Undefeated by Cancer, Becoming a True Hero of Life: A 27-Year-Old Biker's Cancer Journey | Patient Story
There is only one true heroism in the world: to see life as it is and still love it.
I want to be my own hero!
Peace & Love
Author | Dagongzai Editor | Guangguang & Xianning
「 Diagnosed with Cancer 」
2024 can be described as the most life-enriching year since I was born, because at 27, I was diagnosed with cancer.
In March 2024, my company's health checkup indicated elevated Carbohydrate Antigen 72-4. I searched online and asked ChatGPT, and both internet sources and AI algorithms suggested that inflammation could also cause this marker to rise. Since my CEA was normal, I frequently had diarrhea, and I already had hemorrhoids, I didn't pay much attention to it.
By April or May of the same year, my rectal bleeding worsened, and the blood turned darker. I also felt constantly fatigued. A thought crept into my mind: Something is seriously wrong. Could I have cancer?
「 Time to Remove a Section of Intestine 」
At the end of May 2024, I scheduled a colonoscopy at the Qingdao campus of Shandong Qilu Hospital. I easily handled the 2L electrolyte solution, but a few hours later, the diarrhea hit so hard I was crying out for my dad.
The next day, I arrived at the hospital looking completely drained. The doctor gave a deadpan order: "Take off your pants and lie down."
When I opened my eyes again, I was already holding my colonoscopy report. Still groggy from the anesthesia, I stared at it in a daze.
"Intestinal mass occupying 2/3 of the lumen; the endoscope can still pass through."
The endoscopist continued, expressionless but kindly: "Go to the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department now and book an appointment with Director Yuan to discuss further treatment."
I quickly booked an appointment and headed to the clinic. After reviewing the report, Director Yuan calmly said: "You'll need surgery to remove a section of your intestine."
I was anxious: "Is it benign or malignant, Director?"
He remained unusually calm: "Whether it's benign or malignant, it has to be removed anyway."
I thought to myself: I'm done for. It's probably malignant.
「 Food Lost Its Flavor 」
That evening, while having hotpot with my girlfriend, a plate of pork intestines in front of me made me think of my own. Hoping for the best, I glanced at the pathology report. The words "Mucinous Adenocarcinoma" caught my eye.
I picked up my phone, looked at it, and gently put it down. I repeated this a few times before stopping, feeling the phone grow heavier with each glance. Distracted, I picked up a piece of lamb and dipped it heavily in sesame paste. For some reason, the Inner Mongolian lamb and Beijing-style dipping sauce, which I usually couldn't get enough of, tasted sour and bitter in my mouth.
Picking up the phone, putting it down, over and over. Finally, I went outside to make a call. I remember the wind was strong that day, the lighter's flame flickering uncontrollably. That cigarette, as expected, brought some relief...
Yes, I'm only 27, and I've only been with my girlfriend for a short while. I can't just stay depressed. I need to man up and fight back!
「 Post-Surgery Diagnosis: Mid-to-Late Stage 」
On June 5, I was quickly admitted. Preoperative imaging on June 7 and 8 showed no distant metastasis. Surgery was on June 11. Afterward, I even joked with my mom: "Hey, maybe it's just early stage. Once it's out, I'll be fine, right?"
But reality slapped my handsome face hard once again.
At midnight on June 17, unable to sleep, I carried my drainage bag and paced the ward corridor. Standing by the window, I looked at the pathology report on my phone: Postoperative pathology T4aN1bM0, 2 out of 17 lymph nodes positive, two tumor nodules, poorly differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma with signet ring cell differentiation.
I took several deep breaths and looked out the window. The streetlights below flickered on and off, blurring before my eyes...
Mid-to-late stage. I found it hard to believe that someone like me, who rarely orders takeout, works out regularly, and loves playing basketball, would be linked to this. But my life experiences have taught me: when problems arise, don't be anxious or panicked. Actively seek solutions. If it can't be solved, accept it calmly.
「 Preparing for Chemotherapy 」
After adjusting my mindset, I actively prepared for chemotherapy. However, another hard-to-accept situation soon followed...
