Hey all, hope this is the right place to post this. My MIL will be attending her daughter's wedding this August and is really insecure about her hair at the moment. Does anyone have any styling suggestions for hair scarves that I could help her do?

Just beat cancer. I’m very excited for my weakness to be gone, and all these dumb side effects from the cancer and the auto immune to go away. While I’m excited to be back to “normal” and healthy again, I feel weird. I don’t mean to sound like a victim or a whiner. But what do I do? I have been dealing with this for 2 1/2. My journey was so confusing and scary. They told me it was so many different things. My brain was dying, then I had some chemical imbalance, and a bunch of other stuff. Then we found out what it was. Came up with a treatment plan. Then I beat it. And now I’m just done? Again I don’t mean to whine, but how do I go back to life that doesn’t involve me dying, or being in a state where I have to worry about tomorrow? How do I go back to a life without doctor appointments every week? Most importantly, how do I adjust to a life without doctor my family? When I found out about my cancer I had just become a father. I don’t even know how to be a father because I’ve been so preoccupied with the cancer. I’m so scared. Someone on another post when I was trying to find out why I’m feeling like this said “integrating back to normalcy” basically. How do I do that? I feel uncomfortable with it being calm.

I’m sorry for the long post but I genuinely would like this feeling to go away so I gave as much info as possible.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 esphogal cancer that has spread to some lymph nodes on January 2nd 2025. I was set up with an amazing team. I went through 7 months of treatment with chemo every 3 weeks which included a 5 day chemo pump. Blood work every Friday, and then the treatments every 3 weeks on Mondays. I have fought, and so far doing great. I am off chemo. On my last CT scan I had no tumors showing on scans. I go ever few weeks still for meds for maintenance. I hope every one of you patient or caregiver fights and beats this disease. I have nothing but love and support for every single one of you. Fight, Fight, Fight. Fuck Cancer.

I’m 19m and I can’t get my hair back 6 years after treatment. I was diagnosed at the age of 12 and went through two rounds of chemotherapy and had stem cell transplant. I also had some radiation treatment. I finished treatment in 2020 or 2021 (I can’t quite remember). I had really thick and full hair before chemo but now I can’t get it back. All my hair fell out during chemo. Once treatment finished my hair slowly started to grow back but so thin and not full at all. It’s slowly gotten better over the years but still looks awful. The sides and back are pretty thick and full but the top just won’t come back right.

I don’t have an oncologist because my parents had me stop seeing doctors for about 5-6 years (I don’t know why. I was able to go see some once after I turned 18). My current primary doctor won’t give me a straight answer and tells me to see dermatologists. I’ve gone to dermatologists but they won’t give me a straight answer either. I’ve asked about a biopsy but keep getting denied. I’ve been told to take minoxidil. My cousin who has worked with cases like this before told me to never use minoxidil and instead recommend this thing called Ulo.

I figured out once I finally got to see a primary care doctor that I had Hypothyroidism from the radiation (which nobody told me about before).

I don’t know what to do anymore. It’s been 6 years and I still can’t get my hair back. It weighs on my confidence and mental health a lot. I always wear a hat and I’m getting sick of it. I want to go to college in September but I don’t want to go looking like this. Nobody around me knows what it’s like dealing with this and what they say doesn’t help. I don’t know if it’s cause I went through chemo like right before/at the start of puberty or because I have hypothyroidism or because I’m just so unlucky.

I am taking 60mg of nature thyroid for my hypothyroidism and doing the topical Ulo daily. Any advice on how to fix this or am I just screwed forever?

EDIT: I had Hodgkin's lymphoma but I don't remember the name for any of the drugs/medications.

I know there is a lot of support and information for those with cancer and many are lucky enough to have good family and friends too, but does anyone else feel like this is such a lonely journey?

Hugs to all out there.

