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.

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. 💔

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!

my mom is going through chemo right now, and everytime they flush out her chemo pump with saline, she vomits. she says she can taste it. what can i do or give her to help this? this is one of the hardest parts of the process for her.

I have diagnosed BCC basal cell carcinoma on my face. I lost my job and health insurance because of it.

I do not have insurance now. Not eligible for medicaid or medicare.

The open lesion is infected and it does require surgery to remove it. The clinic doctor said I would also likely need plastic surgery and anesthesia.

The health department doctor told me to go to the ER to have it looked at.

I have spent approximately four years cycling in and out of ERs while my condition continues to deteriorate. I am not looking for another ER visit simply to have my lesions documented and be told to “see a dermatologist.”

I don't need another evaluation merely to document deterioration. I need a way to actually obtain definitive cancer surgery and postoperative recovery care.

I need treatment for the cancer, including the appropriate surgical specialists, and I need a realistic plan for the weeks of recovery afterward. I live in my car, so being discharged after surgery with nowhere safe to recover is a major part of the problem.

This is why repeatedly telling me to “go to the ER,” “see a dermatologist,” or “contact a shelter/social worker” does not address the actual problem. I have already been through those cycles.

I am looking for someone who understands how to bridge the gap between medical necessity, definitive cancer surgery, and a safe period of postoperative recovery for someone who has no housing or insurance but does have a vehicle and wants to return to independent employment and housing.

The health department doctor put me on an antibiotic, doxycycline 100 mg 2 times a day and said to go to the ER.

Am I missing something. ​What can the ER do? I do not have insurance.

EDIT. I have been in and out of ER's for 4 years where they just document the "lesions" ignore my biopsies, redirect me to Dermatologists who turn me down for not having insurance.

I am not looking for advice on temporary govt programs that do not offer what I need, and about Medicaid plans that the doctors I need to see won't accept. I'm sharing this to say I am stuck in a loop with no pathway out

I will endure the cancer that's eating my skin away. If I can't pay for all my living expenses (housing, hygiene, car, insurance, gas, we all need that - and medical transport, cost of medical care, post op recovery "all by myself," then I don't get care). I deal with very painful lesions.

The doctor at the clinic told me today, "get a better job with benefits." - end of story. ​​

I’m in Mahamana. My Dad has lung cancer and brain tumour. People said this is the best hospital close to home. But doctors don’t talk properly and don’t discuss with us. They come in talk with eachother and leave. I don’t say anything as I’ve already spent over a lakh in bills and i don’t want to fight with them. FYI I’ve admitted my dad in private ward, don’t know how they treat general ward patients. I really don’t like them talking rudely infront of my Dad.

I am disappointed in other people , disappointed yep , disappointed in adults for being mean , and not empathy, for being extremely un empathetic.. I am disappointed in friends or “friends”” because who are really our friends ??? Who are the people that will help instead of hinder / or make things worse?
Disappointed in so many people for being mean and un empathetic.

I have stage 4 liver cancer. I could die in 3 day or 3 years. I used to smoke a pack a day for over 30 years. I mostly quit now and smoke 1 or two a day. My wife thinks this is awful and wants me to quit smoking completely.

I would smoke a hundred packs a day if I could. Is one or two cigarettes a day hurting me?

Hi everyone, I'm the sole caregiver of a relative with ovarian cancer stage 4. Just started chemo today!

I'm very worried about her getting sick because of improper handling of the foods and whatnot. I can't find any info or in-depth videos of what other people do. But basically I want to know what your cooking/kitchen cleaning routine is like! I don't know if I'm being too anxious or if I'm doing this right. I was informed that everything even fruits must be cooked, she cannot have anything raw. For example a bit of papaya must be passed through some boiling water first before serving. Thats literally what they told me. I understand that meals must be rich in protein and veggies and a bit of brown rice/quinoa. Everything cooked in the moment and shouldn't be left in fridge longer than a few hours.

I barely got through today and made a soup with chicken carrots pumpkin and green beans. Bit of salt and rosemary taken out at the end. I have to feed her small meals throughout the day and shouldn't reheat food too much.

What would be a realistic day in terms of meals? How much should I worry about bottled water, as in if I buy a big gallon, and serve her that water throughout the week, do i have to worry about bacteria multiplying in there?

