My name is Sierra, and I have been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer called NUT carcinoma.
Just weeks ago, I was living a normal life; celebrating nearly two years post-grad, growing in my nursing career, and enjoying the everyday moments with my friends and fiancé that we often take for granted. Then, out of nowhere, everything changed.
I began experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and persistent back and shoulder pain. At first, I brushed them off as stress or the everyday physical demands. But on April 13th, things took a turn. I could barely make it into work due to how breathless I felt. When I checked my heart rate, it was dangerously high and wouldn’t come down. I was sent to the ER, where tests quickly revealed something was very wrong.
Imaging showed a large amount of fluid surrounding my right lung, compressing it almost completely. A chest tube was placed, draining liters of fluid just to help me breathe again. What doctors initially thought might be an infection turned into something far more serious when a CT scan revealed a 7cm mass in my right lung. A biopsy was performed, and after days of waiting, I received the diagnosis on April 24th: NUT carcinoma—a very rare and aggressive cancer caused by a genetic mutation, unrelated to lifestyle or environmental factors.
Within days, my life shifted into hospital stays, scans, and urgent decisions. I traveled to Barnes in St. Louis for further evaluation, where additional testing revealed that the cancer had spread to multiple areas, including my breast, spine, and several bones throughout my body; my shoulder, hip, and pelvis among them.
My medical team is now working with specialists across the country to determine the best treatment plan. I will likely be heading to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston to begin a clinical trial as soon as possible. There is currently a tumor board reviewing my case to ensure I receive the most targeted and aggressive care available.
This is not a journey I ever imagined facing, especially at this stage in my life. As a nurse, I’ve cared for others in their hardest moments, and now I find myself on the other side, asking for help.
If you are able to donate, no matter the contribution, would mean more than I can put into words. The costs associated with treatment, travel, and time away from work are significant, and your support will help ease that burden on myself and my family so I can focus fully on fighting this.
If you’re not in a position to give, sharing this with your network would mean the world to me. Spreading awareness of NUT carcinoma and helping my story reach others is just as impactful.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read my story, for your support, your prayers, and your kindness during this incredibly difficult time. I am holding onto hope and preparing to fight with everything I have.
With gratitude,
Sierra