In New Jersey, two sisters are navigating the challenges of a terminal colon cancer diagnosis, having received the devastating news within a few years of each other.
Both sisters were informed of their stage 4 cancer in their thirties, forcing them to adapt to a new reality.
Eloisa Oquendo first sought medical attention for intense lower abdominal pain in February 2021, which led to emergency surgery where her cancer was discovered.
The 37-year-old recounted: “That’s when they discovered the cancer. The doctor came in, and I was by myself, and told me I had stage four colon cancer.”
Oquendo’s cancer returned earlier this year after initially going into remission, but she was unaware she would soon share this journey with her sister.
In March, her sister Joyce Melo faced a similar diagnosis after undergoing routine surgery for appendix removal.
Oquendo remarked: “What are the chances that two sisters get diagnosed back-to-back with the same diagnosis that’s almost unheard of.”
Coincidentally, Melo was diagnosed at the same age as Oquendo, 37.
She shared with KRON 4: “Sometimes I still can’t believe this is our life, honestly. It kind of feels like you are living a nightmare.”
While Oquendo was initially diagnosed with stage four, Melo’s cancer was thought to be stage one before it was found to have spread to her lungs.
Melo then received the grave news that her cancer was also stage four.
She now faces the challenge of undergoing 12 rounds of chemotherapy and surgery, but her insurance has denied coverage for her chemotherapy.
Oquendo expressed her frustration to KRON 4: “It makes me angry. How does insurance not cover chemotherapy. Like how is that not an option?”
This situation prompted their family to establish a GoFundMe for Melo to assist with her medical expenses.
Both sisters continue their treatments, with Melo stating: “Recovery has been incredibly challenging and I’m still unsure where I’ve found the strength to endure all of this.
“But you never really know how strong you are until you’re faced with the greatest battle of your life.”
While no linking cause has been identified for their diagnoses, the Mayo Clinic notes that a family history of colon cancer raises the risk of developing it by 5 to 15 percent.
The Mayo Clinic states: “If your relative with cancer is younger than age 50, your risk if even higher.”
The American Cancer Society suggests that if two siblings have the same cancer, there could be a genetic mutation inherited from their parents.
If you are affected by these issues and need to speak to someone, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or use their live chat feature, available 24/7 year-round.