Cancer Interviews

Not long after going in for a colonoscopy in 2015, John Morrissey was told he had Stage One colon cancer. A Denver-based radio traffic reporter, John learned of his diagnosis with a telephone call from his oncologist two minutes before he was scheduled to deliver a live report! He composed himself, delivered a flawless update, then immediately decided he had to take action. In three weeks, he underwent a surgical procedure that successfully removed a cancerous polyp. After three weeks of rest, John returned to work. He goes in for colonoscopies every five years, and cancer-free, has resumed a normal life in Mazatlan, Mexico. John waited until he was 60 years old before getting his first colonoscopy. It revealed some polyps, but on a Wednesday, the doctor wouldn't know if any were cancerous until running some tests. The following Friday, John was just about to conclude his traffic reporting shift. He had one more update to do at 5:58pm. His cellphone rang at 5:56. It was his oncologist. He didn't want to answer this call because he was about to go on the air, but he also didn't want to wait until Monday to learn the test results. He took the call, and that's when he learned he had colon cancer, that he had one cancerous polyp. John Morrissey didn't hesitate and scheduled surgery in three weeks. The procedure was a success, but it caused tremendous pain to his stomach muscles. He rested another three weeks, but during that time, lying down, sitting down, standing up, anything involving his stomach muscles was very painful. However, the pain subsided and he was soon back at work, updating listeners on traffic conditions in and around Denver. John still needs to go in for colonoscopies every five years. Just about the only change in his routine is that he tries to keep his consumption of red meat and processed meats to a minimum. He has moved to Mazatlan, Mexico and enjoys a normal life hanging out at the beach. Additional Resources: Support Group: Colon Cancer Prevention Project: https://www.coloncancerpreventionproject.org

When Steve Harrison experienced fatigue, back soreness and shoulder pain in 2024, he attributed it to his "getting old." He was in his early fifties. But when he began to have difficulty breathing, he sought medical attention. Because Steve also had asthma, his doctor had COPD, she prescribed an inhaler. That did little to no good. He saw another doctor who ran a variety of tests, which found pleural fusion. After a bronchoscopy and a biopsy, he was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. In addition to chemotherapy, the oncologist prescribed a TKI inhibitor, known as tagrisso. After nine treatments, he was taken off chemo, but remains on tagrisso, which is not a cure, but a treatment, and has allowed Steve to get on with his life. He would say his health is roughly 70-80 percent of what it was, pre-diagnosis. Steve's San Diego job as a construction inspector was physically stressful. That's why when was getting tired more often than usual, when he had back and shoulder pain, he did not immediately seek medical attention because he thought it was part of getting old. But things went from bad to worse. In addition to having shortness of breath, he began to get night sweats. He thought he could address these issues with Tylenol and Theraflu. He finally went to his primary care doctor who listened to his chest, thought he had COPD and gave him an inhaler. That worked for one day, then didn't work at all. On a visit to the Grand Canyon, the 6,000-foot elevation really made it tough for him to breath. In addition, he was constantly tired and sore all over. Upon returning to San Diego, he went to the emergency room. Steve underwent a variety of tests. Doctors found pleural fusion, which is fluid inside the lung. They said the fluid needed to be removed. A thoracentesis was performed, which removed about 400cc of a yellowish fluid. Once it was out, Steve could breathe again. Then he underwent another test, a biopsy. It indicated Steve had metastatic Stage IV lung cancer, which had metastasized from the base of his skull to his spine. The cause of the cancer was a mutation, EGFR exon 19 deletion. The oncologist prescribed a two-pronged chemotherapy regimen of carboplatin and pemetrexed for the lung and for the mutation, a TKI inhibitor known as tagrisso. Steve suffered the side effects generally associated with chemotherapy. During his nine treatments, he experienced fatigue, cognitive issues and food tasted terrible. His oncologist eventually took him off the chemo, kept him on the tagrisso. The bone lesions eventually disappeared, and Steve's health has returned to about 70-80 percent of what it was before his diagnosis. Steve says the tagrisso is not a cure, but does keep his lung cancer at bay. By way of advice, he says science has come a long way, so much so that a diagnosis of metastatic Stage IV lung cancer should not be considered a death sentence. He also urges anyone diagnosed with the disease to "dive deep" and stay mentally strong even when it seems that is very hard to do. Additional Resources: Support Group: The A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation https://www.abreathofhope.org Steve's YouTube channel EFGRandme

