Peter Marinaro

I was experiencing symptoms of abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss for about a month prior to diagnosis. I went to see a doctor when the abdominal pains became more serious, and I experienced nausea. After a colonoscopy and a week of waiting, I was diagnosed on October 26, 2020, in the doctor's office. I was told surgery would be required immediately and by mid-November, we successfully removed 90% of my colon along with positive lymph nodes. We would follow up with six months of chemo and one month of radiation. I had a stretch of eight months with no new activity until recently. I am currently awaiting results from a biopsy that possibly could be a recurrence and would require going back on chemo treatment and radiation.

In August of 2021 I went back on Folfiri Chemo for 6 months and my cancer went into remission from February 2022 - April 2023. I then had another recurrence in May 2023 and went back on Folfiri for 3 months which brought me back into remission.

My 4th recurrence happened in November of 2023. I went back on Folfiri in January 2024 and did another 3 months on Folfiri treatment followed by a 2-month clinical trial that was unsuccessful. In October of 2024 I went back on Folfirinox treatment due to new cancer activity in my spleen. I am currently on Folfirinox and the next step is to decide on a possible surgery to remove my spleen and nearby lymph nodes that are positive.

Advice: "Be proactive, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Early detection can save a lot of trouble and your life. The mind and your approach is the most important part of the battle against any cancer. I have survived osteosarcoma as a child and now in this fight against stage IV colon cancer. Be strong; be brave; surround yourself with positive people and fight every single day. You have to stay positive, as fighting cancer is both an emotional and physical battle."