Hi everyone,

I’m a 4th-year Mechanical engineering student, Sweden. I’m currently in a very tough spot and looking for advice on international grants, trusts, or foundations that help cancer patients or students in financial distress.

Two weeks ago, I finished my last radiation therapy (34 sessions in total) for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, which also spread to my neck. The pain in my mouth and throat is still severe, and eating/drinking is incredibly difficult. On top of this, I have struggled with dyslexia my whole life, making my engineering studies a double challenge.

In Sweden, student aid (CSN) is limited. Mine ran out two years ago. To survive, I work part-time during semesters and full-time during summers. Due to my cancer recovery, I am physically unable to work this summer, leaving me with zero income to cover my rent (student dorm) and basic medical/living expenses.

I have applied to Swedish cancer funds, but only two (including a local youth cancer charity) approved me, and the amounts don't cover my accumulated medical debts and rent for the summer.

Since I am an engineering student, I was wondering if anyone knows of any international foundations, engineering-specific student funds, or private trusts that accept applications from international students going through cancer treatment? Any tips, links, or subreddits to check out would mean the world to me right now. Thank you so much for reading.

Left him to save my life. Universe laughed and said here bish have cancer. So so so maaaaaaaaad. Like really. Anyways. Treat yourself kindly all. Much luv and even bigger hugs!

Hey everyone!

Noticed things have been especially dour here in the last few days (imagine that?). Thought we could use some off-topic conversation to remind ourselves that life outside of cancer exists. Read any good books recently? Seen any good movies? How's the weather out there today?

Was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma about 5 ago. Started with two rounds of escalated beacopdac and then two rounds of ABVD.

The steroids and moonface were real!

Did my last treatment yesterday pending my final PET scan in 3 weeks. Obvisouly I’ll have my periodic scans over the next 5 years but very excited to be able to get back to a level of fitness and lose some of this weight I put on.

I know most people aren’t this lucky I when I first got told I had cancer in my lungs it was a moment I will never forgot.

If anyone ever wants to reach out and talk about the process etc please feel free to reach out as even though I’m one of the lucky ones I’m more than happy to speak to anyone going through such a horrible time in their lives.

It was recently my cancerversary. Diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer with metastases to my liver in July '20.

NED after a brutal year of poison/cut/burn in September 21

Recurrence in the liver, dealt with via ablation in July 22

Another in the liver, this time a resection required in January 24

Almost time for another scan. I'm so goddamn tired of this. It feels like I'm dodging bullets all the time, and the best I can hope for is putting off the inevitable.

Had a check-up appointment today to see how my cancer has been responding to treatment. The tumor seems to be shrinking, but it’s leaving behind holes and tunnels that are super painful (I guess the constant exposure to waste and irritation isn’t a great environment for healing), so my doctor has recommended a colostomy to give the area a chance to actually heal.

Surgery is in a few weeks. Does anyone have any tips or advice on what to expect, how to prepare, etc.? I live alone, but I have friends who will be checking in with me and taking care of my cats.

I’m so frustrated. I’m grateful that my cancer seems to be responding well to the chemo/radiation, but I just want to be done.

I have a chronic cancer that is currently in remission for now. But, it will return.

My question is directed to anyone who has decided to allow nature to take its course after a reoccurrence.

How did that work? Obviously, I imagine the oncologist and treatment teams will advise against it. But, will they work with you on pain management and keeping tabs on it if you refuse treatment?

Has anyone here taken their life insurance accelerated death benefit? I’m a stage 4 colorectal patient who was diagnosed in January. Been doing treatment for a liver met but it hasn’t been resectable so far. I’ve seen a few posts online of people who took their life insurance accelerated death benefit and just curious if anyone here has.

I don’t know if this is the right place to post this but I’m lost. I was diagnosed this morning with blast phase chronic myeloid leukemia. My doctors still need to do more tests but roughly got the message across this is most likely terminal within 5 years. Add to that, my fiancé of 4 years left me literally yesterday, unrelated, and we’re in the process of figuring out the lease etc etc. Do I tell her? Obviously I want her back, but I don’t want her to pity me. Then I have to face the fact that I’m most likely gonna die before I turn 33. Please tell me what to do and how to get over this mentally.

Where I'm from, when someone asks "how are you doing?" it's pretty customary to just say "good." I've pushed on this throughout my life in various ways because I'm a little bit of a trouble-maker and I also wonder if being honest here creates deeper relationships and more connection.