Prior to his 2025 prostate cancer diagnosis, Stuart Hopgood experienced no symptoms. But a visit to his general practitioner included blood work, which revealed a PSA of 74.2! Stuart was referred to a urologist, who called for a needle-point biopsy. The biopsy not only showed Stuart that he had Stage IV prostate cancer, but that it had metastasized to his pelvic area, a rib and his clavicle. He put on Trelstar, a form of hormonal therapy, six weeks of radiation therapy and Erieada, a form of oral chemotherapy. While Stuart will never be cured, this regimen successfully addressed not only the cancer in his prostate, but the cells that had metastasized. Stuart thought he was in good health. He was an avid golfer and at that point, the worst one could say about his health was that he experienced frequent urination at night. But when I went in for his annual physical, the blood work showed his astronomic PSA. At first, his doctor thought that high number might be due to some sort of infection and prescribed antibiotics. They brought down the PSA somewhat, but Stuart's GP sent him to a urologist, who ordered a scan and a physical examination. That was enough to warrant a needle point biopsy, which indicated Stuart had Stage IV prostate cancer. The urologist called for a PET scan to confirm the staging of the cancer. He also introduced a hormone-based therapy with the drug Trelstar. The PET scan showed the cancer had spread into the pelvic area, his clavicle and one of his ribs. At that point, his care was turned over to a radiation oncologist. The urologist then recommended a combination of radiation therapy and oral chemotherapy. The pill was a new drug, Erieada. Meanwhile, the Trelstar was injected into a muscle three times a month. The radiation took place in 26 sessions over a six-week period. The urologist said there was no cure for Stuart's cancer because it was Stage IV and because with a Gleason score of eight, it was quite aggressive. The urologist said this regimen could extend Stuart's life. The oral chemotherapy was not as invasive as chemotherapy administered through a port, but Stuar said the worst part was the fatigue, which he said could not be aided by sleep. He completed his radiation treatment in August 2025, but from it he still suffers aching muscles and hot flashes. As the treatment went on, progress was made. In March 2026, his PSA had plummeted to just about zero and all the cancer cells that had metastasized were brought under control. Meanwhile, scar tissue associated with the radiation had impeded normal urinary function. To combat that, Stuart underwent a successful surgical procedure called TURP surgery. He still urinates frequently at night and there is some pain tied to the nerve endings in his urinary canal. Overall, Stuart Hopgood is thankful for overcoming so much and being afforded time to spend with his wife, children and grandchildren. Additional Resources: Support Group: The Cancer Association of South Africa https://www.cansa.org.za

In 2015, Andrew Allers was hit and fell while competing in a soccer match. He immediately sought medical attention. and a CT scan revealed a baseball-sized tumor on one of his kidneys, which led to a diagnosis of Stage III renal cell carcinoma, or, kidney cancer. A radical open-assisted nephrectomy removed the entire cancerous kidney. Andrew thought he was in the clear, but in 2019, he was diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer. Not only that, but the cancer had spread to his bones and his brain. However, all of the above was successfully treated with an immunotherapy regimen, including ipilimumab and nivolumab. Physically, Andrew considers his health at about 65 percent of what it was pre-diagnosis, but his cognitive skills are just as sharp as ever. Andrew Allers led an active lifestyle in 2015. From suburban Connecticut, he commuted to his job on Wall Street, but still found the time and energy to compete in an over-40 soccer league. It was during a match that he took a hit, fell on his side. Not only did he think he had broken a rib, but there was blood in his urine. He went to the emergency department. A CT scan was ordered, and it revealed a baseball-sized mass on his kidney. Andrew was referred to a urologist, who checked out the scan and told Andrew he had Stage III kidney cancer. A radical open-assisted nephrectomy was performed to successfully remove the cancerous kidney. However, just two years later while playing tennis, he felt a pain in his back. A biopsy was performed and Stage IV kidney cancer was indicated. In addition, Andrew underwent a bone scan which revealed a tumor in his left hip socket. It was radiated immediately, but to be safe, he was put on an immunotherapy regimen with two agents, ipilimumab and nivolumab. Side effects included a full body rash and muscle aches making it difficult to make up and down stairs. The immunotherapy was supplemented with a rheumatological drug, IVIG, or intravenous immunoglobin. A few months later, his tumors had shrunk measurably. There was yet another issue for Andrew. He experienced problems with his left field of vision, and underwent a CT scan, which he had a pair of brain tumors. For that he underwent a successful surgical procedure in May 2020. These days from a physical perspective, Andrew Allers says his health is about 65 percent of what it was before his soccer accident. His biggest setback is that he can no longer run. He says his cognitive skills have not suffered and that his mental health is better than ever. Additional Resources: Support Group: The Kidney Cancer Association https://www.kidneycancer.org Patients Stories Andrew has written for The Kidney Cancer Association: https://www.kidneycancer.org/andrew-allers/ https://www.kidneycancer.org/andrew-allers-plan/

In 2024, Dominique Bieger knew something was wrong when she felt a tickling, biting sensation in her left breast. After a series of mammograms, an echogram, an ultrasound and a vacuum assisted biopsy, she learned she had invasive ductal carcinoma, or breast cancer. She would have to get a quadrant of the cancerous breast surgically removed. Dominique was happy to learn she could avoid chemotherapy, instead for hormonal treatment, featuring letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor. The letrozole left her hands, her feet and joints in severe pain. She went off the letrozole and is investigating another post-surgery regimen. Much of the pain is gone, leaving Dominique free to pursue a career as a chef. When Dominique noticed this irritating sensation in her left breast, she did not immediately seek medical attention. Because various cousins had been diagnosed with the BRCA mutation, in 2019, Dominique underwent a mammogram which showed she did not have the mutation. She underwent another mammogram in 2023, which again showed her breasts to be cancer-free. However, she had another mammogram done in 2025, along with a vacuum assisted biopsy. Days later, the hospital called her and asked her to come in. When she did, she was told she had invasive ductal carcinoma in a quadrant of her left breast, and the cancer had to be removed. After a successful surgical procedure, Dominique was told she would not have to be put on chemotherapy. Instead, a hormonal regimen would suffice. Its primary ingredient was letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor. She also underwent fifteen rounds of radiation treatment. Dominique said the letrozole was very difficult as it resulted in pain in her hands, feet and joints. At times, it also made her depressed. To make matters worse, her work was done on the computer, and she was in too much pain to work. Dominique Bieger is off the letrozole. She and her care team and trying to craft a regimen that will be effective without resulting in so much pain. By way of advice, Dominique says if your doctor suggests a certain schedule for you to get a mammogram, to follow that schedule. It can make the difference between staying in front of breast cancer and getting a diagnosis. Additional Resources: Dominique's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DominiqueJoileSmallWonders Dominique's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-florence-b-80354417

