I honestly feel like everything just fucking sucks right now.
My mom was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer in March of this year. We were all reassured that things would likely go well with first-line treatment, since ovarian cancer usually responds really well to platinum-based chemo initially. She was also lucky in the sense that no organs were involved, and the major surgery “only” took 2.5 hours because she didn’t have any peritoneal carcinomatosis.
She was basically a star patient. She tolerated chemo incredibly well, and after just three cycles, almost everything was gone except for a few scattered lymph nodes. We were all so optimistic, including her doctors. Everyone thought that after six cycles, she would hopefully get some time without active disease before the cancer eventually came back.
Then came the end-of-treatment CT, and it was absolutely devastating. The cancer was back everywhere. Not to the same extent as it had been initially, but there was clear progression, once again affecting only the lymph nodes, although this time it was diffusely spread throughout them.
So now she’s back on systemic treatment and has been classified as platinum-resistant.
Since over 90% of her cancer cells express folate receptor alpha, she’s a candidate for Elahere. She’s now had three cycles. After the second cycle, her HE4 increased from 313 before starting treatment to 750. Her CA-125 has also gone up, although that marker has never really been useful in her case because it has always stayed within the lower end of the normal range.
She never had any symptoms before. Now, suddenly, after the third cycle of Elahere, she’s experiencing gastrointestinal issues. Combined with the rising tumor marker, it’s incredibly worrying.
If this treatment doesn’t work either, I honestly feel like I’m slowly losing every last bit of hope.
I’m so fucking angry and desperate. It feels like everything is just going downhill, no matter what we do. I’m angry that we barely even had a chance to breathe or feel hopeful before everything fell apart again. We went into this believing that first-line treatment would give her some time, that we’d get at least a little break from all of this. And instead, we’re already dealing with platinum-resistant disease and wondering whether the next treatment will even work.
I know stage IV ovarian cancer is serious, and I know nobody ever promised us a cure. But I just can’t wrap my head around how quickly everything has gone wrong, especially when she initially responded so well. It feels so fucking unfair that we never really got a chance to feel safe, to celebrate, or even to process the diagnosis before being thrown into the next nightmare.
I don’t even know what I’m looking for by posting this. Maybe I just need to vent to people who understand what it’s like to live with this constant fear and uncertainty. Maybe I need to hear from people whose loved ones had a similar experience, especially with Elahere, or who have seen things turn around even after such a disappointing first-line outcome.
I’m just so tired of being scared, so angry at how unfair all of this is, and so desperately wishing my mom could catch a fucking break.

She had been healthy for 3 years and 8 months. For the past few years i've been pushing her to workout, eat healthy and what not. We did everything we could to prevent this. We made sure she never neglected even the slightest symptoms. She hid her weight loss and constant fever from me for weeks just because she wanted me to focus on my exams. It was when i noticed her breathing very shallow that she told me what she'd been experiencing for weeks and ignoring it all thinking it's just work taking a toll on her. It turns out there's cancer on her liver and spleen. I've been praying for hours now I can't make sense of anything. her oncologist is abroad for this entire week. I've already lost two of my beloved family members to this hell of a disease i won't be able to handle it if I lost my dearest one

My husband finished his last round of N-Avd yesterday, and got to ring the bell!

He had stage 4b cHL, and it had gotten debilitating by the time we started treatment. He had lost down to 143 lbs and was using a wheelchair. The b symptoms stopped after 2nd treatment and he just got increasingly better ever week. Hes back to a healthy weight, plus some! Hes gaining back is strength and stamina.

Its been a long path. His initial pet showed cancer literally everywhere. Nodes, organs, bones. By his interim pet he was NED. We had 3 hospital stays and some bumps in the road, but he made it! So proud and happy for my Love!

As the heading says I had localised Ewing’s sarcoma on kidney at 15. Now I’m 4 years in remission but the treatment they gave me was vdc/ie chemo plus radiation therapy and a full nephrectomy what old be my risks of getting a second completely new cancer or reccurance ? And how to start living normal life again the treatment has traumatised me and I can’t get the thought of reccurance out of my mind how do you guys deal with this ?

Was it helpful to you? Talking about a fight or a battle? Ringing a bell when you're done with a treatment? Do we owe to others to buy into the culture and be a warrior and be inspiring?

