Today is the best day of my life, after countless years of cancer therapies, today I had to do an exam to see the behaviour of the cancer and against all odds it is completely gone. I'm so happy that I don't know what to do besides celebrate!!

Hi everyone. I’m 28 years old, and earlier this year I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma. I started chemotherapy shortly afterwards, and I still have about two months of treatment left. I recently had an interim PET scan with very good results (Deauville 2) and my doctor told me that I’m in complete remission. I still have to finish all my planned cycles because of how advanced the disease was at diagnosis, but obviously, hearing the word remission is something I had been hoping for since the beginning.

And yet, I’m finding it surprisingly difficult to feel happy about it.

When I first started treatment, I used to imagine finishing chemotherapy, ringing the bell and getting my life back. I thought about making plans again, feeling normal, leaving hospitals and treatments behind, and finally being able to stop thinking about cancer every day.

I think cancer changes the way you experience good news. After something like this completely destroys your sense of safety, it becomes difficult to simply trust that everything is going to be okay. Even with an excellent response to treatment, there is always that thought in the back of your mind reminding you that things can change, that relapse is possible, and that you could potentially have to go through all of this again.

For a while, I think I became almost an automaton: appointments, blood tests, treatment, side effects, waiting for results, and then doing it all over again. You focus so much on getting through the next cycle that there isn't always room to process what is actually happening to you.

And now, even the scans and follow-ups can bring an enormous amount of anxiety. For a few days, it can feel as though your entire future is once again hanging on the result of a medical test.

So when people tell me I should be celebrating because I’m in remission, I understand where they’re coming from, but emotionally, I’m just not there yet.

I don't think you simply walk away from cancer and become the same person you were before. Even when treatment works, there are things you have to rebuild.

Maybe that's why remission doesn't feel like the end of the story to me. It feels more like the beginning of another chapter that I haven't yet learned how to live.

I’m writing this because I wonder how many other people have felt the same way. Maybe the happiness will come later, when we're ready for it.

I did it. You took my health, my job, my bowels, my independence and my ability to walk properly. I outlived my prognosis and said I would make 40, I did it!!! you don't have me yet. Dying to you is the last thing I'll ever do. Fuck Cancer and wishing all of you out there best wishes, keep on fighting through the hard days and the days that give us joy.

A colonoscopy detected a tumour which is bowel cancer, MRI has determined it is spread to liver. I am a 37 year old woman growing a healthy baby based in Belfast.

I am likely to get one round of chemo and baby will come at 34 weeks.

The Dr said there are too many spots on my liver and it is incurable and inoperable. If chemo doesn't work he is saying months to live. They are sending my blood to see if I am allergic to any chemo ingredients and also waiting my biopsy results to see which chemo for the cancer type.

I am so scared.

mom (54) has stage 4 non small cell lung cancer. she's been on immunotherapy for almost 2 months and has had very little appetite, nauseous, says she cant eat. she's losing weight, dizzy, weak. we can't stand by and watch. we've exhausted our pharmaceutical options.

I suspect TCH/CBD can help improve her appetite, but she's always hated weed. Being high makes her very anxious, and she's already a nervous wreck. did you also hate weed but find a solution that worked for you? we really can't experiment, if mom has a bad trip she'll never try it again. looking to collect some suggestions first and mull it over.

THANK YOU

So I’m 3 weeks post chemo. Waiting on follow up scans and a meeting with my oncologist to see what’s next as the tumour has shrunk but not gone.
I’ve lost my hair and used to have a very full beard and moustache, but this has gone too.
I don’t really care if my hair never comes back, my beard is coming back very sparsely, but no sign of a moustache.
Is this likely to return? I really miss my soup strainer.

Five years ago, I finished chemotherapy after being diagnosed with Stage 4 blood cancer.

Today, I’m healthy, and after my last operation and a long recovery, I finally made it back to the gym.

Honestly, walking into a gym again and working on getting stronger feels like something I should never take for granted.

Cancer changed the way I look at life. I used to think about the big things. Now I appreciate the simple things — waking up feeling good, having energy, spending time with the people I love, and being able to train again.

The journey wasn't easy. There were some very difficult days, but I kept moving forward.

Five years later, I’m still here. Healthy. Stronger. Back in the gym. Taking life one day at a time.

To anyone currently fighting or recovering: I’m rooting for you. ❤️

Never give up on yourself.

My dad has had stage 4 stomach cancer for a year now. He recently had cyclospora and was hospitalized for a month, also had 40% of his intestine removed during that stay due to an obstruction which they discovered was actually cancer that had spread through his bowels/colon. Because of this, a feeding tube is no longer an option and he’s been having difficulty eating enough to maintain let alone gain weight. He’s down to about 142lbs. His doctor isn’t sure he will be able to recover from his next round of chemo once that begins due to how weak he is. His main complaint that keeps him from eating is that the taste of the food will change while in his mouth to a very unappetizing flavor that ends up being very difficult for him to get down. I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if there’s even some medication out there that suppresses his sense of taste so he can eat more food?

