r/cancer

Hi. I was diagnosed with rare type of soft tissue sarcoma cancer. Chemotherapy not working on this type I was having radiotherapy... I was then later come to be on Sunitinib and I was have very bad side effects in fact I almost die from it being hospitalised doctor give me very little chance to recover from the side effects as I was going through heart attack at the age of 35 just not long ago I started the new treatment. In hospital while recovering I was having time to think. "My cancer is slow growing and it will kill me in few years and before the treatment apart from chronic fatigue I was have no other symptoms... now the treatment almost killed me in 3 weks time and I have lots others bad side effects".

This cause me refuse treatment. Now I am 36 and apart from fatigue I have no other symptoms of the disease. I not even lost weight in fact I even gain some . My tumour stay same size and is not visible because is small under the skin (I know if will be growing I will feel bone pain) ... yet when I tell people about refusing cancer treatment they call me selffish because I have child and I should going through naighmare for my child otherwise I not love my child. What you think about it

Tomorrow is six months since my emergency surgery to put a rod and some other hardware in my femur to stabilize the femur and pelvis. I’m also meeting a new surgeon, as my surgeon is retiring at the end of the year and can only be seen during the week and I’m getting ready to go back to work Tuesday through Saturday and this guy is available on Mondays so I get to meet a new guy. I’m anxious to see the imaging because I just found out from my endocrinologist appointment a couple weeks ago that I actually have two pelvic tumors and one femur tumor. The surgery was for the femur and then I did radiation for the femur and pelvis metastatic tumors. Then I did a Bisphosphonate infusion that apparently really attacked the pelvic tumors, making them so painful that I was back to the same kind of pain that I was in originally with the femur tumor that had eaten away the bone so much that it was only a couple centimeters left. Now I’m struggling with organizing someone in the five oncology teams to take care of my pain. My endocrinologist tried to have the ortho guys prescribe, but they said they don’t, I think I’ve had three now say that they don’t and then I had the one medical oncologist drop me all together. So this endocrinologist is saying that he is going to refer me to Pain Management, which I hope is within their hospital. If not, I’m asking for a referral to palliative care and I’m also asking for a new medical oncologist because there has to be more than one in a hospital system right? I’m hoping so. I’m so terrified that I’m going to run out of my meds because I have no refill on it and be left with the two that are non-narcotic and might not even touch the pain. I’m very nervous about it because this bone pain is no joke. And I feel like nobody is listening to me. So, we will see how tomorrow goes and see if this new dude listens. Wish me luck! Everybody have a great Monday! 🌻

41F with cancer but would love a buddy or even someone to date. Is it too late?? I miss Dating even just the basics of having someone to cuddle me to sleep. Is that pathetic ??

Hi everyone,
My mom lives in the US and was recently diagnosed with stage 4 endometrial cancer. She started treatment a few weeks ago and is currently on her second cycle of chemotherapy, with four more cycles to go.
Her doctor has recommended adding immunotherapy to her treatment plan, but the cancer treatment center is still waiting for the insurance company to approve it.
My concern is that her current health insurance, which she gets through her employer, seems to have limited coverage for some of the treatments she needs. Since her diagnosis, she hasn’t been able to work because she is still recovering from the effects of each chemotherapy cycle.
I’m trying to understand what options she might have to get better insurance coverage and access to the treatment her doctor recommends.
For those familiar with the US healthcare system, I have a few questions:
Is it possible to upgrade or change her health insurance plan after being diagnosed with cancer, or would she have to wait for the next open enrollment period?
If her insurance company is delaying or refusing to approve the immunotherapy, is there a way to appeal the decision or request an expedited review?
Are there any programs or resources that could help cover the cost of treatment if her current insurance doesn’t cover enough?
Since she is currently unable to work because of her treatment, are there other health insurance options she could qualify for, such as COBRA, Medicaid, or an ACA Marketplace plan?
We just want to make sure she has access to the best care possible without unnecessary delays because of insurance issues.
I’m based in the UK, so I’m not very familiar with how health insurance works in the US. Any advice, personal experiences, or resources would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much

Hi everyone. I’m 35, married with two kids, and was diagnosed with endometrial cancer back in July. I had a hysterectomy in September, and thankfully my cancer was caught early. My doctors are recommending observation, which I’m incredibly grateful for, but the fear of recurrence has been difficult to deal with.
One of the hardest parts of this journey has actually been feeling emotionally unsupported by my husband. Since the day I was diagnosed, he’s struggled to understand why I’m so upset or afraid, especially because my cancer was caught early and my prognosis is encouraging.
I’ve been told I’m weak, that I worry too much, and that I should be happy instead of crying because I received good news. I know I have so much to be thankful for, and believe me, I am! But receiving good news doesn’t automatically erase the fear and emotions that come with having cancer.
I’ve reached a point where I don’t even talk to my husband about my feelings anymore because I usually end up feeling worse afterward. And honestly, that’s been heartbreaking.
I love my husband, and I’m not looking for advice about leaving my marriage. I’m just hoping to connect with other men and women who have experienced something similar.
Has anyone else felt emotionally alone in their marriage during or after cancer? How did you cope? Did things eventually get better?
Sometimes it’s just nice to talk to people who truly understand. ❤️

Going to be cross posted for a few ideas.