For David Peters, what began as medical attention to address an enlarged prostate in 2022 became a diagnosis of Stage 4B prostate cancer. Prior to his undergoing a Rezum procedure, a pre-op workup a PSA level of 19. However, nobody at the hospital bothered to check the PSA level before performing the procedure, which placed David at great risk. Not long after that came his diagnosis. David's care team recommended lifelong androgen deprivation therapy. He checked out the side effects and didn't want to go that route. David instead opted for a three-week to Hope4Cancer in Cancun, Mexico, where he underwent an intense holistic regimen. In 2026, when the cancer spread to his bones, he went to the First Nations Clinic in Tennessee, where he is undergoing a nanotherapeutics protocol. It is keeping the cancer at bay, and he enjoys a healthy lifestyle. David said his cancer journey did not begin with cancer symptoms. The combination of frequent urination and a weak stream led him to believe he had an enlarged prostate and went to a doctor. He had many options, but chose a Rezum procedure, in which steam into the prostate through the rectal wall and it shrinks the prostate. However, the care team wanted to first make sure David didn't have prostate cancer, so he was given a PSA test. This was in May of 2022. In August, the surgery was performed; but it wasn't until September that a nurse informed him that his PSA level was dangerously high at 19, meaning the surgery was performed when his risk for cancer was high, but the care team didn't know it! Not long after that, David Peters was diagnosed with Stage 4B prostate cancer, which had spread to his sacrum, iliac chain and a node near his rib cage. His oncologist discussed with Dave various treatment options, but urged him to immediately begin a regimen of androgen deprivation therapy, which would basically shut off his testosterone. It did not David and his wife, Kathi, to agree this was not the way to go, and they opted to see remedies that were more holistic in nature. After some research by David and Kathi, they decided to Hope4Cancer in Mexico, where he would undergo intensive testing and holistic work. He really appreciated that Hope4Cancer treats body, soul and spirit with an eye toward wholeness. He experimented with a raw vegan diet and with fasting. David ended up being more diligent about the meats and vegetables he ate. David continued his cancer journey in February 2026 at the First Nations Clinic in Tennessee, where he began a protocol of nanotherapeutics. They disrupt the cancer cells, and for the first time in three years his PSA went down. He goes to the clinic once a month. David Peters is happy to report he weighs 150 pounds, like he did in high school. He walks every day, exercises three times and does pushups every day. Additional Resources: David's Website: https://www.threewordsdoc.com

In May 2022, Tina Calderone-Roth felt terrible. She was experiencing fatigue, shortness of breath and nausea. She also gained close to 15 pounds in three days. Nurses she knew suggested she go to the emergency department. Two paracentesis procedures resulted in the removal of 6.5 liters of fluid. Doctors initially noticed a large abdominal mass, but further tests indicated ovarian masses of 7cm and 10cm. Tests also showed Tina had the BRCA-2 gene mutation. She opted to, all at once, undergo a hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy. A week after the procedure, it was learned there had been Stage 1B cancer in both ovaries. Tina was next put on six rounds of chemotherapy with carbo-taxol, avastin and the PARP inhibitor, lynparaza. Because of the BRCA-2 gene mutation and with it, the possibility of breast, she decided to get a bilateral mastectomy. Tina reached survivorship and these days, while she can no longer run, she can jog and power walk. Tina had been working for more than two decades in the care management sector of health care in 2022, when her health took a sudden turn for the worse. She was feeling unusually tired, had shortness of breath and her weight shot up by 15 pounds in three days. She had no idea what was going on, but consulted friends who were nurses, and they suggested she go to the emergency department, which she did in the middle of a workday. Tina underwent a CT scan, ultrasound, electrocardiogram, blood work and genetic testing. A subsequent pair of paracentesis procedure removed a combined 6.5 liters of fluid, which explained her sudden, sharp weight gain. Those tests also showed she had a large abdominal mass. Further tests were conducted and they revealed two large ovarian masses, measuring roughly 7cm and 10cm. Meanwhile, the genetic testing revealed Tina had the BRCA-2 gene mutation. She did not want to have multiple surgeries, so she elected to have a hysterectomy along with the removal of both ovaries. About a week later, it was determined the ovaries were cancerous. She and her care team settled on a six-round chemotherapy regimen of carbo-taxol, avastin and the PARP inhibitor, lynparaza. Like many dealing with chemotherapy, Tina was fatigued, had nausea and suffered hair loss, but got through it. She was still concerned about the possibility of being diagnosed with breast cancer because of the gene mutation, so she decided to undergo a bilateral mastectomy. If Tina Calderone-Roth's health before her diagnosis could be considered 100 percent, these days she considers her health to be at 90 percent. While she can no longer run, Tina says she can jog and power walk. Additional Resources: Tina's Book: "Where Fears Meets Faith," available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com, in paperback and Kindle