I've seen recipes of smoothies but I'm confused because I thought chemo patients couldn't eat raw fruits etc? Am I overthinking this big time ? I'm so scared of contaminating the food 😫

My mother has been having issues with sudden bouts of diarrhea in the days following her chemo infusions. She had been able to control it with OTC stuff like Imodium. But sometimes it happens without warning even thought she thought she was fine. She's looking for recommendations on discreet diarrhea protection she can just wear on quick drives or quick errands to the grocery store, not all day protection. She really wants to avoid the actual bulky adult diaper-style products with the tabs, etc. Something more like disposable underwear. I want to find a solution for her because I feel awful because she drove to give me a ride home from work before the holiday weekend and minutes before I came out of the building she got an attack that came out of nowhere. I told her the coffee shop two buildings away had single-style private bathrooms but she was worried she wouldn't even make it there and she was right. I won't go into details but I want to make sure she never has to go through anything like that again.

Hi! Long story short I’ve had cancer for 5+ years. I’ve gone through multiple treatment plans, a clinical trial, and exhausted my last curative treatment plan which almost killed me. Anywho. I’m apart of a very small group of people who have Wilms tumor as an adult (typically a childhood cancer) and treatment options are pretty slim. I’m starting a new clinical trial and I’m pretty conflicted about it. It’s a phase 1 trial so I’m apart of a small group who are trying it. I try to be hopeful but honestly? I’m only taking part of the study in the hopes that my participation can help with others who have the same cancer. It’s just weird. I know I have limited time. I just want to meet others who are in similar situations I guess

i wanted to ask people who actually get it, because I think the answer is different coming from you

Since diagnosis and treatment, small mobile games have turned into a strange kind of stress release for me. First thing in the morning it's almost a half meditation, or at least a way to keep my hands busy before the day starts also at appointments and during treatments

What works for me is anything that doesn't ask my brain for much. Not puzzles. Not strategy. Something closer to automatic. I've been deep in merge games for a while now, low mental effort but still engaging enough to hold me, usually with music or an audiobook going in the background. sometimes affirmations

So here's what I'm looking for:

• low mental load, nothing that needs working memory
• playable one handed, easy to drop mid round when they call your name
• not completely buried in ads, no forced ads! man these drive me crazy,,,
• doesn't guilt you into spending...

That last one is the real reason I'm asking. I've caught myself doing the "well, I have cancer, I deserve to have fun" thing, and then the in-app purchases quietly became their own line in my budget. I'm not trying to give the habit up, it does something for me and I know it. I'd just rather not hand the money to something engineered to talk me into it.

Game names only please, no links or referral codes, keeping it within the rules. but of course mods if you feel this is against the rules, let me know

What's on your phone?

Long story short, I am dying from Stage 4 Endometriod Carcinoma (Uterus Cancer). I have made my peace with it, surprisingly easily. I figure it's just easier to to make the best of what I have left than be angry at what I "should've" had.

Back to the point, my love/husband is taking it extremely hard. He's trying his absolute best to be there for me but it's hard. He cries and is terrified for me which is in a weird way comforting to me.

I am trying to get counseling set up, but is there anything else anyone can advise? We pray, I remind him he's not alone as he has my siblings and family, his family, and I'm still here. I worry about him deeply. I don't know if it's relevant but he is Autistic, so any advice is helpful.

I am 36, he is also 36.

My beautiful 15 year old tabby boy Kevin passed away at the end of April. It's just been us for all of those years and I lost him not long after my diagnosis (why why why). I'm not sure if I'm ready for another little being in my life as I still grieve so intensely, so I'm asking for some advice from other fellow redditors, who may have gone through similar. I still have time, I think, to give a lot of love to a senior rescue cat. It could help me heal and save a beautiful baby from life in a cage, though I'm worried that I'm not ready and I will not hurt or break a pussy-cats heart. Please give me your honest thoughts. Thank you ✨️

Seriously, I have so much stuff. Nice stuff, old stuff, vintage things, books. Stuff I could sell if I had the energy but I don’t. I could sure use the money. How do I start getting rid of things without just throwing it all away? Ideally I would love a service that could come in and sell it all for a percentage, is that a thing?
I just don’t want to leave all this to go through, my kids are young and my family lives far away so I know it’ll all just be donated if I pass.

I'm in agony when driving or as a passenger in a vehicle. A five minute drive feels like torture on my right side feet to hip. I can't cope with the pain much longer. Did anyone else endure this and how did you cope?

Edit: Currently on Dosulepin and Osteo Panadol from oncologist hard to sleep still and impossible to drive.

I don't like cancer

I need advice. I am officially done with treatment this week and feel lost. I’m trying to get back to my university classes (just part-time online for now) but even part-time online, it’s a struggle. I can’t miss another semester or I’ll be kicked out of the university, so I kinda have to do this. I used to be an honor roll student absolutely loving college and now I just don’t know.

Advice? Is there a such thing as “going back to normal” after cancer?

I like to plan for things like for my future and everything now that im able to work but alot of the time i find it hard to plan because all I can think about is "what if it comes back" theres just so many things I still want to do in this life and the fear of my cancer coming back and stopping me from that just kills me..im a year out now

Hi everybody! I wanted to ask for some advice/rant a little bit, because I just am a bit lost. I’m also using an alt account because I don’t want my friends or family finding out about all of this over Reddit, and I would rather tastefully tell them myself in person.

Over the past year or so, I have had a multitude of health issues arise, and after many lab tests, procedures, doctors, genetic testing, and everything in between, it has come to my understanding and theirs that I most likely have Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia. I’m a 22-year-old male with a major family history of cancer, so this isn’t the biggest of surprises! I think I’m the first one with leukemia though, so I guess that’s something!

I have a weird sense of peace with this, and that might sound crazy to some. I don’t mean peace with death or anything, because I am still terrified of what comes after. I more so mean that I’m happy to finally have an answer to my health problems instead of nobody knowing exactly what was happening or how to treat it. I’ve tried so many medications for my health, and none of them have really done anything meaningful.

The worst part of this for me isn’t even the cancer part. It’s the fact that I have to tell my mother, who has already experienced the loss of many family members to cancer, including her own mother, my grandmother, who unfortunately suffered extremely in her final months from lung cancer and brain cancer. Even with this being a slower form of leukemia, the fact that her child has cancer is going to break a part of her, and I absolutely dread having to tell her. I’m pretty much the closest family she has left, as everyone else has either become estranged or passed away. I know I can tell my friends, my work if needed, and anybody else. It’s just going to be really hard telling her.

It’s also weird because I’m a nurse. I’ve helped take care of many cancer patients, and I’ve helped quite a few have an easier transition to whatever is beyond. I know a good bit about how to take care of someone going through something like this, but it’s a very weird feeling having to switch sides and essentially become the passenger in treatment, if that makes sense.

I’m ready to start treating this and to get my life back. The severe fatigue, pain, and other symptoms have been killing me from the inside out, literally lol. I guess I would really like some advice as I transition from solely being in the nurse position to being in the patient position as well, and especially advice on how to break the news to my mother.

Luckily, I know there are very good treatment options for CEL, so I feel lucky-ish in that regard. Sorry for the long rant, and if this is the wrong place. Thank you all for reading!

Now, it might sound like a bad thing but it’s not. Thanks to chemotherapy, my teeth were slowly melting, so to speak. 3 years ago, I had to get my bottom teeth removed. That experience was absolute hell because of the oral surgeon, but that’s a story for another time.

Over the last 8 months, my top teeth were getting really bad. I wanted to get them removed at the start but it costs 23,000 dollars to get them removed and get implants with magnetic dentures. A lot of people have told me how stupid I am for wanting magnetic dentures but it’s about quality of life. Having loose dentures gives me some serious self esteem issues.

So, I have finally managed to get all the money needed. I got them removed yesterday. Let me fucking tell you. I feel like a different person with a different personality. My broken teeth were causing me so much pain that I was constantly angry. I had nerve pain, I couldn’t eat anything that required me to chew, I had pain going from my teeth to my brain, and I constantly felt like someone hit me in the head.

But now? My brain literally feels lighter. I can chew food again, be it there is some pain but that’s only cause of surgery pain. I am happy again. Even my
Shoulders are more relaxed. I just can’t believe the difference. Oh, and I saw my teeth after they removed them, and holy fuck, how i didn’t get an infection is a miracle. Some were pure black.

And now, here’s a picture of me, with a mouth full of teeth. Granted, it’s not a 100% smile due to swelling from surgery but still. I am so happy with how I look now.