06/19/2026
As a physician, I have learned that cancer does not only affect the body
it impacts every aspect of a person’s life, their family, their dreams, and their sense of certainty about the future.
Gillian’s story is one of courage, resilience, and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit.
At just 41 years old, Gillian was diagnosed with Stage III bowel cancer. Like so many patients, she never imagined cancer would become part of her story. She was young, active, healthy, and had no family history that would suggest she was at risk.
What began as occasional bleeding seemed insignificant at first. The symptoms would appear and disappear, making it easy to dismiss them. Yet Gillian listened to her instincts and sought medical attention. That decision ultimately changed—and very likely saved—her life.
When she underwent a colonoscopy and saw the tumor on the screen, cancer was the furthest thing from her mind. The diagnosis that followed was devastating. In a matter of moments, life shifted from normal routines to hospital visits, scans, surgeries, and uncertainty.
Within weeks, she underwent a major bowel resection and later began chemotherapy. The physical challenges were significant, but the emotional burden was equally profound. Discussions about survival statistics and treatment outcomes created fear and anxiety that many cancer patients know all too well.
Yet Gillian persevered.
Treatment was difficult. The side effects were real. The neuropathy she continues to experience serves as a reminder of the battle she fought. But despite every obstacle, she moved forward one day at a time.
Today, as she approaches the important five-year milestone, her story reminds us of something powerful: cancer may change a person’s life, but it does not define who they are.
What inspires me most is not only her clinical outcome, but the transformation that followed. Gillian discovered a strength she never knew she possessed. She learned to embrace uncertainty, appreciate life’s simplest gifts, and find joy in moments that many of us overlook.
The laughter of her children, the beauty of a spring morning, a clear sky at sunset—these are no longer ordinary moments. They are treasures.
As physicians, we often speak about treatment, technology, and scientific progress. But stories like Gillian’s remind us why we do this work. Every patient is more than a diagnosis. Every patient represents a life, a family, and a future worth fighting for.
Gillian’s journey is a testament to resilience, hope, and the remarkable capacity of the human spirit to endure even the most difficult challenges.
Thank you, Gillian, for sharing your story. Your courage continues to inspire patients, families, and healthcare professionals alike. Your journey reminds us that while cancer may be part of a person’s story, it never has to be the end of it.
IVERMECTIN, FENBENDAZOLE ABD MENBENDAZOLE FOR CANCER, TUMORS AND PARASITIC INFECTION
Patrick soon-Shiong