Bethany Smith is a fighter. Almost immediately after surviving Hodgkin lymphoma, she was diagnosed with metastatic follicular thyroid cancer. In addition to having her thyroid removed, she also underwent total hip replacement. All this while raising three small children. Treatment of her lymphoma included a chemotherapy regimen of adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbzin. Her treatment for thyroid cancer featured radioactive iodine. Bethany credits oxygen therapy for helping her to become free of thyroid cancer and these maintains her health with levothyroxine. Bethany cannot tell you exactly when she first detected in the vicinity of her thyroid. It had been there for years when her mother visited, saw the lump and insisted she seek medical attention. This led to a series of scans and the discovery of a second lump near her clavicle. A biopsy of the lump on her collarbone resulted in a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma in the Autumn of 2022, while the biopsy of the lump on her thyroid came back as "indeterminant." Bethany's care team said it would turn its attention to the thyroid lump after addressing her lymphoma diagnosis. She was placed on a six-month regimen of ABVD chemotherapy, which included adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine. Bethany suffered many of the usual side effects tied to chemo, including fatigue, nausea and hair loss. The latter forced her to cut her hair short and then the purchase of a half dozen wigs of different colors. Bethany attained survivorship from Hodgkin lymphoma, but halfway through her chemo, she underwent a PET scan, which showed two lesions, one on her C5 vertebrae and one on hip. She underwent a biopsy on the lump on her thyroid in the Spring of 2023, which not only indicated follicular thyroid cancer, but that it had metastasized to the bones in her vertebrae and right hip. Bethany had to undergo a thyroidectomy and because was eating away at her right hip, it, too, had to be removed. In September 2023, she began a three-dose regimen of radioactive iodine, which forced her to be kept in isolation. She was given another CT scan that revealed that cancer was in twelve places in her bones. Bethany said the pain of her hip replacement exceeded that of three times giving birth without painkillers. She says she is able to walk just fine these days, walking that includes her love for hiking, and her lack of a thyroid is successfully addressed with levothyroxine, which replaces the hormones lost when her thyroid was removed. Bethany Smith has experienced the physical toll of her two cancer journeys, but then and now, she deals with everything that has come her way with her natural and boundless sense of optimism. Additional Resources: Bethany's app: https://www.stillcancercompanion.com Bethany's YouTube channel: Bethany Smith Cancer

It wasn't easy, but Thomas Goode managed to survive Stage III multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer that originates in bone marrow. When he first experienced pain in his left shoulder, it was misdiagnosed as bursitis. Then he underwent a stem cell transplant no less than three times, with his oldest brother donating the bone marrow for the final two procedures. Thomas has achieved Minimal Residual Disease status and says his physical health is roughly 70 percent of what it was, pre-diagnosis. In 2005, Thomas Goode was leading an active lifestyle. It included bicycle riding and working out. But when he was on vacation with his family, he went to the gym and suddenly experienced acute pain in his left shoulder. He went to his family doctor who said Thomas had bursitis and prescribed pain pills. Thomas was skeptical of this diagnosis because it came because no scans were performed. He sought a second opinion and went to his orthopedic surgeon. The doctor called for an MRI and it revealed a tumor near his shoulder and said it was the source of Thomas' pain. He had the tumor biopsied and it showed a plasmacytoma, cancer that progress to become multiple myeloma. Thomas underwent six weeks of radiation treatment. The pain went away, but it returned. Thomas' multiple myeloma specialist suggested a stem cell transplant, an option Thomas accepted. It began with induction therapy, backed by doxil, vincristine and dexamethasone, aimed at bringing his white blood cell down to a number that would allow for a stem cell transplant. However, the procedure didn't work. The specialist recommended a second stem cell transplant. Thomas learned his oldest brother was a perfect for a bone marrow transplant. The second stem cell transplant included compath, fludarabine and melphalan. It also didn't work, so a third one was performed with velcade, doxil and vorinostat. Thomas followed this with eight days of radiation. His care team proclaimed Thomas is Minimal Residual Disease-negative. Thomas Goode says his health is about 70 percent of what it was before his diagnosis. He can still work out but acknowledges he will always have some level of back pain. By way of advice, he would tell anyone diagnosed with multiple myeloma that the disease is not a death sentence. He says that's because there are more treatment options and better treatment options than when he was diagnosed. Additional Resources: Thomas' Support Group: Triangle Area Myeloma Support Group

In March 2025, Keri Darling fell out of bed and hit her head. A trip to the doctor revealed a large mass on her pancreas. After a series of scans, Keri received a phone call at work from a nurse who told her she had cancer; not cancer of the pancreas, but a type of blood cancer, Stage IV follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She was put on a regimen of chemotherapy, bendamustine, followed by immunotherapy, rituximab. Keri has achieved survivorship, but each day deals with severe fatigue, which she believes is tied to her chemo regimen. She still goes in for bimonthly injections of rituximab and says he expects to always be dealing with some level of fatigue. Nonetheless, she finds the time and energy to help others as a cancer coach. Two years prior to March 2025, Keri was constantly feeling fatigued. This was annoying, but she had no idea what was behind her feeling so tired so often. Then in the middle of the night on a Friday, she got out of bed, fell and hit her head. She and her husband went to the emergency room. After some scans, doctors detected a large mass on Keri's pancreas. She and her husband were terrified that she had pancreatic cancer. A nurse referred her to an oncologist and a gastroenterologist. Keri said this wasn't a good time for her to deal with a potential cancer diagnosis. She was just about to start a new job and the insurance from her previous job was going to lapse in a week. A nurse urged Keri to get insurance through COBRA, which she did. Nonetheless, she still had to juggle her health and a new job. She went to a GI doctor who performed a biopsy. Keri was at work when she received a call from a nurse telling her she had been diagnosed not with pancreatic cancer, but with Stage IV follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In terms of treatment, she was given three options and chose a mix of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The chemotherapy was bendamustine and the immunotherapy was rituximab. Keri said she had been prescribed medication to combat the ensuing nausea, but that the toughest part of her chemo regimen was the constant fatigue. She was also plagued with cognitive issues that resulted in post-its all over her home and a lot of attention paid to the calendar on her phone. Keri Darling says if she thinks to the time before she started feeling constant fatigue in 2023, and thought of her health as 100 percent, now her health is at around 40 percent. She says every day she feels fatigued. It is merely a question of how fatigued she will feel, but she approaches each day as a chance for her health to improve over the previous day. Additional Resources: Keri's coaching website: https://www.nexttogether.co (NOT .com)