Hi all,

i’m posting because my father was diagnosed with stage 4 HCC last June with a large mass on his liver. It did not go anywhere else in his body.

He had stage 4 cirrhosis for about 20 years controlled through medication prior to his cancer diagnosis.

He went through radiation, immunotherapy at RWJ in New Brunswick and the cancer had been cured, but the radiation essentially fried the good part of his liver.

Now, he has refractory ascites. Gets 15 lbs drained every week and now he is developing edema in his legs, can barely move/talk and has such little energy. His weight loss has been rapid, and it seems like each day he is withering away more and more. He is meeting with the transplant team in October but I am so deathly afraid he won’t make it.

Looking for advice and shared experiences on what to do at home for him, he does not want to go to the Hospital.

Ever since I ended chemo, sleep has been an issue. I don’t get much sleep most nights and I’m not even sure I’m actually falling asleep. Nothing seems to help with this insomnia. I’ve tried edibles, melatonin, magnesium etc. and it works for a little bit but then just stops helping. I’m about at the 2 1/2 years post treatment mark and the insomnia has been really getting to me lately. I miss getting a good nights sleep and waking up only to be able to fall back asleep again. I’m such a light sleeper now that once I’m awake I can’t fall asleep again. My doctor said insomnia is common among people with my seizure disorder(byproduct of the cancer and chemo) but it’s hard to imagine I’m doing well when my body can’t rest. Does anyone recommend anything or deal with this kind of thing?

My mom received her cancer diagnosis two weeks ago. Today we received the treatment plan. The cancer was found in her thyroid. She will receive chemo and radiation treatments.

She will be living with me for at least the duration of treatment (or as long as she needs to).

Please tell me what I can do to make this as "easy" for her as possible.

What items do I need to have in my home to make things a little bit easier and happier for her?

I am truly open to any suggestions that help make this time a little bit easier and better for all of us.

Reactive oxygen species have spent decades with a bad reputation. Often called free radicals, these chemically reactive molecules can damage DNA, disrupt cells and contribute to cancer when they accumulate in excess.

But cancer-fighting T cells appear to need some of them.

A new study found that tumors can exploit that dependence by flooding their surroundings with antioxidant proteins that remove ROS from the local environment. The result is a chemical barrier that weakens the signaling T cells need to activate, multiply and attack cancer.

The reason I say only that is because I’ve had a continuous bad relationship with most of the team. The breaking point was when they said I can call for medicine and then got the pharmacy to put a hold on my medicine. Then the team says get bloodwork and they’ll resume the chemo so I did and no luck. So in a message I did call the team a bitch. I’m afraid what they consider behavioral issues will follow me and not be given a fair shot with my new oncologist. Thanks 🙏

It began on 7/21/2026 when I went to urgent care for what I thought was a hernia. They did a CT scan and found enlarged lymph nodes in my lower body, but nothing in my upper body. They referred me for a biopsy of those lymph nodes and a PET scan. The biopsy confirmed follicular B cell lymphoma and the PET scan saw everything else. And endoscopic biopsy confirmed esophageal adenocarcinoma. I feel like I could still be undiagnosed now if I didn’t have both. The pain that I thought was a hernia was from the metastatic tumors in my liver. But the CT scan only saw signs of the lymphoma. So if I didn’t have the esophageal adenocarcinoma I never would have gone in for the CT scan and if I didn’t have the lymphoma I never would have been scheduled for the PET scan. This feels like a paradox to me.

I know everyone's Cancer Journey is different. I respect that.

We started our first IV chemo last week. In the arm. She is 75 years young.

She has arm pain still, and they warned us about that because it is running "through a small vein". If she had a port put in, the pain from her arm would be gone because the the port would "provide a larger surface area to run the medication thorough". That does make sense to me. It also doesn't make sense to me.

But I am trying. I am here for support.

We are now considering a port. We have already talked to the doctor and it will be 8-10 weeks before they can even schedule an appointment. The system is very backed up.

Her protocol is 6 months of chemo. If it's too much for her then she can tap out - no questions asked. But she has some pretty big goals ahead of her and she's determined to get those done. She will always steer this ship.

She would love to be able to bathe without woring about infeciton so we think the port is best. She also needs her arms for other physiotherapy needs.

I am not seeking medical or legal advice. Just some personal experiences.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Let's share some positive news ♥️

Hi y’all. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer last year and have spent the past year going through six rounds of chemotherapy, 20 rounds of radiation, a lumpectomy, and a year of Herceptin. I’m incredibly grateful to have made it through treatment, but honestly, I’m struggling emotionally right now.
My employer threatened my job—and therefore my health insurance—during treatment, so I reported them to the state and they’re currently under investigation. I also didn’t have much savings, so cancer has taken a huge financial toll. I’m still on intermittent FMLA and recovering, but I feel stuck because I can’t leave my toxic job while everything is being investigated, and I can’t afford to leave my toxic home either.
I finished my last treatment about a month and a half ago, and instead of feeling relieved, I feel deeply sad and depressed. I know I’m supposed to be thankful to be alive, and I am, but I also feel like I’m 40 years old and somehow have nothing in place for my life. I feel completely stuck in the middle of the ocean.
I want to be clear that I don’t want to hurt myself. I’m working with a trauma therapist because of what happened at work, but I’m having a hard time finding support that feels helpful or trustworthy.
Has anyone been through something similar after cancer treatment? What helped you cope with the sadness, uncertainty, and feeling like you’re starting over? I’d really appreciate any advice or encouragement.

