Kidney Cancer Survivor Monica Sullivan Lives Life to the Fullest

This is a guest post by Monica Sullivan, 49, who was diagnosed with stage 4 chromophobe renal cell carcinoma in 2023. Monica lives in Casa Grande, Arizona and is the current Elite Ms. Arizona Petite.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC) in October 2023 when I was 46 years old. I had no symptoms and was in the best shape of my life.

I lost 112 pounds over two years through diet and exercise, which intentionally started during Covid in 2020. I was also working through some very traumatic times working as a Respiratory Therapist.

In 2023, I was seeing a rheumatologist for rheumatoid arthritis and I complained of two separate instances of shortness of breath. He ordered the CT scan that saved my life.

The CT tech found two tumors, one on my kidney and one large tumor on my liver. The CT report read: “suggest Rcc until proven otherwise.”

The next month was a blur, my husband of 26 years left our family, and never came back. I have three children, the youngest of which was 7 years old at the time.

I started seeing an oncologist, we did a biopsy, the diagnosis was confirmed chRCC, stage 4. I was given a terminal diagnosis at that time. I was told chRCC has not been proven to respond to chemotherapy, and the area was too large for radiation. I got three different opinions. The only option was a complicated surgery – a Hail Mary pass.

Thank goodness I found an amazing surgeon to operate. I had a liver ablation in November 2023 hoping to shrink that tumor, but it didn’t work.

I finally had my life-saving 10-hour surgery on January 1, 2024. I was also in the middle of my divorce, which now looking back, was the least of my problems. I had my right kidney removed along with 60% of my liver. I was told by my surgeon that it couldn’t have gone any better.

After surgery I was sitting up at the edge of the bed within 3 hours and walking within 6 hours. I went home on my fourth day post-op. I received wonderful news after about a week: all margins negative!!

I took the full three months off work, but I never stopped moving. I walked a little bit every day, until I worked up to one mile, after about 4 weeks. At 8 weeks I was able to walk 3 miles. Shortly after, I received the doctors approval and started weight lifting again. Post-op, I started watching everything I consumed. I watch my sugar, sodium, and fat intake. I try and prepare all of my own food. I still feel the healthiest I’ve ever felt and I am NED (no evidence of disease).

Cancer changed my life. It got me out of a loveless marriage I would have never left. It made me appreciate life and go for my dreams. I make time to spend more quality time with my kids and family. I also spend time with my friends because I couldn’t have made it through without them, too.

In fact now, I am Elite Ms. Arizona Petite 2026! I will be competing at the national level for Elite Ms. USA in July in Chicago. My platform is living life to the fullest despite a cancer diagnosis and being your own advocate for your health.

There is always hope. It makes a difference when you stay positive and advocate for your own health. I believe I am living proof.