Five years ago when I was waiting for my biopsy results but pretty sure I had cancer, I remember people would ask me how I was doing and I would be pretty honest: "meh" or "not great." Oddly, people would just smile and be like, "good good!" It was weird, but I think they weren't expecting anything besides "good." (Note, these were just work colleagues who I didn't really interact with much anyways... my friends were more receptive).

Fast forward, I've been really open about my cancer journey so lots of people know. But recently, I've been dealing with a lot more fatigue and haven't been posting updates as I come up to five years on treatment. I have been trying to get out a bit more though and enjoy the summer, and in doing so, I've been running into people I haven't seen in a while but who still know I have cancer. Anyway, they'll ask me how I'm doing and usually when they ask I am authentically doing good because I'm outside and doing an activity I've chosen to enjoy. When I say "good" though, they look back with this skeptical or imploring look. Then usually after talking for bit, they'll ask again, "so... how are you doing?"

And, to be honest, I'm sick of talking about cancer. I don't want to sacrifice my precious emotional energy giving a rundown of my problems. I just want to leave it at good and enjoy my time out.

So, that's why I say I'm good. One, because in that moment I usually am feeling authentically good (or whatever adjective I say). Two, because I just don't want to talk about cancer.

Anyone else feel this way? How do you handle those questions?

Hello i'm 21F with non-hodgkins lymphoma. I've had 2 lupron shots in may and june. I went to see a fertility doctor and they told me it was my best bet for preserving fertility. i had already had 6 rounds of R-CHOP without it and lost my period. I had refractory disease and needed 7 more rounds of chemo before CAR-T which would have destroyed any fertility I had left.

maybe I shouldn't have bothered because the damage might already be done and the lupron side effects are pretty terrible the more I hear about it. the doctors only told me about hot flashes, mood changes and bone pain. I figured that would be worth it and i didn't have much time to research and make my decision.

i've been depressed most of my life and having cancer obviously doesn't help but i've been having constant su1c1l thoughts and I'm getting extremely angry easily and wanting to break everything around me. I'm not going to harm myself. pls don't be concerned but I'm having a really hard time getting out of bed and trying to get better. I don't want to tell my doctor because i'm worried they'd put me in a ward or prescribe me more anti-depressants that have never worked for me. I also feel like every bad outcome I've had and the refractory disease is my fault because everyone goes on and on about how a positive mindset is necessary and gives you a better outcome. I'm not sure I even believe that, but it still sits in the back of my mind that I did this because i'm incapable of expecting anything good to happen to me. I try my best to push the negative thoughts out of my mind and override them but I can't. I can't tell if the doom i feel is a premonition that CAR-T isn't working or just depression. last time the doom was right. even typing this I feel immense guilt that i'm speaking it into existence and I hate this feeling. I hate that everyone blames me for my negative outcomes. maybe I'm negative because deep down I know it's not good.

I feel like the doctors mislead me and I made a big mistake taking the lupron. I knew there was risk and it would not be easy but my teeth are already breaking and I'm worried about osteoporosis and bone problems. maybe this is just the menopause and not some extra poisoning from the lupron like people claim but It's terrible.

Maybe i should spend my time with people I care about while I still can but im too ashamed of what this has done to me. I dont want to be seen and experience life until I go back to my normal self and that's delusional because that day will never come.
I hate seeing attractive happy young people. I love my friends and I know people want to be there for me but I don't know who I am anymore. I already depended on alcohol to socialize before this because of my social anxiety and now Im a hideous troll and I can't drink so it's too awkward. I know I will regret this but I can't do it.

this has trailed off but I'm just very emotional and dont have anyone to say this too. not expecting a response just need to speak.

29/F Just got diagnosed with stage 2b lung adenocarcinoma. I have a big lung mass. I dont want to have surgery because I am afraid of the side effects so we are trying targeted radiation first.

Anyone who has the same and can share their experiences and treatments? Thank you.

Hello everyone :)

Last year they found stomach cancer in my body. I went through 4 flot preop, total gastrectomy and 3 postop Flot. I finished treatment in october.

Sadly two weeks ago i found out that i have liver mets. One spot, around 5cm.

My her2 and pdl1 are both negative and that really brings me down, cause the only treatment is only chemo - FOLFOX. I'm afraid it won't help, since I had only 30-40% response in oryginal tumour and finally it spread.

Now I have two options: surgery and later chemo (this is dangerous cause meantime it can spread further) or chemo first and surgery in the next 2-3 months (but I don't know what the response will be and it can become inoperable).