Because my veins were in good condition, port-a-caths weren't covered by insurance in Qingdao, and a PICC line would cause delays, I chose the CAPOX regimen, planning to try intravenous oxaliplatin first. After the first session, it collapsed one of my veins, leaving my entire forearm numb. I couldn't stand the smell of cooking oil, felt nauseous, vomited, and suffered from alternating diarrhea and constipation. Simple ondansetron couldn't control the vomiting. I barely endured the first round.
Before the second round, I decisively scheduled a PICC line insertion, but due to scheduling, it could only be placed after the second session for future use. Fortunately, Sister Xiao Han from the Panda Group's Digestive 24 chat reminded me that Akynzeo (netupitant/palonosetron) was now covered by insurance. It's affordable and effective, and she suggested I take it before the second round.
I quickly got Akynzeo, swallowing the single pill half an hour before chemo. During the infusion, I really didn't feel much nausea, which pleasantly surprised me. However, the next evening, I experienced a relatively rare side effect of oxaliplatin: laryngospasm.
「 Oxaliplatin Allergy 」
That night, exhausted from chemo, I fell asleep as soon as I lay down. At 10 PM, I suddenly jolted awake, unable to breathe. The muscles connecting my neck and collarbones tensed up, and I broke into a sweat. Thinking it was a cramp, I rubbed my neck and fell back asleep. At 11 PM, it happened again: sudden awakening, intense muscle tension, sweating. I hurriedly applied a warm towel, felt some relief, and lay down again. At 12 AM, it happened AGAIN! I jolted awake once more!
After this repeated a few times, I panicked and quickly asked in the group chat if anyone had experienced something similar and how they handled it. Sister Sheng Jiang urgently replied: "Go to the hospital! Emergency room! Dexamethasone!"
I rushed to the emergency room and explained the situation to the on-duty doctor, who immediately administered dexamethasone. After being observed at the hospital with no further symptoms, I returned home physically and mentally exhausted, and slept "peacefully" until the next day.
Afterward, due to the allergy, the doctor adjusted my regimen to single-agent capecitabine. Because of my larger body surface area, I had to take ten pills a day! The side effects of capecitabine, like hand-foot syndrome and gastrointestinal reactions, were very pronounced in me. Sometimes I'd take my morning pills, fall asleep, and wake up near dusk. Since I experienced quite a few side effects throughout chemo, my friends in the group affectionately nicknamed me "The Side Effect Manual."
「 Eating Heavily: From 79kg to 97kg 」
I stumbled through eight rounds of chemotherapy. Despite the side effects, I actively managed them and never restricted my diet. The expected severe weight loss from chemo never happened to me. My weight skyrocketed from 79 kg post-surgery to 97 kg now. I stayed silent and just kept eating heartily.
「 Embracing the Spring of Life 」
After finishing chemo, during the major follow-up scan, imaging showed a lymph node in the hepatogastric space with a short axis of 12mm, and a 3mm lung nodule. I will continue with dynamic monitoring.
My next follow-up is coming up soon. I hope everything goes well. The next steps are to exercise more, maintain a good mood, lose some weight, and step into my reborn life.
"I often feel utterly hopeless, yet frequently find my hope reignited. For every snowfall life gives me, I will encounter a spring."
「 I Want to Be a Hero 」
After this twisting cancer journey, I've rediscovered the weight of life and the meaning of living. I've also truly felt the lasting impact of a quote I once read: There is only one true heroism in the world: to see life as it is and still love it.
Coincidentally, I want to be my own superhero!
Tiny cancer cells! You think you can control me?? That would be turning the world upside down!!!
「 Endless Gratitude 」
Finally, I am deeply grateful to Director Han for building the Panda Group mutual support platform. Thank you to the volunteers Guagua, Sister Yunduo, Sister Shengjiang, Kangaroo, Dunzi, Qiezi, Sister Amy, and friends Sister Xiao Han, Sister Fei, Brother B, Sister Ring, German Mango, and others (in no particular order) for your help and support. I hope all group members' future lives are filled with love and free from cancer.
