Help Claudia with Her Cancer Journey

Hello, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share a part of my journey with you. My name is Claudia, I am 24 years old and a first-generation senior working hard to complete my computer science undergraduate program. It's been a thrilling ride, filled with growth and the joy of discovery. Learning is my passion and I hope one day I can encourage others to pursue their curiosity in understanding this complex world. As I close a significant chapter today with the end of my IT internship, I'm reflecting on my journey, the challenges ahead and I'm reaching out for support. The path hasn't been easy, but it's been worth every step. Your encouragement would mean the world to me as I navigate this transition and strive to inspire others to explore this intricate, beautiful life.

For the past three years, I've been battling cancer. It's a battle that has tested me to my core, bringing both physical pain and emotional challenges. Along the way, unfortunately, some people who were once my support system have drifted away after hearing my diagnosis. It can be incredibly lonely at times, and I've questioned if it's worth the fight. But deep down within me burns a relentless spirit, fueled by dreams and aspirations I'm not ready to give up on. I'm here to share my story, to open up about the realities of this fight, and to invite you into my world as I face what comes next with determination.

My life took a drastic change when a car accident led to an unexpected discovery– a softball-sized tumor in my left lung. After countless appointments, many biopsies and an attempt to decrease the mass of the tumor through chemotherapy, doctors decided it was best to surgically remove it since there were no signs of decrease in size. Additionally, the pressure it was putting on my nerves, muscles, and vital organs was too great to ignore. Initially, the diagnosis was Castleman's disease along with a couple of autoimmune disorders, and the tumor was thought to be benign. However, following my open-heart surgery in October 2022, the pathology report showed a positive margin—cancer cells lingering near the incision site. That's when I was diagnosed with Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, a rare type not often seen in young adults like myself.

This journey has been nothing short of a whirlwind of emotions and physical challenges, filled with confusion and the daunting task of facing a rare cancer. Embracing the uncertainty of what lies ahead, I've been learning to navigate this path through trial and error. After being referred to a sarcoma specialist, another surgery was determined to be the best course of treatment. With the tumor being localized, I'm holding on to hope for a successful outcome from my second open-heart surgery on February 1st, 2024.

I am honestly worried about how I will financially sustain myself during the time of recovery and would appreciate any assistance. It’s hard for me to be vulnerable about my experience, and after opening up about my diagnosis, I felt abandoned and like a burden. This led me to become embarrassed and keep to myself these past few years. But the truth is, I don’t have to go through this alone, and there's no shame in my situation because this is my reality and a part of my life’s journey. I deeply appreciate the people who stuck around; they are a testament to what genuine love is and gave me hope to continue fighting. There are many things I hope to achieve with the life I was blessed with. I understand the feelings that may come up when reading this and I'd love to connect with anyone who has questions. I appreciate your support and love. If you have the ability to share, please do. Thank you so much!