Influencer Sydney Towle, 26, has shared a candid and difficult update regarding her ongoing battle with a rare bile duct cancer, revealing she is experiencing constant pain and nausea. In a recent post on her Substack, Towle described her current reality, stating, 'I haven't really wanted to touch my phone. All I want to do is sleep, not be awake for the pain and constant nausea.'
Towle, who was diagnosed with the rare cancer three years ago, recently gained attention for her appearance at Miami Swim Week. This event occurred just weeks after medical professionals had advised her to explore end-of-life care options. Despite the challenging prognosis, she made a notable catwalk appearance, describing the experience as a "dream come true." However, she admitted the event took a toll on her health, leading to significant pain and nausea upon her return.
"I haven't been showing it because I've been trying to take in as much of the week as possible and enjoy it, but I have been in a lot of pain, and I'm still extremely nauseous," Towle stated in a video shared to TikTok. She explained that while she plans to seek further medical attention, participating in the event did not alleviate her discomfort. "Regardless of if I had gone or not, I would be in pain and nauseous. That's just the nature of where I'm at right now."
Towle detailed the medical challenges she faces, including a large tumor on her duodenum that obstructs the passage of food and liquids. She is currently connected to an IV for pain medication, but finds the doses insufficient without causing significant drowsiness. "I press the button for pain medication, but it's never enough," she wrote. "But it's also too much. I don't want to sleep all day [and] become a zombie."
Medical professionals had presented Towle with difficult choices, suggesting, "You have a very large tumor sitting on your duodenum, blocking any liquid or food from passing through. You also have a lot of liquid pressing on your intestines now. We understand if you don't want to proceed. You've been through so much, if you just want pain medicine and to be at peace, we support that." Towle reported that everything she consumes is regurgitated shortly after. "But I still drink juice and tea anyway, it's all I want, even when it comes back up 10 minutes later," she shared, describing the process as "painful" and "acidic."
Physically, Towle feels significantly older than her 26 years, experiencing bladder leakage if she does not urinate frequently. She mentioned the possibility of a central catheter but expressed reluctance due to the potential for increased pain. "[I'm] supposed to get a central catheter but I don't want to be in any more pain. I'm sick of the constant pain," she somberly wrote.
Despite the severe pain and bleak outlook, Towle maintains a resolve to continue fighting. "When asked if I want to keep going, I say of course," she stated. "I can't imagine going out peacefully at this point when I've been fighting for so long to stay alive. Maybe this will work. Maybe, and statistically much more likely, it won't. But I want to try."
Towle's oncologist had previously informed her that he would no longer treat her and recommended transitioning to end-of-life care. However, Towle refused this recommendation, stating in a video, "I said no. We are not at the point where we're giving up."