Mom's Shock: Stage IV Cancer Found Accidentally

Amy Piccoli, a 39-year-old mother of three, was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in May 2026, a discovery made incidentally during an emergency room visit for dehydration. Despite having no prior symptoms and no family history of cancer, tests revealed a colon mass and spots on her liver. After undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy, which led to significant tumor shrinkage, Piccoli became a candidate for a specialized liver transplant.

This innovative procedure, performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, offers significantly improved survival rates compared to traditional chemotherapy for select patients. In September 2026, Piccoli underwent an evaluation and was found suitable for a living donor transplant. A family friend, Lauren Prior, was identified as a match and donated a portion of her liver. The transplant surgery took place in December 2026.

Following the successful surgery, Piccoli remained in Chicago for three months to recover and adjust to anti-rejection medications. She is now continuing with regular scans for the next five years. Piccoli expressed that the experience, while challenging, has given her a new perspective on life and she is eager to spend quality time with her children.