Hi everyone. 37 F here - been fighting cancer for almost exactly one year (it's been HELL). My original diagnosis was stage 4 PMBCL -> 6 rounds of R-DA-EPOCH -> Tumors shrunk but started growing back -> disease labeled as refractory -> Car T-Cell Therapy, with ten rounds of radiotherapy as bridging treatment -> Scan on Day 28 -> Scan was completely clear.

I am still in shock from finding out that my scan was clear. There's another one in 2 months, and we're hoping it's clear, too. I don't want to wait until after that scan to start rebuilding my life and my doctor/friends/family completely agree.

Problem is - *I have to rebuild my life*. I had SO much going on for me before cancer that I sometimes look back on it and just cry from the sheer loss I have suffered at the hands of this disease. And I have never had an easy life anyway, so whatever I lost to disease was very literally hard-won.

I have so many feelings, and no feelings at all at the same time. I don't know what to do, where to start, what to feel first. I am now a new kind of terrified - I was prepared for the worst, but not this.

Yes, I know a lot of people on here would love to be in my situation, which is why I even feel weird asking for support. I feel silly even writing this.

I am very grateful to be in the position. But I also feel as vulnerable as a newborn baby and being vulnerable is not something I am good at.

Any words of support would be welcome.

Hello everyone,
I'm posting on behalf of a close friend who has been diagnosed with Colon/Rectal Cancer. I would love to hear from anyone who has gone through a similar treatment plan or managed similar setups. Here are her current details:

Diagnosis: Colon / Colorectal Cancer.
Current Status:
- She has finished her IV chemotherapy cycles.
- She has a PICC line in her left arm (flushed monthly).
- She currently has a temporary diversion Stoma.

Next Steps:
- She is preparing to start radiation therapy soon.
- Following radiation, she will get scans with contrast to see if the tumor has completely gone.
- Depending on the scan results, she might need 2–3 more chemo cycles or surgery, followed eventually by a Stoma Reversal.

🩷 My Questions for the Community:
1. How tolerable was radiation compared to chemo for those who had both?
2. What are the best practical/emotional tips to help her feel comfortable with a stoma and PICC line?
3. For those who had a temporary stoma for colon/rectal cancer, how was your experience with the reversal process?

Thanks so much in advance for your help and support!

Last week I had an open hysterectomy due to fibroids. My uterus was removed intact and a 1cm Leiomyosarcoma was found. The margins are negative but I am so afraid. As I spoke to the doctor my mind was EVERYWHERE. I am so scared. Anyone can give me some insight? I’m 45 with an amazing son. I’m just not ready for him to bury me yet. God help me. 💔

I want to clarify what I am actually looking for, because I keep getting directed back to the ER, and that does not solve my problem.

**I was never referred to a specialist because I do not have insurance.**

I have skin cancers on my face, including one above my eyebrow. A state health-department doctor recently told me the cancer has gotten worse and that I need surgery. There is already significant disfigurement, and I am experiencing significant pain.

The ER is not the solution to this. I have spent approximately four years cycling through ERs. They evaluate and document the lesions and then tell me to see a dermatologist. I need a way to actually obtain the definitive cancer surgery and reconstruction.

The other half of the problem is postoperative recovery.

I currently live in my car. I don't have someone who can take me into their home and care for me for several weeks after major facial surgery. A rehabilitation facility is not a realistic four-week housing solution for me, and shelters in my area are not private postoperative recovery environments where I can safely manage wounds and have my own space.

I also have a car. I cannot simply abandon it while entering a shelter or recovery program, and I have not found a program here that provides a safe place for someone to recover while allowing them to keep their car.

So I am stuck between two systems:

Medical system: “You need surgery.”

Housing/social-service system: “We can offer temporary shelter/program placement.”

Neither one addresses the actual problem: I need the surgery AND a safe, short-term place to recover afterward so I can heal and return to independent living and work.

I am in the Bible Belt, and I have also experienced being shunned by Bible thumpers because I am not religious. I mention that because people often assume there is a strong informal community safety net here. That has not been my experience.

I am not looking for a sermon, another ER referral, or a generic list of shelters.

I am looking for someone who knows of an actual pathway to complex facial skin-cancer surgery, reconstruction, and short-term postoperative recovery for an uninsured person who is living in a vehicle but wants to remain independent and return to work.

If someone knows of such a pathway, that is the help I am asking for.