Navigating life with a cancer diagnosis is never easy, especially when facing the challenges of Allysia’s cancer journey through stage 4 cancer. Allysia’s journey began when she noticed unusual changes in her body. Despite her active lifestyle—working out regularly and squatting 225 pounds—she started to feel an overwhelming fatigue that she couldn’t ignore. Her legs began cramping, and soon she was experiencing debilitating pelvic pain that made it nearly impossible for her to lie down without excruciating discomfort.
The Road to Diagnosis
Concerned about her symptoms, Allysia scheduled an appointment with her OBGYN. The doctor suspected fibroids or ulcers but noted that something significant was amiss; she could feel an abnormal growth in Allysia’s pelvic region. This prompted a referral to the Women’s Cancer Center at the Dyson Cancer Center at Mahsa Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York.
After undergoing an MRI in late May 2023, Allysia received shocking news: two tumors, one measuring 10 centimeters and the other 8 centimeters, had overtaken her ovaries. By the time they were surgically removed, the tumors had grown to the size of a personal watermelon and a grapefruit, respectively. They were Crockenberg tumors that had metastasized from her stomach.
Facing the Unthinkable
The day after her surgery, Allysia was given the devastating diagnosis: stage 4 cancer, with metastasis to other organs. The doctors told her there was no hope for a cure and urged her to get her affairs in order. In that moment, she felt lost.
However, Allysia’s mother refused to accept this bleak outlook. She embarked on a relentless search for options, attending a presentation by Dr. Zachary Brown at NYU, where he discussed cytoreduction surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). Allysia’s mother was hopeful that this could be the key to Allysia’s treatment.
A Tough Decision
Initially, Allysia was hesitant to consider another major surgery. The fear of losing more organs was daunting. However, as she learned more about the possibility of surgery and discovered that she didn’t have certain cancer-related genes, she began to see a glimmer of hope.
Her mother sent Dr. Brown the information about Allysia’s case on a Friday night, and to her surprise, he responded the very next day, indicating that she needed to be seen for the possibility of stomach surgery. Despite her reservations, Allysia’s mother encouraged her, saying, “This is your chance.”
Surgery and Recovery
The surgery lasted about 12 hours. During the operation, the doctors found and removed a small tumor on the back of Allysia’s stomach, leading to the decision to remove about 85-100% of her stomach. They placed a J-tube for feeding, which was a new experience for her. Although the pain was significant, it was nothing compared to what she had endured during the removal of the Crockenberg tumors.
Throughout this challenging process, Allysia found strength in her faith. She believes that God has a plan for her and has provided the best medical team, support from her fiancé, friends, and advancements in medicine that give her hope for the future.
A Message of Hope
Allysia wants to share a message with anyone facing a similar situation: keep pushing, keep looking for options, and don’t let anyone’s negative comments define your journey. There is always hope, no matter how dark things may seem.
As she continues on this path, Allysia is determined to fight with everything she has. She knows that her story is not over, and she looks forward to what the future holds.
Additional Resources: For more information on cancer treatments, support networks, and resources for patients and families, visit CancerCare.org or check out our related articles on overcoming cancer challenges.