Alan Morton experienced symptoms associated with prostate cancer, but it was some time before he sought medical attention. Dating back to his teens, he had had a subpar urine flow, but in his sixties, he began to see blood in his urine. He thought it might be a urinary tract infection, but when nothing had changed six months later, he contacted his doctor. After various scans, a digital rectal exam and a biopsy, Alan was told he had Stage 3B prostate cancer. It was later determined the cancer had metastasized to his pelvic and was re-diagnosed as Stage 4 Incurable. He was placed on a hormone regimen including the injection of a drug called decapeptyl. Alan said the side effects were awful, including fatigue, loss of muscle mass, weight gain and a severe loss of testosterone. He suspects he will be on the hormone regimen for the rest of his life, but Alan Morton calls himself a prostate cancer endurant. He still engages in hiking, and despite the handicaps, seeks to live life to the fullest. It was in 2023 when Alan began to pass blood in his urine. He didn't think this development was worth sharing with his wife or his doctor. However, his wife saw what she thought was dark urine when Alan went to the bathroom and forgot to flush. He told her he was passing blood and she immediately made a doctor's appointment for him. Alan submitted to a digital rectal exam and provided a urine sample. Although he thought the sample was "crystal clear," the doctor said the sample included "microscopic blood." He was called in for another appointment, provided another blood sample. From that and a biopsy, he received a diagnosis of Stage 3B prostate cancer. Because of neck trauma stemming from a long ago auto accident, Alan could have his prostate removed. His care team concluded the only available treatment option would be a hormone regimen, starting with androgen deprivation therapy, or ADT. He said the effect it had on his body was awful. They included fatigue, severe loss of testosterone, hair loss, plus weight gain in various places, among them, his breasts. He was subsequently prescribed the injection of a drug, decapeptyl, and a pill called bucalutamide, designed to stop the growth of the tumor. The ADT regimen stopped in October 2024, but the following month he began to pass blood again. To make matters worse, his PSA, once at 0.037, rose sharply to 6.39 in April 2026. Alan underwent a bone scan that indicated his cancer had spread to his pelvis. He is back on ADT and expects he will be for the rest of his life. Alan says his urinary function is outstanding but would rate his sexual function at something like 20 to 30 percent of what it was pre-diagnosis. Alan Morton does not call himself a survivor of cancer, but rather an endurant. He knows given his diagnosis and his hormone regimen, he is at reduced capacity, but aspires to live a full, rich life. Additional Resources: Support Group: Fans for the Cure: https://www.fansforthecure.org

Shannon Miller won seven Olympic medals as a gymnast in 1992 and 1996. She did so against topflight competition, but years later, she faced a more formidable foe: a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Her tumor was successfully removed through a procedure called a Unilatera Salpingo-Oophorectomy, but two weeks after that, she learned it more malignant than originally thought. Aided by the mental toughness she exhibited as an elite athlete, Shannon went on a grueling, nine-week regimen of BEP chemotherapy and reached survivorship. In 2011, Shannon experienced bloating, stomach aches and weight loss. She dismissed them as symptoms attached to her just having had a son. When it came time for a checkup, she told her doctor she felt fine, but after a scan, Shannon was told she wasn't fine because the scan revealed a baseball-sized cyst in her left ovary, and that surgery was needed. At that time it was not known if the cyst was benign or malignant. At first she had to sit through an agonizing four to five weeks of 'wait and observe.' Shannon underwent a laparotomy and a unilatera salpingo-oophorectomy, in which the left ovary was removed and with it, the tumor. Shannon was a bit woozy from her various medications when she regained consciousness. It was then that she was told the mass was cancerous. Shannon and her husband felt like celebrating because the cancer had been removed. However, bad news was around the corner. About two weeks later, she received a call from her oncologist. He said that the tumor had a higher degree of malignancy than originally anticipated. This meant Shannon would have to undergo nine weeks of extremely aggressive chemotherapy, BEP chemotherapy. She said it was the hardest thing she had ever had to do. In addition to the predictable hair loss, there was the nausea in addition to hydration issues, all this while was trying to raise a toddler. In an early stage of the nine-week regimen, Shannon questioned whether she could complete it; but she called on the mental toughness that enabled her to excel as an elite athlete, finished the chemo on May 2, 2011, and was declared cancer free. She was nauseous for another year and says to this day she sometimes has cognitive issues, but experienced continued progress and began to feel a little better and a bit more like herself with each passing day. Shannon Miller says hers is a journey with no finish line. She tries to survive each day and is grateful for the life she enjoys with husband and two children. Additional Resources: Shannon's websites: Salto Health https://www.saltohealth.com https://www.shannonmiller.com Shannon's book: It's Not About Perfect: Competing for my Country and Fighting for my Life