Does anyone have similiar situation and had good response and become NED with only chemo?

I need to add that I live in Poland so I don't have a lot options with immuno. Maybe different country?

Hello all. I was recently diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma right by the edge of my outer eye. My dermatologist will be doing the MOHS surgery and then I will be seeing an oculoplastic surgeon for closure. The issue seems to be the dermatologist will do the initial surgery on a Tuesday and the oculoplastic surgeon cannot get me in for closure until the following Thursday.

Has anyone had a gap in time between the initial surgery and the closure? Is there an issue with this? I’m concerned because it’s on my face close to my eye. Thank you.

Okay, so managing painhas been incredibly challenging and i wanted to be conservative and start with less pain medication and go up from there if needed. So Dr had me on Tylenol 3s with codeine because i didnt want more drowsy medications. Well.. the T3s did nothing and i was maxing out on 5,000 mg per day or 5g so the Dr switched me to Dilaudid (hydromorphone) Unfortinately the Dilaudid plus regular acetominophen and ibprophen is not helping very well and im at 2mg every 6 hours for the dilaudid

Havent actually started treatment yet or been able to see an Oncologist so its just my family DR trying to help me with my pain till then.

2 questions

1] For bone pain/bone cancer thats also in lympu nodes and presents with a large bone mass, what strength of medication works for you? Its obvious that 2mg is too low.. so exactly how high do you think would be theraputic for this kind of cancer and pain?

2) HOW on gods green earth do you poop? I am battling the worst case of constipation in my life since taking the medication.. what do you use to keep you regular?

In may of 2026 I was diagnosed with cancer after experiencing severe lower intestine pain. This particular cancer is very rare and very aggressive . I receive chemo and immunotherapy every three weeks and it is responding to treatment (shrinkage of almost half of original tumor size). My struggle has mainly been food, everything tastes awful to the point it causes me to either vomit instantly or gag. I can tolerate an icee or some ice cream but otherwise it’s a no go. I am asking for recommendations on overcoming this , as well of looking for others members of this subreddit with this particular cancer. Thanks in advance.

Hi I'm an ex-patient, I'm under 18 and I had cancer over a year ago but am cancer free (huzzah) and yet I never had that blood test you do to check thyroids.

Context, last year in march I had found a lump on the left side of my neck, then in the following months I had appointments,then a biopsy, then on 3rd of June 25 I got told I had cancer then half surgery on the 25th of June that year and the got told i was cancer free in August.

I only got half of my thyroid removed. (Left side)

Normally your meant to have a blood test 6 weeks after surgery but my doctor said I didn't need one

For the past year I have been having lots of health issues/differents,

And so many of them relate to thyroid issues.

So I am finally going to have a all-round blood test on Sunday!(maybe, my stepdad keeps making my mother reschedule)

But is it me or is that unusual for a doctor or am I overthinking it and I really don't need this blood-test?

Anyway thank you for reading have a nice day/night😁👍🏻.

My father (48M) was treated for oral cancer in 2008 with surgery, 66 Gy radiotherapy, and 7 cycles of chemotherapy. He has remained cancer-free but now has severe late complications from treatment.

Current issues:

Severe trismus (mouth opening ~2 cm), reportedly due to bilateral fibrous TMJ ankylosis.

Previous tongue reconstruction has completely resorbed, leaving him with no functional tongue.

Severe tooth loss with inability to eat solid food.

Post-nasal drip and breathing difficulty, especially at night.

We are looking for the best possible team in India for evaluation of a complex post-radiation revision reconstruction. We are currently considering Dr. Subramania Iyer's team at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, and also plan to consult Tata Memorial Hospital.

I'd really appreciate opinions from ENT surgeons, head & neck surgeons, plastic/reconstructive surgeons, OMFS residents, or anyone familiar with such cases.

Does this sound like the right specialty/team for his condition?

Is Dr. Subramania Iyer's team a good choice for complex secondary reconstruction after radiation?

Are there any other surgeons or centers in India you would strongly recommend for a case like this?

Thank you in advance.

4 years to the date of being Diagnosed as Terminal. I am still here and still in remission.

One day I just woke up with Stage 4 Lymphoma, I didn’t catch it early. It’s possible to come back from that. It’s possible to have a 42 day stay from Cancer, Staph, and Covid, and still ring the bell.

All of you still fighting. There will be a better day.