I was diagnosed with cancer on September 8, 2022, when I was 25 years old. At the time, life was good — I had just started my final year of undergrad, was living with good friends, and my career path was becoming clear. Before my diagnosis, I had been dealing with odd and worsening abdominal pain, weakness, and a loss of appetite. I never imagined cancer could be the cause.
The night the pain became unbearable, my roommate drove me to the ER. Initially, nothing was found, but an almost afterthought CT scan revealed a grapefruit-sized tumor. From there, life changed quickly. Within a month, I had moved back home, met with doctors, and undergone surgery to remove the tumor. However, there were still tiny tumors in the other side of my liver, so I began chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
A year later, I hoped for a liver transplant but was denied after a small tumor remained. I resumed chemo and immunotherapy, and just recently, when I thought I was close again to transplant, a scan showed small lung nodules. Now, I’m preparing to start chemo for a third time while exploring transplant options at different hospitals. Despite all the setbacks, I’m holding onto hope for a path forward.
Quinn’s LifeList:
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Still deciding