Dale Atkinson Description In 2024, Dale Atkinson was diagnosed with Stage IV esophageal cancer. His diagnosis preceded by the death of his mother and was preceded by his partner being diagnosed with lung cancer. All this in the space of a few weeks. Dale was active in sports and consumed a healthy diet, but in 2019 began to suffer chronic acid reflux. His symptoms were repeatedly treated as acid reflux, but it wasn't until 2024 that he underwent an endoscopy, which immediately revealed a tumor and a diagnosis of Stage IV esophageal cancer. Dale was told he didn't have long to live and was immediately placed in palliative care. However, he did extensive research and essentially designed his own care plan, combining conventional chemotherapy and immunotherapy with non-mainstream remedies. In 2025, the tumor shrank and he was declared to have No Evidence of Disease. In 2019, Dale Atkinson was still in his twenties, was on a vegetarian diet and was active in four sports, including rugby. Then he began to experience chronic acid reflux and heartburn. Sleep was interrupted by rising into his throat. He had difficulty swallowing. Dale sought medical attention, but his symptoms were repeatedly treated as reflux. In 2024, Dale was scheduled for an endoscopy. Because his partner had just been diagnosed with lung cancer, she could not drive, and because of that, Dale was not anesthetized for the procedure. As a result, along with his care team, he viewed the endoscopy, which showed a 9.2cm tumor and with it a diagnosis of Stage IV esophageal cancer. Doctors told Dale he did not have long to live and that his only treatment option was palliative care. He was diagnosed on October 12, 2024. Nine days earlier, his partner was diagnosed with lung cancer and on October 27, his mother passed away. Overwhelmed with devastating news, once it all sunk in, Dale decided he would let determination spearhead his journey, determination and not fear. His palliative care regimen was supposed to consist of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, but Dale said he approximately 5,000 research paper, concluded which non-traditional therapies could be of help and asked that his regimen include a combination of the non-mainstream medications along with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. He learned in January 2025 his tumor decreased in size, he was able to swallow normally and could go hours at a time without any pain. He was declared No Evidence of Disease, and thought things were getting back to normal. He got off his protocol, but in March, cancer symptoms returned. Dale got back on his protocol, and months later, again was declared NED. He still suffers from chemo-related brain fog but enjoys life with his partner and two young sons. Additional Resources: Dale's charity: "Beyond the Standard." Dale's blog: https://www.thelifeorganic.com Dale's fitness center: https://www.peakhealthandfitness.co.uk

Early in Dr, Jessa Landmann's medical training, she discovered a need for attention given to those after they had received treatment for cancer. The post-treatment phase can be difficult physically, mentally and emotionally. Nutrition, what survivors eat, how much they eat and when they eat is where she starts in dealing with those going through the multi-layered challenges of post-treatment. Dr. Landmann urges those in the post-treatment phase to be proactive and seek direction from healthcare professionals. Dr. Landmann is by trade a naturopathic doctor. At the forefront of her care for those who have been treated for cancer is what is known as complimentary therapies. She says this is an "umbrella term" for everything from exercise to nutrition to acupuncture to mindfulness and meditation and herbal supplements. When she encounters one in the post-treatment phase, the thing she sees most is fatigue. Patients tell her the bulk of the treatment may be in the past, but they still feel exhausted. She seeks to utilize the therapies in her toolbox to make post-treatment patients feel better physically, mentally and emotionally. When there is improvement in all three areas, then she says survivors are more apt to as best as possible, return to the life they led before they were diagnosed. Before her caring for survivors become more multi-faceted, Jessa starts by trying to improve their diet. She says a lot of people experience eating problems during treatment, whether it is from nausea or a change in appetite or changes in taste or certain medications like steroids for example increase people's appetite, so maybe they are eating more than they usually do, maybe they gain some weight, or a lot of people want that comfort food, maybe they are not eating in the healthiest way. That's when she takes a deep dive into the person's eating habits, making sure there is enough protein, enough fruits and vegetables, not a lot of processed food. She also watches the time of day in which the person is eating. For example, if someone eats late at night he or she can have more frequent night-time awakenings. That might lead to poor sleep and fatigue during the day. Dr. Jessa Landmann says the best thing a survivor can do is to look into ways in which they can improve the post-treatment phase of their cancer journey. There is much more to optimized healing during this difficult time, but she says a great place to start is being proactive about diet and exercise and to try to do as many things as the survivor did before they were diagnosed. Additional Resources: Jessa's website: https://www.drjessalandmann.com Jessa's Book: "Beyond Cancer Fatigue: A Path to Reclaiming Energy", available on Amazon, but Cancer Interviews listeners and viewers can take advantage of a 20 percent discount if they purchase the book on the Wiley Publishing website by entering the code BCF20 at checkout.

Mike Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1999. That he is still with us in and of itself is amazing; what is even more incredible is that he later learned he had been walking around with symptoms of the disease since 1986! When he initially reported the symptoms to doctors, they performed some tests and claimed at worst he had a twisted bowel. Mike went to a different doctor who ran an MRI and a CT scan and told Mike he had pancreatic cancer. After discussing the diagnosis with his wife, they decided to be proactive and opted for a Whipple Procedure, a complex, 13-hour procedure that got rid of hundreds of tiny tumors on his pancreas. However, in 2018, more tumors were back. They were removed with a nanoknife procedure, but Mike was told for the rest of his life he would have to take lanreotide, a monthly injection to keep the tumors at bay. His health seemed to be just fine until 1986, when Mike experienced pain shooting through his abdomen and back. He found himself with severe diarrhea and sustained vomiting for twenty minutes at a time. Mike sought medical attention. Despite doctors running various tests, they said there was nothing wrong with him that indicated cancer, and that the worst possible scenario was twisted bowel. In 1999, Mike went to another doctor who performed a CT scan and an MRI. Shortly thereafter, he and his wife were called to the doctor's office where they were told Mike had pancreatic cancer. The doctor urged Mike to undergo a Whipple Procedure to get rid of hundreds of small tumors on his pancreas. When he asked the doctor of the consequences should Mike pass on the Whipple Procedure, Mike was told the consequences could be sudden death because the tumors could "explode." Mike and his wife chose to go ahead with the Whipple Procedure. It was a 13-hour surgery. Mike had his gall bladder, bile duct and part of his pancreas removed. Then the bile duct was re-attached to his small intestine so that he could eat and digest food. Mike said his recovery from the procedure took close to one year, but the tumors were gone. All seemed well for Mike until 2018 when two tumors were detected. This time he underwent a nanoknife procedure. He was told the tumors were gone, but in 2024, they reappeared. His doctor told him that for the rest of his life, Mike would have to get a monthly injection of lanreotide, aimed at keeping the tumors from spreading. Mike Fitzpatrick is glad to be alive, but suffers from neuropathy, which results in chronic fatigue and a loss of balance. Additional Resources: The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: https://www.pancan.org The Cancer Support Studio: https://www.cancersupportstudio.com The One Cancer Place Institute: https://www.onecancerplace.org Mike's Blog: 50 for Fitz, available on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

