Patient Stories

Gina Stratton was inspired by her granddad, who had advanced-stage lung cancer. She talks about her dealing with her breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 40 while having a full-time job.

Idalina Colburn, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, recounts her transition from helping people with cancer as an oncology nurse to being a patient herself and learning to appreciate every moment of her life.

When Sandra Lewis found out she was a carrier of the BRCA2 gene mutation, she was determined to get informed. She learned to embrace the moment, focused on the facets of her life that she could control, and remembered to smile as part of healing.

At age 24, Nalie Agustin was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. After about 3 years of remission and gaining a large online following through her inspirational writing, videos, and podcasts, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She explains to doctors that their words are as powerful as the treatments they prescribe.

As a part-time personal trainer and a veteran strength athlete with 16 years of competition, Patrick McNamee was shocked to hear that he had stage III rectal cancer, and joked with his oncologist that he was the healthiest guy with cancer around.

Chris Andersen learned the value of trusting one’s instincts and asking for a second opinion after receiving a misdiagnosis of breast cancer that was later diagnosed as metastatic skin cancer and she was told she had 1 to 2 years to live. Thanks to a new treatment for skin cancer, she now has no signs of cancer.