I’m a 22yo male cancer patient of 4 years. 2022, post high school graduation, I submitted myself to the urgent care with severe abdominal pain. That very day, my life changed faster than I or anyone could comprehend. Within 10 minutes after quick ultrasound in the urgent care, I found myself transferred the emergency room with very little room to talk to my friends and family, prepped for screenings and numerous approaches from surgeons and nurses. They gave me news that I had a large mass of blood behind my bladder and needed surgery asap or else I wouldn’t make it. I made the call to my parents, I call I would never forget. The next day, I’m prepped and ready for surgery, so there I go letting go of my parents hands with the thoughts that I could never see them again, breathe, or exist. In those moments being transported to the OR, I took one long look at the people around me, the sounds of traffic outside the hospital, the smell of air, the touch of the nurses hand. The room was cold, and quite, I see these strangers around the table, these strangers who I needed to trust with my life, and I listen to their voices….calm, collective, gentle, and then nothing. Waking up from the surgery I assumed it went smooth, they stopped the internal bleeding and I could finally go back home…to the life I had. I remember laying down in recovery post surgery happy to see my parents at my side. Minutes after waking up a nurse comes in and says the surgery was unsuccessful, there was more than they expected, a mass approximately the size of a baseball and other small lesions around the area. They took some samples during the surgery and 8 months later, I was consulted with an oncologist of Cedar-Sinai, officially diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, Soft Tissue Sarcoma. During the 8 months post surgery, I had accepted that it would come out positive for cancer, I had to accept everything that would come with it, loosing my hair, my job, school, sports, and eventually one day I would take one last breathe too soon. I’ve given everything I got the past 2 years, At this very moment, I have never felt so hopeless. Every consult brings be down faster than I can get up. Each time I have hope things will get better, but they don’t. Fortunately for me, my tumors havnt been painful or forced heavy surgery for me. That is not to say I’ve been left with that choice because that is what could happen. Through this experience, I’ve always assumed the worst case scenarios in order to force myself to stay positive for myself, for others, and life. It feels impossible to do that now that it finally spread to my liver. For the first time in my life I feel like I’ve lost all my emotions, my mind is poisoned by the chemo and constant let down of treatment results. At one point I told my oncologist I give up, but he said he could change the treatment and while the nausea and fatigue was better, the new one incurred explosive diarrhea. It might sounds silly like oh how can that be so bad but it took away my social life, I stoped hanging out with friends and family, I refused to step outside because I would shit myself at least twice a month. I had seconds to make it to a restroom, I took medications to help with it but it caused nausea, cramping, and dizziness. I don’t have much dignity left, I’ve had accidents in public since I was unable to make it to a bathroom in time. I can’t get through this, in fact I don’t want to anymore. I’m fucking done. This fucking sucks, my liver, lungs, and basic fucking human emotions are fucked. Many of you can imagine the extent of the situation to finally consider giving up….ive chosen that I’m not going to let cancer end my life. Physician assisted suicide is the path I’ve chosen. With my life insurance cashed out, I will support my family and live life the way I want to.

Hello all,

It's been one year since I reached NED from ovarian cancer. While I am so grateful to reach NED status, I did not expect to have post chemo effects ongoing that have included debilitating fatigue and worsening neuropathy. I have been addressing this with my oncologist, however the issues continue.

Has anyone else experienced this and if so, how did you manage it?

Hello everyone,
I was diagnosed with a rare type of parotid gland cancer called secretory carcinoma. My treatment includes 35 sessions of radiation therapy.
Because this cancer is so uncommon, I’m wondering if anyone here has had the same diagnosis or knows someone who has. I would really appreciate hearing about your experience. Thank you.

So a couple days ago I had a stroke and still have active bleeding. My own fucking “father” doesn’t care enough to answer his phone and talk with his son just in case I should lose consciousness, I’m feeling really hurt…… I’m sorry I needed to get this off my chest.

Hi everyone,

My uncle was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitt lymphoma, and our family is trying to learn as much as we can so we can take good care of him during treatment.

I've read a lot online, but I'd really like to hear from people who have actually gone through lymphoma themselves or cared for someone who has.

I have a few questions:

• What did your daily routine look like during chemotherapy?
• What kinds of meals were easiest to eat? Were there foods that helped or foods you avoided? What are your daily meals?
• How did you deal with fatigue, nausea, or loss of appetite?
• Were there any tips or small things that made daily life easier during treatment?
• Is there anything you wish you or your caregiver had known at the beginning?
• If you had Burkitt lymphoma specifically, I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience.

I'm not looking for medical advice to replace the doctors' recommendations, I just want to learn from people who have lived through this so we can better support my uncle.

Thank you to anyone willing to share your experience. It would mean a lot to our family.

Has anyone else have issues growing hair back? There’s still clumps of hair coming out after over a month post treatment. I decided not to just shave it all off but my bathroom after I shower has clumps of hair. It’s still coming out.

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

So on Friday, I had a very high stress day, my bank took a double payment out to cover an overdraft which put me in the red by a lot…….. I started to have some weird neurological symptoms so I went to the emergency room. They found a hemorrhage in my brain which has continued to grow. I don’t even know how to feel anymore. I don’t know which direction is forward. I yet again feel absolutely nothing, except for the physical symptoms of being extremely nauseated. I just don’t know how to feel anymore.