Michelle Reed is still with us after being diagnosed with NMI bladder cancer in 2018; but she will stop short of saying she has survived the disease. Since surgery to remove a 7mm mass, she has had ten recurrences. Post-treatment included a chemotherapy regimen of gemcitabine, which she says she will be taking for the rest of her life. Managing her cancer consists of making she comes in for her scheduled scans and listening to her body. Michelle does much to help others as they battle cancer through her book and her website. In 2018, Michelle Reed had a lot on her plate. Her son had just been in an auto accident and while she was caring for him and working at a full time job, she noticed blood in her urine. With all she had going on, she was slow to seek medical attention, but when the condition wouldn't go away, she went to an urgent care. She made five such visits, each time being told she probably just had a urinary tract infection or mini kidney stones. Michelle had friends who had suffered kidney stones, knew they were quite painful, and that tipped her off, that the diagnoses she had received at the urgent care were inaccurate. She eventually saw a urologist who conducted a FISH test, which stands Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization urinalysis, which combined with a CT scan, revealed a 7mm mass on her bladder. Her doctor said it was urgent that Michelle undergo surgery to remove the mass. He added that a best-case scenario was complete removal of the mass after which she could go home, while a worst-case scenario would her being hooked up to a bag for the rest of her life. Thankfully, the entire mass was removed. However, Michelle Reed will never say she has 'survived' bladder cancer. After the surgery, she was put on a chemotherapy regimen of gemcitabine. She says she will always be on that regimen. Michelle also says since her diagnosis, she has had no less than ten recurrences of bladder cancer, requiring several surgeries. She also knows there is the possibility that another surgical procedure could be in her future. Michelle says the quality of her urinary function varies from day to day, and that also will be with her for the rest of her life, as well as fatigue that is a byproduct of her treatment. By way of advice to others who find themselves 'managing' their cancer, she says to be sure to be present for all your scheduled appointments and listen to your body. Michelle Reed makes a steadfast effort to help others battling cancer with a book anda website. Additional Resources: Michelle's Book: Cancer Care Book Michelle's Website: https://www.cancersupportstudio.com

John Walker Pattison is still with us despite two protracted battles with cancer. He was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma in 1975 and relapsed three times. Then in 2018, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer, a diagnosis after which he relapsed once. After his lymphoma diagnosis, treatment included an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, which included nitrogen mustard, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisolone. John said effects from the chemo hampered his fight with bladder cancer and still affect him today, although his urinary function is just fine. John was in his late teens when he began to experience fatigue, night sweats, recurring cough and weight loss, among other symptoms. He was doing heavy lifting in the shipbuilding business, had difficulty at work and one day on the job he collapsed. Realizing he needed medical attention, he underwent scans and biopsies, and they led to a diagnosis of Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma. He was told his chances of recovery were slim. In May 1975, his care team prescribed a chemotherapy cocktail of nitrogen mustard, prednisolone, procarbazine and vincristine, which only added to a high degree of fear he had for his future. Things went from bad to worse when he was informed that the chemo regimen didn't work and he relapsed. In April 1976, he was put on a different regimen with cyclophosphamide taking the place of nitrogen mustard. That, too, was ineffective, resulting in another relapse. In December of that year, his care team tried radiotherapy, again with no success. In April 1977, John went on a regimen of palliative chemotherapy, with single agent vinblastine. On a subsequent visit, his oncologist raised his arms in triumph and shocked John by telling him he was cancer free. John Walker Pattison thought cancer was in his rear-view mirror, but in 2018, while traveling by air, he discovered blood in his urine. He was a health care professional and immediately knew something was wrong. Again seeking medical attention, he was diagnosed with Grade II Transitional Cell Bladder Carcinoma. He underwent surgery, followed by bladder installation of mitomycin chemotherapy. That was followed by transurethral laser ablation in 2020. Not long after that procedure, again, John was told he was cancer free. John Walker Pattison enjoys normal urinary function, but says he will be dealing with the side effects of the chemotherapy and radiotherapy he underwent in the seventies. That said, John wants to help others diagnosed with cancer. He has written a book, "Shadow of a Survivor," which he hopes will be a source of hope and inspiration. Additional Resources: John's Book, "Shadow of a Survivor," available on Amazon John's Website, https://www.johnpattison.co.uk