「 I'm a Volunteer Now 」
Oh, by the way, I'm now a junior volunteer in the Panda Group. I hope to use my spare time to learn more, gain the ability to pass on this love, light a torch on the cancer journey, and illuminate the path for more people struggling along this long road.
May the world be filled with love, and may there be no cancer anywhere.
"Love you, Mom. See you tomorrow."
Peace & Love
To protect patient privacy, names used in this article are pseudonyms.
Images containing the patient's portrait have been authorized by the patient and may not be used without permission.
Patient Stories | Click text to jump directly
Notes from a Middle-Aged Beijing Man Fighting Advanced Colon Cancer | The Anti-Cancer Black Magic of Panda Star | A Ming: Colon Cancer with Liver and Lung Metastasis, Two Years Accompanying My Mom's Treatment | Qingcao: Sharing Treatment for Colon Cancer with Liver Metastasis | Deep Sibling Bond: 4 Years of Treatment for Colon Cancer with Liver Metastasis | Xiao Li: A Patient's Self-Account of Fighting Cancer | Sister Xiuxiu: Treatment Journey for Colon Cancer with Liver and Ovarian Metastasis | Brother Guo: Tenacious Treatment Path for Colon Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis | Naonao: Self-Rescue Journey After Recurrence of Colon Cancer at 27 | Sister Tudou: 7-Year Anti-Cancer Journey with Colon Cancer Metastasizing to Lungs and Brain | Anti-Cancer Beauty Yuanyuan: Living On with a Smile | Jin Xia: 4-Year Treatment Journey for HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer | The Grumpy Uncle's Fight Against Gastric Cancer | Mickey: Treatment Path for Advanced Gastric Cancer at 31 | Summary from an Advancing Colon Cancer Patient's Family (Including Care Guide) | Alison: Treatment for HER2-Positive Advanced Colon Cancer | From Stage IV Gastric Cancer to Complete Remission | 78 Liver Metastasis Lesions Are Not a Death Sentence | That Advanced Cancer Patient Who Entered the ICU Due to Infection Is Now Tumor-Free | Panda Group Story: Weihua 1 | From Diagnosis to Recurrence | Panda Group Story Yang Yong | As Heaven's Movement is Ever Vigorous, a Gentleman Should Constantly Strive for Self-Improvement | The Cruel Truth Behind Treatment Value: Why Some Patients Are Not Advised to Seek Treatment in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou | Anti-Cancer Blogger Fengzi Passes Away, Who Will Care for Young Patients Fighting Cancer Alone? | Panda and Friends | Lao Chen: What It's Like to Participate in a CAR-T Clinical Trial, Over Three Years with Colon Cancer Metastasizing to Liver and Lungs, Anti-Cancer Veteran | Sister Yangguang: Life Should Not Lose Its Color Due to Illness | Patient Story | Diagnosed with Colon Cancer at 16 Weeks Pregnant, Her Struggle and Rebirth | Patient Story | What Kind of Life Do You Want to Live? Running a Marathon with the Best Time After Colon Cancer Surgery | Patient Story | A True Record of Treatment for Colon Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis | Patient Story
Doctor-Patient Communication | Click text to jump directly
Peking University Cancer Hospital Shen Lin: 2023 Advances in Immunotherapy for Colon Cancer | Director Shen Lin's Step-by-Step Guide for Colon and Gastric Cancer Patients on How to Seek Medical Care
Peking University Cancer Hospital Xing Baocai: Doctor-Patient Communication on Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou Chen Gong: Can Surgery Be Performed Immediately After Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis? | On Surgery for Colorectal Peritoneal Metastasis | On Treatment Strategies for Colorectal Liver and Lung Metastasis | Maintenance Therapy and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer | Patient Group Case Analysis Q&A (Part 1) | Patient Group Case Analysis Q&A (Part 2)
Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center Cai Guoxiang: Record of Patient Group Communication and Q&A
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou Wang Fenghua: Record of Patient Group Communication
The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Guangzhou Xiao Jian: Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, and Immunotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer
Beijing Friendship Hospital Yao Hongwei: Examinations Required for Rectal Cancer Patients and How to Read the Reports
▽ Click to read the full article and join the support group