Lina Miranda - 22 Year Stomach Cancer Survivor
Lina Miranda is a remarkable 22-year survivor of stage 3B stomach cancer, having been diagnosed at the young age of 21. In her speech, she focuses on two major themes—or “F-words”—that defined her journey: Fertility and Fitness [03:02].
Cancer Diagnosis and Early Treatment
In 2001, Lina was diagnosed with stage 3B stomach cancer [03:19]. She underwent a then-new treatment known as the McDonald protocol, which included both chemotherapy and radiation [04:12].
At the time, preserving her fertility wasn't a topic her medical team discussed with her, largely because her survival chances were considered to be very low [04:56].
Her Fertility Journey
In her early 30s, Lina and her husband decided to start a family but faced difficulties getting pregnant [05:24].
She recalled a radiation oncologist mentioning years earlier that radiation scatter could eventually cause problems with her ability to conceive [05:47].
A visit to a fertility clinic revealed that her eggs and her husband's sperm were perfectly healthy [06:37]. However, her eggs weren't being released naturally, likely due to abdominal scar tissue from her partial gastrectomy and subsequent surgeries for bowel blockages [07:04].
After unsuccessful intrauterine insemination (IUI) attempts, they moved on to in vitro fertilization (IVF) [07:50]. Following two rounds of IVF and a tragic miscarriage, Lina gave birth to her "miracle baby," a daughter named Leanna [07:56].
The Role of Fitness and a Life-Threatening Delivery
During her grueling cancer treatments, Lina made a promise to herself: she would get into the best shape possible so that if she ever had to fight for her life again, she would be physically ready for battle [10:20].
She became a certified group fitness instructor, an avid CrossFitter, and a half-marathon runner [10:55].
Her extreme level of fitness likely saved her life when she gave birth. Her daughter Leanna was born early via an emergency C-section, during which doctors discovered Lina had an undiagnosed condition called placenta accreta (where the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall) [11:45].
This caused massive, uncontrollable hemorrhaging. As doctors scrambled to prepare a major operating room for an emergency hysterectomy, they used a balloon to put pressure on her arteries as a temporary measure [11:54].
Miraculously, the balloon worked. Lina survived after receiving 19 units of blood [12:43]. The attending doctor later told her that her incredible fitness and muscle health were likely what kept her alive during the terrifying ordeal [12:58].
Conclusion Lina has since written an inspirational memoir to help others who feel alone in their cancer journey [13:26]. She leaves the audience with a beautiful message about finding your "paradise"—not as a place or a thing, but as moments in time, which for her are all the precious moments she spends with her family [13:48].