Lindsey Piazza

Transcript

My name is Lindsey Piazza. I am a mama, teacher, daughter, and friend. My son, Jackson, is ten years old and the greatest joy in my life. We are crazy cat people and love books. I am a third grade teacher in the Brentwood School District and have taught for 15 years. I am also a rare cancer thriver and liver transplant recipient. I believe stories have the power to bring people together — to connect and heal. I’d love to share my story with you. In 2021, I was in pain from what I believed to be a kidney infection. A CT scan in the emergency room showed I had passed a kidney stone. The radiologist also noticed a small, 1.5 cm lesion on my liver and suggested I look into it further. I said, “Okay, will do.” But as a working mom, I notoriously took care of everyone else before myself and put it off. In March 2024, I finally saw a wonderful new primary care physician who suggested an ultrasound of the lesion to rule out anything scary. Unfortunately, the ultrasound showed that the tiny lesion had grown from 1.5 cm to 6 cm by 5 cm. The following months were a whirlwind of worry, ultrasounds, MRIs, PET scans, and biopsies before I was finally diagnosed with an ultra-rare cancer called epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE). This rare cancer grows from the cells that make up the blood vessels and is so rare that only 1 in one million people are diagnosed with it each year. Because of its rarity, EHE presents differently in every single patient, so there is no standard method of treatment. What does one do with this diagnosis? Try desperately to avoid Googling and instead seek out the best of the best specialists and other EHE patients. Through the EHE Foundation, I found unending support and a list of oncologists who specialize in treating this ultra-rare cancer, including Dr. Brian Van Tine right here at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis. Dr. Van Tine was one of the leading physicians treating this rare and frustrating cancer, and he was a cat person — we had an immediate connection. I had complete faith in him as he guided me through a “watch and wait” treatment approach. We scanned, watched, and waited to see any growth. For almost a year, I received positive news — no growth. But in May 2025, I learned that my cancer had “woken up” and was growing significantly. Because most of my EHE lesions were in my liver, Dr. Van Tine suggested we try a medication to slow the growth while starting the process of liver transplant eligibility. This was a big development, but I continued to trust my team. I was officially listed for transplant in August 2025 and received the greatest gift of new beginnings on December 18, 2025, when I received a new liver. I truly cannot find the words to describe the care I’ve received from day one of this journey. I have never once doubted my oncologists, transplant team, surgeons, and nurses at Siteman Cancer Center and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. I’ve always felt seen, supported, listened to, and cared for. I won’t lie and say transplant recovery was a breeze. However, I get stronger every day. I am closely watched by my hepatology team at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and my oncology team at Siteman Cancer Center. Due to Dr. Van Tine’s unfortunate passing, I now see oncologist Dr. Mia Weiss. She too makes me feel completely at ease, seen, and cared for. How lucky am I to receive all my care in one place? It is a gift I do not take lightly. I think the hardest part of this journey has been, and will continue to be, living in the unknown. I want others currently living in the unknown to ask themselves, “Why NOT me?” and to always remember that they can do hard things. The unknown is a weird place to be, but I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many beautiful, strong, amazing people through this journey. This journey has shaped me as a person and taught me how to just live — the EHE slogan. I am forever indebted to Siteman and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Their care and expertise are unmatched. I am also forever grateful to you and other donors who invest in the care and research that lead to better outcomes for patients like me. I’m eternally grateful for all the love and support my people, my community, and strangers have given me. And lastly, to my selfless donor who gave me a new beginning, I promise to live a life of kindness — one your family would be proud of. I am so grateful for this community. Thank you for being part of my story.