The average age in which people are diagnosed with colon cancer continues to drop. Louisville-based gastroenterologist Ben Evans, MD says for decades the conventional wisdom was that one should begin getting screened for colon cancer at age 50. Now, he says you should learn your family history with colon cancer and colon polyps, and with that as your guide, you should start screening as early as your twenties. Dr. Evans says that while the colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon screening, there are stool-based testing alternatives that can be done in the privacy of your home. However, he notes that if one of the home-based tests reveal a positive result, you will need to undergo a colonoscopy. Intense research has yet to come up with an answer as to why those being diagnosed with colon cancer are getting increasingly younger. Dr. Evans says the mortality rate for those diagnosed with cancer continues to climb while to varying degrees, the mortality rate is dropping for all other types of cancer. In addition to checking your family history with colon cancer, you can help yourself by living a healthy lifestyle. Dr. Evans suggests quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake and consumption of processed foods, while being sure to load up on fruits and vegetables. Dr. Evans says you should be aware of colon cancer symptoms. They include bloody stool, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain. If any of these symptoms materialize, he says you should not leave anything to chance and seek medical attention. Additional Resources: Support Group: The Colon Cancer Prevention Project: https://www.coloncancerpreventionproject.org

In 2018, for Cindy Koerner, pain in her right breast led to a diagnosis of Stage 3A breast cancer. She was put on a three-pronged, high-dosage chemotherapy regimen of epirubicin, nab-paclitataxel and cyclophosphamide. The cyclophosphamide compromised her immune system, resulting in fatigue and fever. The chemo regimen shut down her ovaries, but when they became active about a year later, Cindy was told if they remained active, the possibility of a relapse would increase, so she opted to have them removed. These days, Cindy believes her health is at approximately 80 percent of what it was before her diagnosis, but she admits she gets tired easily, which prevents her from doing activities that she thinks would leave her exhausted. Cindy's cancer journey began in 2018 when she felt pain behind the nipple in her right breast. The pain would leave, only to return when her menstrual cycle returned. She saw her gynecologist, who called for an ultrasound, which the doctor said did not reveal anything abnormal. When the pain continued to come and go, she went back to the gynecologist. Another ultrasound, the gynecologist said revealed nothing unusual. However, in 2020, she noticed a change in the shape of her breast and that it included a dimple. Another trip to the doctor and another scan indicated a tumor and a diagnosis of Stage 3A breast cancer. Cindy later learned that such a diagnosis should have provided her with multiple treatment options, but at the time her care team told her she would be going on an aggressive regimen of chemotherapy. Because of the advent of COVID, treatment was made more difficult for Cindy from an emotional perspective because she had to remain in isolation. The regimen included epirubicin, nab-paclitaxel and cyclophosphamide. She had to come in for a dosage every two weeks. Like many on chemotherapy, Cindy suffered hair loss, but she said the cyclophosphamide was the roughest. It played havoc with her immune system, leading to fatigue, fever and depression. However, this was not the only hurdle in her journey. Cindy's tumor was hormone receptor positive, which reacted to the estradiol in her body. This had implications for her ovaries. The chemo had rendered them inactive, but about a year later, they became active again. She was told when the ovaries are active, that increases the possibility of the cancer returning. As a result, with injections of zoladex, a GnRH analogon, she opted to have her ovaries removed. Cindy Koerner has returned to work as a cancer biologist with the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg. She says her health is about 80 percent of what it was before her diagnosis and there are some activities she avoids because she fears they would leave her exhausted. Cindy is also a cancer patient advocate. Among her messages to patients is to have a heightened awareness of their treatment options, which she admits she didn't have at the time of her diagnosis.

At age four, Hope Nightingale complained of severe pain in her legs. At first, her parents thought she was just being a hypochondriac. That changed when she fell off her scooter and broke the distal femur in her left leg. The following year, 2011, this led to a diagnosis of Stage II osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. After a regimen of neoadjuvant chemotherapy featuring cisplatin and doxorubicin, Hope underwent a surgical procedure, a vascularized fibula transplant. Her left femur was removed, and her right fibula was inserted in its place. Confined to a wheelchair and then crutches at such a young age, Hope underwent extensive physiotherapy rehabilitation so that she could relearn how to walk despite her left leg being 2cm shorter than her right leg. Hope has survived and is training to compete in a half marathon! Hope says as a four-year-old she was often accused of overreacting to just about everything. So, when she complained of pain in her legs, her parents did not take the complaints seriously. That changed when she fell off her scooter, couldn't get up and her parents discovered she had broken her left leg. She had her distal femur x-rayed. That led to a biopsy, and, at age five, a diagnosis of Stage II osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. Treatment was to begin with neoadjuvant chemotherapy aimed at shrinking the tumor. Hope said unlike many people, outside of hair loss, she suffered few nasty side effects. Next was a vascularized fibula transplant. The cancerous left distal femur was removed and was replaced by her right fibula. A result of this surgery was the loss of both her quadricep muscles. Hope returned to school, but in a wheelchair with casts on both legs. This did not go unnoticed by her classmates, most of whom wanted to know what happened. Hope says her diagnosis was not a blessing, but she felt blessed that her diagnosis took place at such a young age, when she was unable to process it in full. She said physically, it was tough being in a wheelchair, but emotionally it was tougher because at recess, she wanted to join her friends, running around and playing. Hope said it was amazing that sometimes her chums would halt their activities and gather around her to include her in their fun. Hope eventually got out of the wheelchair and was on crutches, but that, too, was frustrating because she wanted to be ambulatory, like her friends. At this time, Hope Nightingale had to relearn how to walk, which involved extensive physiotherapy rehabilitation. As if that were not tough enough, the surgery left her left leg 2cm shorter than her right leg. She went to a specialist who gave her a wedge to put in her left shoe, removing the discrepancy in the length of her legs. These days, Hope leads an active lifestyle. She enjoys going to the beach near her hometown of Cape Town and to the mountains and vineyards outside of town. Not only is she walking, but Hope is training to run a half marathon. Additional Resources: Support Group: Cancer Association of South Africa https://www.cansa.org.za