Irene first noticed a lump in her right leg in 2019. An initial ultrasound suggested it was a benign lipoma, and she was advised not to worry. Over the next several years, the lump continued to cause intermittent discomfort. By 2025, the pain had increased significantly, and Irene felt strongly that something was not right. […]

Carrie first began experiencing unusual stomach pain in 2018, describing it as a gnawing sensation that often occurred when she had not eaten. At the time, she was under significant stress caring for family members and assumed the pain was related to an ulcer. After delaying medical care for nearly two years, worsening acid reflux […]

Moon was ten years old when she noticed a lump on her left tibia that looked like a small ball. She lived with it for nine months because no one could determine what it was. At one point, doctors planned for an amputation, but during her hospitalization, her parents found an orthopedic specialist in another […]

Taylor’s diagnosis followed years of misattributed symptoms. What began as chronic foot pain was initially diagnosed as plantar fasciitis, supported by imaging that showed bone spurs. For nearly two years, custom insoles seemed to manage her discomfort. In late 2021, however, Taylor noticed a growing mass on her left foot. After sudden swelling and an […]

Angelo’s cancer was discovered in February 2025 after a biopsy of what was believed to be a simple abdominal cyst that had grown quickly. Initially, everything seemed normal, but internal bleeding required him to return to surgery the following day. The biopsy results took time, and by the time they arrived, nearly two months had […]

Valerie is currently NED (no evidence of disease), though the emotional weight of cancer remains a constant presence in her life. While scans show no active disease, she lives with ongoing scan anxiety-a reminder that survivorship can be just as complex as treatment itself. Valerie describes cancer as an isolating diagnosis, one that often goes […]