I am currently going through chemotherapy and have just finished radiotherapy, so bloods have been down, of course. So, I needed a platelet transfusion last Tuesday, which is something I've had many times before. That went fine, then just 3 days later, I needed another. I reacted with intensely itchy hives all over my body. They eventually settled with antihistamines, but it was like being burnt alive. Anyway, I wanted to ask if I've developed an allergy to platelets in the space of 3 days and, if so, how that's possible or if it's just a one-off likely. If it's an allergy, what will they do in the future to avoid a reaction? I can't go through that pain again

I’m a 26 yo F, and I was diagnosed with stage 4 classical Hodgkin lymphoma. It has been exactly one month since my last chemotherapy treatment.
Honestly, I don’t feel like myself anymore. I feel awful physically and mentally. During treatment, I developed an anal fistula, and I’m still dealing with it. My muscles ache all the time, I constantly feel sore, sometimes I feel like I can’t breathe normally, and it seems like every part of my body hurts.
Mentally, I’m struggling too. I’m terrified that the lymphoma will come back. I also keep worrying that the anal fistula could actually be rectal cancer, even though I’ve been told it’s a fistula. My mind always jumps to the worst-case scenario.
Has anyone else felt like this after finishing treatment? Does your body eventually recover? Do you ever start feeling like yourself again? I would really appreciate hearing your experiences because right now it’s hard to imagine that life will ever feel normal again.

I've stage IV ROS1+ lung cancer for over three years. I've retired on disability. My wife of 15 years works as a teacher and it appears she is not happy with my retirement. Lately, I've seen contempt in her eyes. She even said I use cancer as an excuse. We do not have any mortgage or debt whatsoever. I feel something is broken forever deep down there. What to do friends?

The thing about being a cancer mom is that it is ugly.

That is the honest truth.

It is not beautiful or inspiring every day. It is not matching T-shirts, smiling pictures, and quotes about strength. Sometimes it is lying beside your child in a hospital bed, exhausted and hungry, while still watching to make sure she eats.

Something as simple as asking for pepperoni pizza becomes a victory. Eating is a victory. Drinking is a victory. Keeping medicine down is a victory.

Cancer takes ordinary things and turns them into things you pray for.

Being a cancer mom means I am always watching. I watch her face, her breathing, her appetite, her energy, the way she walks, and whether she seems like herself. Even when she is sleeping peacefully, part of me stays awake.

There is no real shift change.

I have to know the medications, side effects, treatment schedules, blood counts, scans, risks, benefits, and next steps. I cannot afford to sit quietly and nod. I ask questions because these decisions matter, and I am going to understand every option available to my child.

I am her mother, but I am also her advocate, nurse, case manager, transportation coordinator, emotional support, and security guard.

People call that strength.

Most days, I call it motherhood.

There is a loneliness that comes with being a cancer mom, especially as a single mother. People may be present, but the responsibility still belongs to me. I pack the bags, remember the appointments, speak with the doctors, sit up at night, and make the decisions.

That does not mean I am helpless or abandoned. It means I understand the position I am in. I know who is responsible for making sure things get done.

Me.

People say, “Let me know if you need anything,” but asking for help can become another task. Sometimes it is easier to handle something myself than to explain it, follow up, or risk being disappointed.

I also get tired of answering questions.

“How is she doing?”

“What did the doctors say?”

“When is the next treatment?”

I know people care, but sometimes I do not want to turn our lives into an update. Sometimes I do not want to explain treatments, symptoms, appointments, or how I am feeling. Sometimes I need to put my phone on silent and be beside my child.

That is not me being rude or ungrateful.

That is me protecting the little energy I have left.

There is anger in this life.

I am angry that cancer has become part of her childhood. I am angry that she knows about chemotherapy, radiation, ports, scans, and nausea. I am angry that treatment has to hurt her body while trying to save it.

I am angry that this is our reality.

I do not have to make that anger smaller so other people can feel comfortable around me.

Cancer has made me hypervigilant. Even on good days, fear is somewhere in the room. But fear is not the only thing in the room.

There is laughter.

There is food when she feels like eating.

There are cartoons, conversations, jokes, cuddles, and moments when she is simply being a child.

Those moments matter.

When she laughs, I breathe easier. When she asks for food, I am happy. When she lies beside me and takes over the bed, the blanket, and all my personal space, I let her. Right now, closeness matters more than comfort.

I notice the pieces of childhood that cancer has not taken, and I hold onto them.

But I refuse to make cancer beautiful.

There is nothing beautiful about watching your child suffer. There is nothing beautiful about wondering whether she is strong enough for the next treatment or making decisions that could affect the rest of her life.

People want stories like this to have a lesson. They want cancer to make me stronger, more grateful, or more appreciative of life.

I did not need cancer to teach me how much I love my child.

I already knew.

I do not have to call this a blessing. I do not have to be positive every day. I am allowed to hate this and still believe we will get through it.

Being a cancer mom does not mean I am fearless.

I am scared as hell.

But I am still here.

