In early 2025, Anastasia Sevriukova, a 30-year-old aerospace engineer at Boeing, received a life-altering diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer, which had metastasised to her liver. Her life, once filled with professional aspirations and personal commitments, was abruptly changed by this grave medical emergency, prompting her to confront a challenging road ahead.
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Sevriukova’s health issues began in the summer of 2024 when she noticed symptoms that she initially overlooked, attributing rectal bleeding to her menstrual cycle. However, concerned about her condition, she made an appointment with her primary care physician. During her consultation, the doctor quickly identified the seriousness of her symptoms, leading to further tests. “I explained to him my symptoms, and at first glance, he immediately knew that it was cancer,” Sevriukova recounted. Following a series of CT scans, the harrowing news was confirmed: she had colon cancer that had spread to her liver.
Receiving the diagnosis was a moment of profound shock for Sevriukova and her fiancé, Pradeep, who had been living in St. Louis at the time. “Everything disappears overnight,” she expressed, reflecting on that traumatic moment. “It was really difficult for us to handle, and we completely did not expect it.” This unexpected twist of fate sent their lives into turmoil, prompting them to rethink their future.
Recognising the urgency of her condition, the couple relocated to Rochester, New York, to seek advanced medical treatment. “We packed our car and drove from St. Louis to Rochester for a Thursday appointment, where we met the doctors, and they started doing the tests literally the next day,” Sevriukova explained. The sudden shift in their lives weighed heavily on them. “We just couldn’t process how our world is literally flipping upside down,” she added, highlighting the emotional toll of such a serious diagnosis.
In the following months, Sevriukova underwent chemotherapy and two surgeries aimed at treating the cancer. While her medical team managed to remove the cancer from her colon, the disease persisted in her liver. This ongoing battle against cancer has been arduous, and the treatment process is far from over. Doctors have subsequently informed her that she will need a liver transplant to increase her chances of survival.
Despite her determination, Sevriukova faces a daunting situation. Due to the relative stability of her liver compared to other patients suffering from liver diseases, she finds herself at the bottom of the transplant waiting list. “Because my liver is doing relatively well compared to a lot of patients who have other diseases with the liver, I’m at the very bottom of the list, and I’m very unlikely to get a deceased liver,” she noted, addressing the complexities of the transplant system.
Now, Sevriukova is exploring the possibility of finding a living donor. Such a procedure would allow a donor to contribute only half of their liver, a segment that can regenerate over time. This option offers her a glimmer of hope amid the uncertainty. “I’m really hopeful that I can find a living donor,” she remarked, underlining the urgency of her situation.
Anastasia Sevriukova’s journey sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals battling life-threatening illnesses. Her story not only illustrates the importance of early detection and proactive medical intervention but also highlights the critical need for support systems, both medically and emotionally.
As she navigates this turbulent phase of her life, Sevriukova remains determined to continue fighting and advocating for herself. The battle against cancer is long and arduous, yet she retains hope for a brighter future. Her journey serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity and the necessity for community support in times of need.