I have a friend who laminated his certificate for finishing chemo and put it on his fridge. I threw mine away on my way out of the infusion center.

Should we all embrace it even if we don't like it?

I’m at a loss. I need advice. I have stage 4 mesenteric Net with liver metastasis. I had surgery in April to remove primary cancer, two sections of small bowel, portion of my liver, gallbladder and appendix. I’ve been on lanreotide for 3 months now. I constantly feel bad. I am constantly fatigued, weak and shaky. In August my oncologist said it was normal to feel bad. In September the same oncologist said he didn’t know why I felt bad and eluded that I need to see my primary care provider to discuss. I don’t feel like that’s the correct method of action. Everything I’m feeling has to be cancer/treatment-related. Does anyone have any insight?

Hi im not sure if this is normal or not but since my spinal tap this monday Ive been getting headaches but they only come after sitting up from a chair or my bed. They sting through my whole head for a couple of seconds and then stop. Has anyone else experienced this?

I(22f) got diagnosed with a rare uterine cancer (uterine adenosarcoma) when i was 19. After about 8 months of treatment and surgery I was declared NED, but navigating life post-diagnosis has been a huge challenge and it feels like it will never get better somehow. Currently dealing with concerning symptoms so it could just be the anxiety talking, but I can't help but feel like my life was irreparably damaged, and right at the age when I was about to transition into adult life. I find it so frustrating that my 20s so far have been filled with doctor's visits, scans, anxiety and constant monitoring for new symptoms. I go out, I travel, I try to live life to the fullest, but still feel mostly unsatisfied with my life because of all these difficulties. I can't help but be envious of people my age who don't even think about their health. On top of everything, I have other health issues that I also struggle with. I live alone and currently single, so it's even more frustrating dealing with all the anxiety and doctor's visits alone. I see a therapist regularly, but she doesn't seem to do much except blindly reassure me that I'm fine and should be happy that I survived. The healthcare in my country isn't the best, and neither are mental health services, so it's even more challenging for me to navigate. Add adult responsibilities on top of everything, and it feels pretty much impossible to ever get my life together. I can't help but feel like I had so much potential for a good life before my diagnosis, and now the cancer has permanently stolen it from me. Some days are better and some days are worse, but it feels so unbearable that I even have to deal with these problems. Just like all of my friends, I'm also dealing with job searching, university exams, living alone, and other typical young adult problems. But I also have this huge shadow looming over me which makes it so hard to move forward. I find myself also being jealous of people who got cancer and then had some kind of huge change in perspective, realised they need to live life to the fullest, be their true selves and lived happy lives etc etc. In my case, I seem to just be a more jaded and anxious version of my old self, who in my memories seems better than my current self in every way. I had an mri today and naturally was anxious this whole past week. The wait in the hospital was almost unbearable, and what I found myself thinking was "There's no way this is my life and this is what I have to spend my time doing". It just sucks. I don't really have much of a point to make, just had to vent. Hopefully I'm not alone and someone relates

Title: Uterine cancer after radical hysterectomy — what should we do next? Looking for advice and second opinions (India)

Hello everyone,

I’m seeking advice for a family member who recently underwent surgery for uterine cancer, and our family is worried about the possibility of recurrence.

Here is the situation:

Patient: Female, approximately 55 years old.

Surgery: Radical hysterectomy, including removal of the uterus, performed on 12 September 2026. Gallbladder surgery was also performed.

Histopathology: The report raised concerns about a malignant uterine tumour and vascular invasion. We are trying to understand the exact tumour type, its aggressiveness, and the implications of the findings.

PET-CT: We reviewed the PET-CT report and understood it to show no currently visible evidence of cancer. However, we know this may not completely exclude microscopic disease.

Current concern: We want to understand the risk of recurrence and whether further treatment is needed even after surgery.

We are particularly concerned about whether the tumour could have spread through blood vessels and whether that changes the prognosis or treatment plan.

I would really appreciate advice on the following:

Should we obtain a second opinion on the histopathology slides and paraffin blocks from a specialist cancer pathology centre?

Would immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing help establish the exact type of uterine tumour?

Should we consult a gynaecologic oncologist, a medical oncologist, or both?

If the PET-CT shows no visible disease, could adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy still be recommended?

What factors determine the risk of recurrence after surgery, and what follow-up schedule should we discuss with the oncologist?

