Patient Stories

Richard J. Smith tells his experience with kidney cancer, which led him to lose weight, be more active, and live a healthy life.

“This is a long journey. I felt like the mythical Jason and his Greek Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece, having to fight the dragon,” says 2-time breast cancer survivor Dr. Hamilton.

Janet Maker, breast cancer survivor and author of The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer, emphasizes the importance of support. Diagnosed in 2011, Janet shared this news with her family and friends, and told them to spread the word. Her initial goal was that she would have fewer people to tell. What came of it was a surge of overwhelming support from individuals whose lives are touched by cancer, one way or another. Listen to Janet tell her story on CONQUER Cam.

Getting ready to start a new chapter in 2010, Chris Devero’s life took an unexpected turn when he learned he had astrocytoma. Read about the lifestyle changes he’s made after his diagnosis.

In a surprising twist of fate, getting lung cancer has led Anne Marie Cerato to have everything she had dreamed of: a devoted husband, a house, a car, fur-babies, and remarkable friends whom she met during her cancer journey.

Thyroid cancer survivor Carly Flumer shares her experience after surgery to remove the tumor. Drawing stares to her neck scar, she has found that lifting heavier weights at the gym helped her gain confidence back.

Joyce Beecher vividly recounts her cancer journey as a caregiver to her husband, Rich Beecher, who was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2003. Listen to Joyce’s story as she describes their determination to find the best care and treatment for Rich, and encourages patients and caregivers to never give up.