What happened, in summary

Alina described feeling frightened, nervous, and worried after learning about a Stage III gastric cancer diagnosis. The experience also brought disbelief, resentment, and periods of emotional numbness. After diagnosis, Alina began eating more healthfully and exercising more often.

Treatment included a local resection to remove part of the gastric wall, radiotherapy, and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Insurance did not fully cover the PRRT, leaving Alina to pay part of the cost. Nutritional supplements were also used during the treatment period.

After completing treatment, Alina reported being in remission. Healthy eating and increased exercise remained part of daily life, and Alina continued regular medical checkups because recurrence was a major concern. The cancer experience also changed relationships: Alina spent more time keeping in touch with parents and looked forward to activities such as a family hiking trip, dragon boating with coworkers, and eventually running the Boston Marathon. Alina’s advice to others was to stay informed and work closely with their doctors on treatment decisions.