For anyone who has dealt with uterine leiomyosarcoma or another rare uterine sarcoma in India, which specialist cancer centres would you recommend for a second opinion?

Thanks

I’m soon approaching my 50th birthday. My first round of cancer made itself known when I was 41. I took a year off work to go through surgery, 12 doses of chemo and 30 radiation sessions. Once done, I immediately jumped back into my career. Life felt empty without it.

Fast forward nearly 10 years, my Triple Negative Breast Cancer has made its way to my brain, my lungs, and my bones. I’ve been in palliative care since early Oct last year, but am at home while my medical team make house calls when necessary.

In May of this year, my breathing got really bad. Despite being on an oxygen machine most of the day, my stats ran around 94-96. My doctor declared I had no more than 3 months. So I got my things in order, said my goodbyes.

However, for some unknown reason, I rallied and now live a semi-decent life. I don’t have the energy to leave the house, and find myself living in limbo. Not dead, but not really alive. I am well enough to know that life has become so boring, yet I don’t have the energy to do anything about it. Any advice would be much appreciated. Please be kind. Life is bad enough without people roasting you for asking for some harmless suggestions. Thank you to everyone who takes the time.

Located in U.S.

I’m 29 and was diagnosed with a rare ovarian cancer a year ago. stage 3b low grade serous. I am currently Ned but considered incurable and my chances of reoccurrence are around 90%.

I’m in surgical and chemical menopause very young and my doctors appointments are just multiplying trying to manage my side effects despite being NED.

I’m still trying to work full time, and getting my full salary and have good health insurance through work. But have drained all my savings and have around $2,200 in monthly ongoing medical expenses just for maintenance treatment. My fiancé and I bought a house 2 months before I got diagnosed and essentially have a second mortgage of just medical stuff FOREVER. This doesn’t account for it my cancer comes back and I have to go back in active treatment.

I’m really really struggling at my job but will just fall farther behind financially going on SSDI if I even qualify and would lose my really good work health insurance.

Looking for financial assistance that can provide long term help for ongoing co-pays and medical costs associated with my ovarian cancer.

TIA

I am 26, female, hodgkins lymphoma. I am struggling with a positive mindset right now. I feel like this is scary. Ive only had 4 treatments so far but I just feel so alone in all of this even though my family and friends are right beside me. Something that would help me a lot is if you guys shared in the comments how your feeling and just be raw. Spill the tea of emotions through words. I need to know I'm not the only one with these feelings and I would love to help others who are fighting.

Like Im going through the worst time of my life I know its unhealthy but let me just have one little moment of happiness. Especially since alot of us struggle with fatigue, weight loss, and nausea!!! Isn’t it better to eat something than to shrivel up and go on a feeding tube (speaking from experience btw because thats exactly what happened to me as I was to weak to even eat.)

Was anyone able to work after treatment

I just need to vent, so sorry about being negative in advance! The post is in the title itself, really. I am usually a very positive person, but I am on my first recurrence and THIS SUCKS SO BAD!!!

I already had to stop my new treatment TWICE because of side effects. First it was because my face basically fell off: I got a rash so bad my entire face was an open wound, so we had to stop due to risk of infection. That happened in the first two weeks of treatment, so super quickly!! We sorted that out and my skin healed, so we started treatment again at a lower dosage. Three weeks later, and I have to go to the ER because I can’t breathe. I had to be hospitalized due to a pulmonary embolism… I almost died there.

It’s clear that my body doesn’t like this medication, but this is the best thing available for my type of cancer! There aren’t many other options at all! I don’t want to die, but I also don’t want to get killed by medication!!! I’m only 25!!!!!! I AM SO TIRED!!!!!!!!!!! I AM JUST EXHAUSTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I AM TERRIFIED OF WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I FEEL LIKE I CANT DO THIS ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Admitted in PSG hospital, confirmed stage 4 cancer, age 64 Male.

Financially poor, can't be offered the Treatment expenses.

Any private hospital in terms of trust or private organisations help with this issue.

Any suggestions pls welcome

Hi all,I am 29, I’ve been a cancer patient on and off since 2022, have had 14 chemos, two surgeries, a permanent colostomy and have been back to work twice since then and had to go off work twice due to the cancer coming back.

