Help Alicia's Fight Against Rare Cancer

I’m Alicia (33) and I’ve been diagnosed with a rare form of colorectal cancer called mucinous adenocarcinoma, stage IV

This is my story.

About 3 years ago I started having GI issues, went to a gastroenterologist who did a scan of my stomach and said that I can either have a colonoscopy for further investigation first or have my gallbladder removed first as the imaging saw gallstones. I opted for the gallbladder removal thinking that maybe that was the cause of my symptoms. Had it removed and over the course of a year I struggled with eating. I assumed it was dietary that I needed to figure out what I couldn’t eat anymore due to no gallbladder. During that time I no longer had health insurance as I switched employers, and Chris and I were not married yet so I couldn’t go on his policy. After a total of 3 years struggling, and after marrying the love of my life, I got onto his health insurance. At this point my symptoms had not improved and actually got worse.

I made an appointment with my primary care and obgyn to get blood work & annual exams so I could get started on figuring out what was wrong. At my pap smear by gynecologist noted that my right ovary was much larger than my left. A few days after my pap I was having extreme abdominal pain on my right side. Scans showed my right ovary to be twice the size of my left with a 3inch cyst. Having PCOS the cyst did not come as a surprise but between that and the size of my ovary, and after much discussion with my Dr, I opted to have my right ovary and tube removed. Thank goodness I did!

When they went to remove the ovary, the cyst doubled in size (within a 3 week time period) and was tested positive as a mucinous adenocarcinoma tumor. Unfortunately, since the drs were not expecting the tumor to be that large, it was ruptured and there was spillage.

I was then referred to an oncologist and after a few more scans and tests, found that it had metastasized from a rectal tumor. Tumors have also been found in my peritoneum and the outside of my uterus. So the GI issues I was experiencing were all from a tumor that was blocking my large intestine and rectum.

I recently underwent a colostomy surgery where I will be wearing a bag for the duration of my treatment so I’m no longer in pain when eating/digesting. I will have at least 6 months of chemo before re-evaluating with scans to see how the tumors are reacting to treatment, and potentially having another major surgery after to completely remove any remaining tumors and to receive a HIPEC (chemo wash).

I have a long way to go, but am proud of how far I’ve already come. To receive such devastating news is shocking, but all you can really do is keep going, keep fighting and keep living. I DEFINITELY wouldn’t be able to do it without my selfless, caring and loving husband, and ALLLL of my friends and family that have been so so so supportive on a daily basis.

Chris and I both have a really hard time asking for help, especially when there’s money involved. But we do have enough courage to ask for the help when we feel it’s absolutely needed. Although our medical insurance does help, bills have already started piling up. With having to miss work due to appointments, surgery and coming up soon the chemo, we financially need help with the every day bills. I’m unfortunately not eligible for FMLA with my employer. 

We know it’s a tough economy out there and we are all doing our best, so we are in no way expecting anything. If you do find yourself in a position to where you can give even a little, it would be a huge blessing for us.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way with prayers, food for our fridge, flowers and sweet notes. We love all of you!