I've struggled as a metastatic breast cancer patient with how to interact with friends and family, and one thing I have noticed are many people commenting the same. Perhaps friends and family members were trying to help and just said something that felt wrong, or us as cancer fighters felt like we couldn't express the way we feel about our fight. I had some conversations with family members, and had a thought.

I've got degrees in English and writing, and I have wanted to find some way to use my cancer journey to make some impact on the world aside from slowly losing my hair and my dignity. I am thinking of trying my hand at writing a book, by a cancer patient, but for all the friends and family members of cancer patients on what we want them to know about our journey, of what helps, and what DOESN'T help, and how to show up for us.

I'm trying to decide if I want to write it from the viewpoint of a cancer patient or specifically a breast cancer patient (the journeys can be very specific for different types of cancer) and flesh out ideas for my outline.

So I'm throwing myself out here to ask a few questions:

Is this a dumb idea? What are your thoughts and opinions about such a book? Would you also as cancer patients think such a book would be helpful? What would you put in a book like that if one existed?

If anyone wants to answer a few other questions that would help me flesh out ideas beyond my own experiences:

What's something a loved one said or did that really helped you?

What's something people say that hurts, even though they mean well?

What do you wish people understood about your day-to-day life with cancer?

What's the most helpful practical thing someone has done for you?

Was there something you needed but didn't know how to ask for?

How do you feel about "fighting" language — "you're so strong," "keep fighting"?

What's one thing you'd tell someone whose friend or family member was just diagnosed?

I'm open to criticism if you think this is a stupid idea, too. As a cancer patient, I just wish there was something I could put into someone else's hands and say "this is what I need/this is what I'm feeling" instead of exhausting conversations

In Your Wildest Dreams (Moody Blues) came on the radio and I managed to dance the entire song. I have stage 4 NSCLC and had 2 pulmonary emboli in July. I have a pleurx drain in place for months. But I danced today!!

Has anyone had success dating with cancer? Im 18F and have been wanting a boyfriend but am scared about mentioning that I have cancer and have lost my hair. Im in remission and have a wig but Im afraid to bring it up and I’m scared they wont view me as attractive if I’m bald. Are there people who have experience dating with cancer and has it worked out? Teenage boys can be really mean… any other 18-19 yr old boys with cancer who are looking for a relationship? I think it would be better because we can understand what one another is going through and be there to support each other!

We have only done CT scan as of now and PSA and biopsy are needed..... He also has a blockage in a bile duct of liver leading to jaundice. We just found out about the prostate cancer. His scan shows enlargement of prostate along with multiple lymph nodes being enlarged. Doctor said there is a chance of it being matastasizing. IMPORTANT: he has no symptoms of cancer. His urine and stools are normal. No pain. Just weakness due to jaundice Has anyone else gone through a similar experience?

Were you diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 20–35?

I am conducting a research study exploring the healthcare experiences of Canadian young adults with cancer and how family doctors can better support patients throughout their cancer journey.

Young adulthood is a unique stage of life, and being diagnosed with cancer during this time can bring challenges that may differ from those experienced by children or older adults. Cancer can occur alongside important milestones such as education, starting a career, relationships, family planning, and developing independence. This study aims to better understand these experiences and identify ways healthcare providers can provide more meaningful support.

What would participation involve?

Participants will complete a one-time, 30–60 minute interview over Zoom about their experiences with the healthcare system, including what was helpful, what could have been better, and what support they wish they had received.

Your experiences and perspectives are valuable and may help inform how family doctors can better support young adults with cancer.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact the principal investigator, Jessica, at AYACancerResearch@gmail.com.  

This study has received ethical approval from the Queen’s University Health Sciences and Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research Ethics Board (HSREB).

Hey! So I got diagnosed 6 months ago, lots have happened, but in the trauma of this, a few of relationships have gone sour.. family has been complex prior to the diagnosis and is now worse..

i think there is something to be said about these situations showing you who your true networks are.

🙌🕊️

After 10 rounds of chemotherapy I’ve found out it had been growing in my lungs the whole time. Both my lungs are engulfed with tumors. I thought the amputation of my leg would get rid of it but it had already spread. I have no words and I don’t know what to do. The doctors said I have 3 to 6 months left. I’d love to keep fighting but I just don’t have it in me.

They offered me two chemo pills, one would keep me in the hospital nearly all the time. Which I don’t wanna be in, I wanna be with my kitty cats.

And the second had less side effects but I’m worried about adverse ones coming up.

And they ultimately told me that they could do nothing to slow down the tumor growth. I guess I just write this for some support, I’m gonna miss so many things. I’m gonna live my life to the fullest but it’s so hard knowing the things I’ll leave behind.

Hey All!

I (27m) had surgery on Sept 22nd to remove what we thought was Renal Cell Carcinoma. The pathology came back, and I was diagnosed with a Solitary Fibrous Tumor. Somehow one of the local lymph nodes was also involved, but removed as well.

I was looking optimistic, but now I am getting nervous about recurrence and what the rest of my life may look like. Anyone have experience with this kind of cancer or something similar? I am hoping for a positive prognosis and support is welcome. Thank you all!

I’m scared. Im shocked. Can’t sleep.

I’m really struggling to stay hydrated recently. The lady struggled with poking me the other day. I’ve been having a lot of staying on top of fluid intake and eating properly and consistently. I’ve always struggled with executive dysfunction and consistency, but it was better when I felt healthier. Does anyone have any tips for this? Especially for drinking more water? Thanks.

[supprimé]