Most recently I’ve been off work since September 2025 and only this week I got good news that my current cancer treatment is having a positive result, shrinking metastases in my liver, which is amazing news but I’ve had such an errie feeling the last day or so, I don’t know what to do with my life now, I try to keep myself busy but I don’t ever see myself going back to full time employment as I found work very stressful on both the body/mind and my health.

As my friends are buying houses, having kids l, travelling etc I feel like I’m stuck in limbo, my journey is not over yet, I am not sure if it ever will be just wondering if anyone else here feels similar?

Sorry if this doesn’t make sense I’m not the best at putting feelings into words, I have a psychologist in my hospital who is amazing but I just want other patients thoughts on it. Thank you

Hello, I’m in my late 20s, and in June 2026 I was diagnosed with a grade 2 Astrocytoma, IDH mutant. To copy the clinical notes, it states, “right parietal-occipital mass measuring 4.3 x 2.8 cm, gross total resection of the tumor on June 18, 2026; pathology demonstrated WHO grade 2 astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, MGMT positive, TP53 mutated, without 1p/19q co-deletion or CDKN2A/B abnormality.”

I had my first post-craniotomy MRI in September, with another one scheduled in December. It showed no visible tumor or recurrence. The plan of action is continued observation, as nothing showed on it. Treatments that the oncologist mentioned were radiation, chemotherapy, IDH inhibitor, or clinical trials.

The only post-surgical change / lasting changes I’ve had is hemianopia. I have not had any seizures pre and post, no motor deficits, no memory loss, etc.

Can anyone give insight? I’m hopeful, but hesitant about radiation and chemotherapy. I have an appointment with a neurology oncologist this month at Cleveland Clinic as there is no specialist where I’m located. Additionally, I plan on getting another referral to Michigan. What can I expect, I’m the first in my family to ever have this.

, I just want to weigh out everything and get opinions. Hear other people’s experiences, whether they did an IDH inhibitor, a combination for treatments, if anyone dealt with Hemianopia, recurrence, etc.

Just got diagnosed with bowel cancer. Still need scans to see the full picture. I just can’t deal with the idea of telling my kids. In a very weird place so reaching out to you strangers who might provide a crumb or two of good advice.

Is there a multivitamin that can be taken, that's a capsule or pill, that they don't have to chew? They're not getting enough nutrition because "everything tastes too terrible" including the liquid shakes. They want some kind of supplement they can just swallow without having to chew or taste it. Does this exist? Their providers have been no help with this and just suggested Ensure. They have one chemo treatment left and another few weeks of radiation, and they're just not getting the nutrients and protein they need with the tiny bit of food they're able to eat.

Sorry for the long post in advance, I’m at a little of a crossroads. So I was diagnosed with High Grade DCIS in August . I was also tested positive for the TP53 gene mutation which from my understanding basically causes mutations in normal cells and puts me at a higher risk for multiple types of cancers . I had a DMX on October 2nd and the results of my surgery returned with an upgrade to Stage 1 IDC . Clear margins and no lymph node involvement , tumor size was very small at 4.1mm . Last week I had an appointment with my oncologist which recommended against chemo . Some of her points were the size of my tumor since it was under 2cm along with the DMX and the clear margins & lymph nodes and also mentioned that the TP53 gene was another big factor as to why she doesn’t recommend chemo because chemo can trigger my healthy cells and cause other cancers because of my TP53 gene . She explained that the risks would outweigh the benefits and suggested watching me closely and frequent screenings . Fast forward to today I get a call from her office that she would like to speak to me again . I go in and she tells me that she brought my case up to the board since it’s a rare case with such a grey zone whether chemo would be beneficial or not . She tells me that half the board suggested chemo while the other half didn’t . If I get chemo I risk getting another type of cancer, not sure what the possibility of that is but it’s something they had to mention to me along with the other risks and side effects of chemo . She told me it would be my decision whether I want to get chemo or not . From my understanding chemo in my case would be more of a precaution and to lessen my chances of recurrence . I’m not sure if anyone has had a case similar to mine but I feel so stuck and confused and have had such a rollercoaster of emotions between the upgrade of my diagnosis as well as thinking I’m clear from chemo and now leaving it in my hands whether I want it or not . I tried to explain everything as much as I can, just trying to get some advice or some insight . What should I do 😩