‘Told Her Stage 4 Cancer Was Inoperable,’ a 38-Year-Old Therapist Defies Prognosis, Advocating for Additional Treatment—Now It’s Undetectable. Her Message: Always Seek a Second Opinion

Despite her escalating symptoms, Jacobs says her initial doctor remained unconcerned. It wasn’t until the pain drove her to the emergency room that her fears were validated.

“The doctor said at the ER, ‘Your appendix is inflamed. It looks like cancer. We’re going to admit you,” she said.

That ER visit led to a devastating discovery: stage 4 appendiceal cancer, a rare disease that affects only 1 to 2 people per million. According to the National Cancer Institute, appendiceal cancer originates in the cells of the appendix, a small organ in the abdomen. Because it often presents no symptoms in its early stages, it’s typically diagnosed when the cancer has already advanced.

Common symptoms—when they do surface—include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and a noticeably growing stomach.

In Jacobs’ case, the cancer had metastasized, meaning it had spread beyond the appendix. Her initial medical team gave her little hope, deeming the disease inoperable.

But Jacobs refused to give up.

“I found a doctor in Lexington,” she said. “He told me I was too young to give up on.”

That second opinion proved crucial. The Lexington specialist recommended an aggressive surgical approach, and Jacobs underwent a grueling 17-hour procedure that removed multiple organs, including her appendix, colon, spleen, gallbladder, part of her liver, and her uterus through a total hysterectomy.

A total hysterectomy involves removing the uterus and cervix, and is often used to treat gynecologic cancers. While this surgery results in infertility, patients can explore fertility preservation through egg freezing and in vitro fertilization (IVF) prior to treatment.

Through it all, Jacobs remained resolute.

“Do whatever you need to do to save my life,” she told her care team.

Today, Jacobs is managing her health with a daily chemotherapy pill. Her fierce determination and refusal to settle for one opinion have become part of her healing—and her message to others.

“Get that second, third, fourth opinion,” she said. “Fight for yourself. If I didn’t—I don’t know if I’d be here.”

Her experience stands as a powerful reminder: listening to your body and advocating for your health can be lifesaving.

Why Self-Advocacy in Healthcare Can Be Life-Saving

When patients actively advocate for their health, it can lead to earlier diagnoses, broader treatment options, and ultimately better outcomes—especially when initial symptoms are overlooked or dismissed.

Part of this advocacy means not settling for a single medical opinion. Persistence matters: revisiting your doctor, pushing for answers, and seeking additional perspectives from other healthcare providers can be crucial steps in the journey.

WATCH: The value of getting a second opinion

Dr. Steven Rosenberg, Chief of Surgery at the National Cancer Institute, underscored this point in a conversation with SurvivorNet:

“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care. Because finding a doctor who is up to date with the latest information is important,” Dr. Rosenberg said.

His words are a powerful reminder that having the right medical team can make all the difference—and that begins with being your own strongest advocate.

Getting another opinion may also help you avoid doctor biases. For example, some surgeons own radiation treatment centers. “So there may be a conflict of interest if you present to a surgeon who is recommending radiation because there is some ownership of that type of facility,” Dr. Jim Hu, director of robotic surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center, tells SurvivorNet.

Other reasons to get a second opinion include:

• To see a doctor who has more experience treating your type of cancer
• You have a rare type of cancer
• There are several ways to treat your cancer
• You feel like your doctor isn’t listening to you, or isn’t giving you sound advice
• You have trouble understanding your doctor
• You don’t like the treatment your doctor is recommending, or you’re worried about its possible side effects
• Your insurance company wants you to get another medical opinion
• Your cancer isn’t improving on your current treatment

WATCH: The Importance Of Getting A Second Opinion: Tara Lessard Shares Her Cancer Story.

Tara Lessard is another woman who refused to follow the lead of just one medical opinion. After her 2015 stage 4 ovarian cancer diagnosis, she underwent 21 rounds of chemotherapy and battled severe side effects, including neuropathy that left her temporarily wheelchair-bound.

Unwilling to settle for standardized treatment, Lessard sought multiple opinions—ultimately choosing a cancer center that offered tailored care, including a spleen removal, alternative chemo, and a PARP inhibitor that kept her cancer-free for a year. Despite recurrence in 2018, Tara’s key message was clear: your opinion does matter when it comes to your own cancer treatment. So, get a second opinion if you want one.

Some health insurance companies will cover the cost of a second opinion. Still, it’s a good idea to find out if yours does before you visit a new doctor, as some insurance companies have stipulations on the extent of coverage they will provide.

Keep in mind that you don’t need to stop at a second opinion. Provided that you have the time and financial resources, you may want to consider getting a third or a fourth opinion. Just don’t get so many opinions that your treatment options overwhelm you.

With each new doctor you visit, bring a copy of your:

• Pathology report from your biopsy or surgery
• Surgical report
• Imaging tests
• The treatment plan that your current doctor recommended

Helping You Cope With an Unexpected Cancer Diagnosis

If you are facing a cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.

“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, and family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.

WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.

If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.

SurvivorNet experts suggest that women who need a little extra help coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.

• Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support, but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
• Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
• Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
• Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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