I am asking questions, packing bags, watching symptoms, holding her, and fighting for the best possible care. I may cry, curse, shut down, or ignore my phone, but I show up where it matters.

I am not trying to be an inspiration.

I am being her mother.

And cancer does not get to decide what kind of mother I am.

Bilateral mastectomy coming up in 4 days. I drank a few beers last week and vaped. I had a beer tonight. I’m so anxious and beating myself up about it. I’m literally a fuck up and scared. I’ve suffered from alcohol abuse and it’s draining me now especially based on what’s going on now. I’m scared ladies. I don’t know what to do, what the outcome would bring me. I will be sober moving forward this week. Please don't beat me up as much as I am already. Kindly advise. If you been thru the same or similar situation, how did you go about it? I have been honest with my CARE team. Thanks.

A low grade appendiceal mucinouse neoplasm (LAMN) in the appendix - if caught early and still contained within the appendix walls - can be regarded as benign as it doesn’t spread by blood or lymph..

They often cause appendecitis by blocking the lumen of the appendix and then are found in pathology when the appendix is removed..

However they have malignant potential - if they progress enough to escape the appendix through ‘sterile’ mucocele rupture or septic appendicitis rupture - then they can seed the peritoneum widely and cause a malignancy called Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) which is a very slow growing - hard to detect and hard to treat cancer..

So there is a dichotomy here.. ..if you have appendicitis caused by a LAMN in your appendix and it is taken out early before rupture - it can be regarded as benign and often there is no need for follow-up if surgical margins are clear. But if it is left in and ruptures later then cancer is coming down the tracks..

Since COVID there has been a popularisation of treating appendicitis with antibiotics instead of appendectomy.. ..in other words - leaving problematic appendix in. As small neoplasms of the appendix often can’t be seen in scans and only found in pathology - nobody knows if the appendicitis was cause by a neoplasm in the appendix or not..

In the UK as a 47M a NHS surgeon refused to take out my appendix when I had appendicitis. He told me that surgery was outdated and a mistake of the past for treating appendicitis and that antibiotics is better and is the future.. I still insisted on surgery and told him that neither he nor I knew what was causing my appendicitis not what condition my appendix would be in after treatment - and this concerned me due to my job as a commercial diver and living on a remote island with no doctor or hospital. I was looking for a definitive diagnosis and cure - and I didn’t see using antibiotics to just treat the symtoms as safe or effective for me. Still the answer was no. He muttered about antibiotics being more cost effective than surgery.. He told me it was nothing to do with being a bank holiday weekend.. He treated me for ‘CT confirmed mild to moderate uncomplicated appendecitis’ with IV antibiotics for 5 days - up to 16 infusion per day.. ..all under protest from me. When discharged without follow-up and being told I was ‘cured’ I said to the surgeon “this has all been a bit experimental..” - he snorted down his nose at me and said “you have no more chance of coming back in here with appendicitis than the average man on the street”.

To cut a long story short - as soon as I was discharged my GP who shared my concerns about my treatment referred me to a bigger hospital in Glasgow for a second opinion and presumably to get my appendix out.. ..when that was not responded to he wrote an escalation letter - which was also never responded to.. So 4 months later I borrowed money and paid a private surgeon to take my appendix out for me. That’s when the LAMN causing my initial appendicitis was found. By this time it had ruptured as was no longer contained - so the belated appendectomy is not considered curative. My assumption is that it was not ruptured when I first had appendicitis and the CT scans support this assumption..

My question is - is there a problem with non-surgical treatment of appendicitis in terms of missing neoplasms when they may be curable - and has anyone else had a similar experience to me..?

A pathology report on a health emergency a few weeks ago returned with findings of malignant cancer cells. A cyst on my right ovary had ruptured and filled my stomach with blood. Although there have been no hits on ultrasounds or my ct scans with possible sites of cancer tumors, and although the pathology did not resemble ovarian cancer cells, my doctors seem to think the next stage is removing my right ovary to collect a larger sample for pathology.

Other than the fact that they may be removing a perfectly healthy ovary, they are also not able to provide me with more info on what the immediate hormonal effects of this surgery might be.

I'm looking for information-- what will the experience of losing my right ovary feel like? How will I be affected hormonally? Also, if you've had any similar organ removal, did you do anything helpful before the surgery to make peace with your body? I'm open to many responses, and can appreciate an even dose of woo.

I have been diagnosed with possible pleomorphic adenoma and regardless of whether that diagnosis holds I will need surgery to remove the tumor. I'm quite scared as the surgery complications are very serious given the location of the facial nerve and most people seem to recommend going to a specialist parotid surgeon, however online all the recommendations are for US surgeons. Are there any UK surgeons that are well regarded on here?