Survivor Spotlight: Finding Strength Through Art and Advocacy

In November 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Leslie from Laredo, Texas, found herself fighting not only a life-threatening diagnosis but also the challenge of being heard.

Leslie was misdiagnosed twice—first with hepatitis A, then with allergies—after experiencing severe itching and jaundice. Her symptoms were repeatedly dismissed due to concerns about potential COVID-19 exposure. But she stood her ground and stayed at the hospital until she finally received an MRI, which revealed a mass.

Discharged with a drain to manually remove bilirubin, she didn’t wait for answers. Leslie traveled straight to San Antonio, Texas, and went to the ER. The hospital team there started from scratch, running tests and quickly assembling a group of doctors. By December 2020, she underwent surgery to have the tumor removed.

In the midst of the whirlwind, she stayed positive—at first. “I think I was in a state of shock that I was very enthusiastic and positive,” she says. “It wasn’t until after my surgery that everything kicked in and I felt so many emotions.” Thankfully, she wasn’t alone. Her parents, husband, and daughter were by her side throughout her journey.

Once she had a clear diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), she could begin the proper treatment plan. It began with surgery, followed by six rounds of chemotherapy. She then moved to regular monitoring through scans and blood tests every three months. Her oncologist also connected her with Natera for biomarker testing and mutation tracking, which she continues to receive quarterly.

She found the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) and is thankful for it, and her strong support system. She offers advice for others just beginning their journey: “Always speak up. Look for a second or third opinion. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s because it isn’t.”

One of her greatest sources of comfort and healing has been art. Crafting has become a vital outlet, both creatively and emotionally. “It helps me with my anxiety and depression. It allows me to keep my mind and hands busy, plus I get to expand my creativity,” she shares. She regularly posts her projects on social media, where her work and her story have touched many. Many of her projects are tailored around cholangiocarcinoma awareness. Follow along on TikTok and Instagram @lesazm.

What has surprised her the most is the kindness of strangers. “By sharing my awareness journal, it has surprised me—all the love and support I receive and how people are willing to contribute to the cause by donating green materials for my journal. It truly is a wonderful community.”

🎨 Watch her share her passion and creativity through crafting: