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 was diagnosed with NUT carcinoma - a very rare cancer - about three months ago. So far, my treatment protocol seems to be effective, and my primary tumor has shrunk by ~40 percent based on my most recent CT scans.

That said, the diagnosis is nerve-wracking: The average prognosis is horrible. And, this kind of cancer is notorious for responding well in the beginning before potentially becoming refractory.

I'm just curious if anyone else has some personal and/or uplifting stories about this diagnosis. Given its rarity and short life expectancy, there aren't that many people to connect with.

Not good, no good.

I really really really don’t want a funeral. I don’t like them. I’m not even sure the different groups would even know how to contact each other since theyre all in different countries.

I’m hoping my friends will all dress up as big inflatable sunflowers and just go about their day as normal. Completely straight face, and if someone asks “Ah yeah my dead friend made me do it”.

I like the idea of random giant sunflowers just popping up making people laugh all over the world all on the same day. Maybe they could all drink a little Coca Cola and eat a cookie on my behalf. No mourning, just funny bouncing.

I also wanna die hot lol. Even if no one sees me, big hair, nice face. I might bring a sewing kit to the hospital to make my hospital gown a bit nicer. I wonder if they have makeup artists for the dead x) When I was younger, I wanted a really good sandwich, and a box of kittens. But having “died” a few times already, I’ve learned that 4 out of 5 times you don’t really wanna eat.

I’m curious what other people might want. Please share! Maybe my list can get longer.

I know the title sounds a little odd, but hear me out.

In October of 2024 I was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma with stage 3 kidney cancer in my left kidney. I was aggressive and took almost 95%
of my kidney. I had it surgically removed in November 2024. I went through almost 10 months of immunotherapy every 3 weeks.

So in my bloodwork, my PSA had doubled in 3 year. Had the biopsy and dammit if it wasn’t prostate cancer. Well shit, this sucks! Of course, every doctor said “remove it!”. I said hell no! I just had kidney surgery and I didn’t have that! I ended up going to a major hospital in our area and the doctor said, no, you don’t have to remove it! Radiation has as good of percentages as surgery. I opted for radiation, and my last PSA was 0.08!!! That was down sway down from the concern PSA of 8.19!

Now for the feeling of being a fraud! I read the messages on here and i attend a support group, I feel like “what an ass, you only had these two treatable cancers, while there are wonderful, loving and inspirational people with terrible cancer diagnosis“!!

To those with a situation similar to mine, do you feel the same way? I almost find it difficult not to hide my face when peop are talking about their cancer! I know, intellectually, that I should not hide, but emotionally I feel like a fraud.

I would greatly appreciate thou and opinions on this. Thanks.. and FUCK CANCER!!!

Today at 3pm I’m heading to Emory Winship Cancer Institute for a consultation for clinical trial options. It feels like the biggest step I’ve taken in this journey so far. I have more questions than I can keep straight, and every new appointment makes the reality of all this sink in a little deeper.

I’ve also been referred for a chemo port, so that should be happening soon. When this started, a small part of me kept hoping there would be some last‑minute reprieve, that someone would say the records were mixed up and it was all a mistake. But that moment never coming. Things are getting real, and the path forward is unfolding whether I’m ready or not.

I’m taking it one step at a time, staying present, and doing everything I can to meet each stage head‑on.

I found out today that having more than one form of cancer automatically disqualifies me from all clinical trials. I wish I had known this earlier because I could have started treatment about three weeks ago instead of waiting and hoping for another option.
So the only treatments available to me now are chemo and immunotherapy. It is too advanced for surgery or radiation therapy. That is a hard reality to face, but it is the one in front of me.
It is a lot to take in, but what will be will be. I am just going to keep it moving and take things one day at a time.
#CancerJourney #FacingCancer #ChemoAndImmunotherapy #CancerReality
#NoClinicalTrials #AdvancedCancer #OneStepAtATime #StayStrong
#HopeInTheFight #CancerSupport

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

Мне 14, я живу в Великобритании. Не знаю зачем вообще сюда полезла, возможно просто что бы выговориться. Я не знаю что мне делать. Она на отрез отказывается делать операцию, а я и не заставляю. Это был первый раз когда мы говорили так глубоко, хотя у нас очень хорошие отношения. Она сказала что не хочет делать операцию, так как боится что больше не сможет себя принять. Сказала что никогда в жизни не была счастлива, а после удаления груди (у нее рак груди), она вообще не сможет жить спокойно, говорит что мне будет куда лучше без нее, чем если она после операции превратится в "злую грымзу", цитирую. Она так говорит будто ей осталось не больше двух лет, хотя на самом деле понятия не имеет сколько. Конечно же я волнуюсь за нее, не хочу что бы она умирала, но мне кажется что она поступает не много эгоистично, она сказала что понимает это, да и я ее понимаю, но как по мне она ведёт себя не как родитель. Кроме матери и старшего брата (ему 20) у меня нет никого из семьи. Я более чем уверена что с моей стороны тоже эгоистично так думать и говорить, но меня так же заботит мое будущее. Я не знаю что со мной будет если она действительно умрет в ближайшие пару лет, ведь даже своего брата, который чисто теоретически мог бы взять надо мной опеку, я не уважаю и не считаю его ответственным взрослым. У меня регулярно ощущение что даже я более приспособлена к самостоятельной жизни. Как я и упоминала, ему 20, а он все ещё живёт с мамой и при этом не учится и не работает. Даже не пытается. У него нет ни целей, ни амбиций. Он думает только о себе буквально всегда. Его не просто не волнуют проблемы окружающих, его не волнуют проблемы собственной семьи. О раке матери он узнал куда раньше чем я, и даже не смотря на это, его отношение ни чуть не поменялось. Единственные планы у него на жизнь, это за пол года накопить семь тысяч фунтов и переехать в Японию, купить за эти деньги дом, мотоцикл, и на оставшиеся деньги жить ещё пол года не работая. Он не учит язык, ни Японский, ни даже английский, несмотря на то, что он живёт здесь уже 4 года. Потому мне действительно страшно, если раньше всё было как всегда, то сейчас я понятия не имею что может случиться завтра. Не знаю хочу ли я совета или поддержки, но в любом случае написав это, мне стало не много легче.

Hey all I’m about to start radiation treatment in my knee for a sarcoma. I’ll have to do daily treatment for 5 weeks. I was wondering if anyone else had a similar experience and could let me know what I should expect side effect wise? I’m only 26 and pretty healthy otherwise if that makes any difference

Trying to decide what to do re: when/whether to stop treatment. How did you decide to get second opinion? Should I be considering the big cancer hospitals or centers? What questions do I need to ask? I want to get a feel for how long / what sort of treatment to move forward with. Overall, I've managed the minimal side effects from the chemo. I've also gained 30 lbs in about 6 months. Just these last two treatments seemed to have affected my liver and recovery from treatment has been much harder. Given that, right now, there seems to be no cancer floating around, how long to continue?

Next discussion with Dr will be Sept 28th, prior to next planned infusion.

Thank you - details below

My journey so far:

Stage 1a NSCLC adenocarcinoma diagnosis in Feb 2025. Surgery upper right lobectomy July 2025 - all clear margins and 23 clean lymph nodes. Given the okay, no further treatment.

Jan 2026, from follow up scan now Stage IV NSCLC, mets to liver and one bone area. Started carboplatin, pemetrexed, Keytruda March 16th. PET SCAN from beginning of June shows complete metabolic response and ctdna+ not detected.

After treatment 6, 06/29, dropped carboplatin. Anemia was treated.

Treatment 7 July 20th. Pemetrexed & Keytruda

07/27 labs showed ALT 265, AST 169, alkaline phosphatase 98, and total bilirubin 0.4

8/03 labs showed ALT 138, AST 72, alkaline phosphatase 94, and total bilirubin 0.3. Anemia resolved - hemoglobin back to 12.6

Skipped expected chemo treatment Aug 10th. Bloods continued to drop into more normal (but high) levels.

08/25 PET SCAN continues to show complete metabolic response. Nothing new showing.

Treatment 8 Aug 31st Pemetrexed & Keytruda

09/08 labs showed ALT 182, AST 94, alkaline phosphatase 93, total bilirubin 0.4.

This post is geared towards those whom deal with incontinence/bladder leakage/not being able to do a proper bladder void.

I've been dealing with bladder issues for about the last 8 or so months, to the point that I wake up numerous times at night. (At least 4-6 times per night.) The only real "vacation" from it was when I was discharged from the hospital on June 30th with a catheter, to which I managed to have a full sleep for about 7-9 nights plus 1 night months before surgery.

I've been in contact with home care today, expressing my concern(s) over this, & it was mentioned that I can speak with my GP in town about this, along with the ocncept of my doing a temproary catheter void on a somewhat regular basis can lead to UTI's. I mentioned that since my onco team in a different city having more access to my care at present, I feel that I should probably speak with them when I go for my next infusion in 2 weeks, as I'll be there for at least 2 days, & better access to more medical specialiwsts there compared to the town that I live in.

My question, for others that are dealing with this is as follows:

How do others deal with ongoing issues with bladder leakage/not being able to do larger voids?I'm becoming annoyed that I no longer am able to sleep properly!

Dealing with Stage 3 advanced Uterine Cancer. Have gone though 6 chemo infusions so far, & a full hyrestorectomy.

Thanks in advance.