College Student, Who Thought She Had a UTI, Diagnosed with Rare Disease: ‘I Was Mad at the World for a Long Time’

**College Student Battles Rare Blood Cancer, Triumphs With New Treatment Approach**

In a heart-wrenching journey that highlights the resilience of the human spirit, Emma Operacz, a university student from Ypsilanti, found herself grappling with an unexpected diagnosis after weeks of declining health. As she prepared for graduation from Eastern Michigan University in the summer of 2024, Emma initially believed she was suffering from a common urinary tract infection (UTI). However, her persistent symptoms would soon lead her down a path she never anticipated.

Emma began her health struggle with visits to urgent care, where she was prescribed antibiotics. Unfortunately, after two rounds of treatment, her condition deteriorated. Accompanied by debilitating side pain, fever, and loss of appetite, she sought help from her primary care physician. Despite undergoing a CT scan, no immediate concerns were identified.

One fateful night, during a phone call with her sister, Sara Operacz, Emma vocalised her discomfort. “I was like, ‘I’m not okay. Something’s not right,'” she recalled. With her symptoms escalating, Sara took her to a gynaecologist who conducted a pelvic exam and noted swollen lymph nodes. This finding led Emma to the emergency room, where she was admitted for antibiotics, pain management, and further tests.

After a week in the hospital, a biopsy revealed the gravity of her condition: stage four T-cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer characterised by its targeting of certain white blood cells. Unprepared for such a severe diagnosis, Emma initially expected her treatment to involve six rounds of chemotherapy, envisioning a swift return to her studies and work.

However, the reality proved far more challenging. After her first round of chemotherapy, Emma’s health did not improve. Instead, she faced debilitating headaches and fever, and was informed that the cancer had metastasised to her central nervous system and brain. Her sister, Sara, witnessed the alarming toll the illness was taking. “I watched my sister lose so much weight she seemed to ‘disappear in front of me,'” she said, recounting the painful moments of planning for the unthinkable.

In July 2024, Emma was transferred to Cleveland Clinic, where she met Dr. Deepa Jagadeesh, a specialist in T-cell lymphoma. With traditional chemotherapy failing, Dr. Jagadeesh proposed a promising alternative—Alectinib, a targeted therapy primarily used for lung cancer but showing potential in cases like Emma’s. This novel approach aimed specifically at targeting lymphoma cells, diverging from the sweeping effects of chemotherapy.

Emma began taking Alectinib daily, and within months, the treatment indicated a significant breakthrough. After four months of the new regimen, a PET scan declared her cancer in complete remission. This remarkable progress, however, revealed another obstacle: Emma required a bone marrow transplant to ensure lasting recovery. Fortunately, Sara was a perfect match.

The transplant journey was daunting and required Emma to undergo additional chemotherapy and radiation, alongside stringent precautions against infection. She marked her 22nd birthday and Thanksgiving in the confines of the hospital, yet remained optimistic. “That Christmas, we were at a rental house in Cleveland,” she shared, reflecting on her family’s resilience during these tough times.

After three and a half months post-transplant, Emma received the long-awaited green light to return home. Though her cancer battle necessitated a temporary hiatus from her studies, she ultimately returned to complete her degree, graduating in December 2025. Now, with her sights set on a future in graduate school, Emma aims to pursue further education in social work, with aspirations to work at Cleveland Clinic—a place she credits for its role in her recovery.

Her transformative experience has shifted her perspective. “I was mad at the world for a long time,” she confessed. “I was feeling really low—both mentally and physically. But now, I can give back. I can help those going through something similar to me; I can relate to them.”

Emma Operacz’s journey is more than just a story of survival; it’s a testament to hope, family support, and the fight against cancer, inspiring all those who face similar challenges.