Radiation: 614 Real Stories
614 stories match radiation. 511 of them mention surgery.
Stage III Gastric Cancer: Alina’s Survivor Story
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…
Read this storyStage IV Lung Cancer: Joanne’s Patient Story
Joanne Sabol was 65 when a lump in her neck led to imaging and a biopsy in July 2005. She was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer and was initially told that palliative care was her only option. Joanne sought a second opinion at Memorial Sloan Kettering…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Stefanie’s Patient Story
Stefanie London was diagnosed with breast cancer without a family history of the disease. The diagnosis was difficult to absorb, and the prospect of surgery felt especially daunting because her previous hospital experiences had been related to psychiatric…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Rosa’s Survivor Story
Rosa sought a second opinion after a breast lump and redness and swelling led to her cancer diagnosis. Following her doctor's recommendation, she underwent a lumpectomy to remove the tumor, followed by chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormone therapy. She…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Rosalba’s Patient Story
Rosalba's cancer was found unexpectedly, before she had noticed suspicious symptoms. After receiving the diagnosis, she sought confirmation from a more experienced doctor. Her medical team recommended a treatment plan that included lumpectomy, chemotherapy…
Read this storyStage I Breast Cancer: Sofia’s Survivor Story
Sofia experienced burning pain in both breasts for about two years before her diagnosis. An early examination did not identify a clear problem. When the pain returned, mammography, ultrasound and MRI were performed, and ultrasound showed two cysts in the…
Read this storyStage III Breast Cancer: Sol’s Patient Story
Sol had a family history of cancer and sought testing while her sister was undergoing treatment. She was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer after also noticing lumps in her breast. Feeling that she had not received enough information at first, she sought…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Sonia’s Survivor Story
Sonia first noticed burning pain in her breast and a lump that gradually became larger and harder. She went to a general medicine clinic, where a mammogram was ordered. She later had a breast ultrasound that identified the tumor. Because she felt the first…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Susannah’s Patient Story
Susannah describes the breast cancer journey as frightening and isolating. Fear, helplessness, nervousness and worry were especially intense because treatment began during the COVID period, leaving Susannah largely alone through the experience. Doctors…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Renacer’s Survivor Story
Renacer sought medical attention after developing severe breast pain, a lump, and bloody discharge from the nipple. The diagnosis brought fear, worry, and a sense of helplessness. After diagnosis, Renacer exercised more often and ate healthier meals on most…
Read this storyStage IV Breast Cancer: Nathalie’s Patient Story
Nathalie, a homemaker and mother of two from Colombia, had been living with stage 4 breast cancer for more than three years. A strong family history prompted her to seek evaluation after noticing changes in breast shape and areas of thickening. Several…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Nelly’s Patient Story
Nelly, from Colombia, sought medical care after noticing a change in the shape of her breast and a lump. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and felt frightened, nervous, vulnerable, and worried about what the illness would mean for her family. Her…
Read this storyGastric Cancer: Christopher’s Survivor Story
Christopher Lynch was 51 when a headache, vomiting, difficulty eating, and balance problems led him to seek care in early 2016. An endoscopic procedure found stomach cancer, and an MRI then showed a large, deep tumor in his left cerebellum. The brain tumor…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Martha’s Patient Story
Martha learned that she had breast cancer after attending a breast ultrasound. Her doctors recommended mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, and she chose to proceed with all three treatments. Treatment brought hair loss, loss of appetite, and…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Mery’s Patient Story
Mery, from Colombia, learned she had breast cancer during a medical checkup and examination. The diagnosis left her grieving, confused, isolated, and powerless, and she sought a second opinion before deciding on treatment. Her care included mastectomy…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Mia’s Patient Story
Mia sought medical attention after developing breast pain and severe fatigue and was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. The news brought anger, fear, sadness, surprise, and a sense of vulnerability. She did not seek a second opinion. Her treatment included…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Mina’s Survivor Story
Mina had no symptoms when a mammogram found a tumor during health checks arranged in her final month of job-based insurance. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and felt frightened, helpless, and worried. The original treatment plan included…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Camila’s Survivor Story
Camila was 43 when she felt a breast lump while breastfeeding. Her gynecologist initially thought it might be caused by clogged milk ducts, but further testing showed stage 2 breast cancer. The diagnosis left her nervous, worried and powerless, especially as…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Lilibeth’s Survivor Story
Lilibeth, a mother of two from Colombia, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Her family history included an uncle who died from stomach cancer and a maternal aunt who died from leukemia. Her doctor initially recommended a mastectomy. She ultimately…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Lily’s Patient Story
Lily discovered a suspicious breast lump during a self-examination and sought medical evaluation. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. The news made it difficult for her to focus, and she responded by changing her diet and exercising more. Her…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Linda’s Patient Story
Linda’s breast cancer was found after a routine health check led her doctor to recommend an appointment with a breast specialist. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. She had not noticed any symptoms, and the result surprised her because she considered herself…
Read this storyBreast Cancer: Doranci’s Survivor Story
Doranci sought medical attention after finding a painful breast lump that continued to grow and noticing changes in the size and shape of her breast. Her treatment included a mastectomy, lymphadenectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy…
Read this storyStage II Breast Cancer: Aishah’s Survivor Story
Aishah was 51 when she accepted a free mammogram offered through her workplace. The test unexpectedly found a breast lump, and her GP referred her to hospital. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and also experienced irritation of the breast skin…
Read this storyStage IV Lung Cancer: Mary’s Patient Story
Mary Lynn Moser lived through 15 years of cancer, including 5 years with breast cancer and nearly 10 years with lung cancer. A radiologist noticed a lung spot while reading a mammogram, allowing the lung cancer to be detected at Stage III rather than after…
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