I have synovial sarcoma and in the middle of my treatment. Are there any support groups like AA but for cancer? I tried a therapist and that didn’t help. I just want to talk to other people with cancer as I think that will help me just hear other people going through what I am going through.

Hey, I'm pretty new to Reddit. Today I met a woman who has to sell nudes because her mother has cancer.I want to support her so that she doesn't have to do this anymore because she has to pay for the operation herself since her relatives don't support her.You need 800 dollars.Can someone help me I want her mother to survive this

Please check in if you feel comfortable sharing! Also, if you have a cancer diagnosis, please feel free to join us at r/cancerpatients.

I’m a 24 year old single mom with 2 kids. I just got diagnosed with kidney cancer that has possibly spread to my lymph nodes. I’m currently assistant manager at a gas station that provides basically no benefits. I can’t really afford to not get paid for weeks or even months while I recover and I have no idea what to do 😫 Wanted to add that I live in West Virginia!

Please check in if you feel comfortable sharing! Also, if you have a cancer diagnosis, please feel free to join us at r/cancerpatients.

I just need to yell into the void for a bit and if the void yells back that might be nice, after the year I've had.

I have cancer, obviously. It's not one of the ones that is life threatening. I don't get chemo therapy, it would make my benign tumors become malignant. I'm not going to be one of the people who can ring a bell some day and say they are cancer free and have a party and have at least some kind of reassurance that it's really gone. Benign is such a useless word. It makes you think it's just a lump or bump, nothing to worry about. Benign doesn't make you think about all the damage it does where it grows, or how much it hurts or describe how much I want to just tell the doctors to take my leg off already.

I get tumors in my leg, just below my knee. The first one hollowed out my tibia. I was walking around on egg shell thin bone. It was the most painful experience of my entire life. I didn't really tell anyone how bad the pain was, I told them it hurt, but I didnt feel like I could explain it properly and they couldn't help so I didn't want them to feel bad. I went to four doctors who all said they couldnt find anything, even with a giant bump on the side of my knee to prove I wasnt lying. They still thought I was after narcotics. Finally someone suggested orthopedics and I was recommended a specialist cancer hospital near where I live. My doctor was so sure of himself when he explained everything. Like this was everyday, nothing new to him and I would be on with my life in a few months. They scooped out the cancer and packed the hollow and said it wouldn't come back, the chances of my kind of cancer recurring were slim to none, 15% chance.

Six months later I was back in the hospital to get a total knee replacement to attach to an internal tibia replacement. I had been able to go back to work for exactly one week before I realised what the pain in my knee meant. I had two tumors this time. One in the same spot as before and another on the opposite side, shaped like a carrot. Whats up doc? They said the cancer had gotten to the point that my bone crumbled when they tried to remove it. I had been walking on fractured bone, so they had to take more than they even realised would need to come out to get to a stable portion. I knew it hurt, I just didn't know that was why, and I didn't want to complain to anyone, they all just looked sad and couldn't help. The doctor said the tumors wouldn't come back, there wasn't bone for it to form in anymore.

Four months later, literally a week ago today, I was back under the knife to remove another tumor, it was just floating in the same spot that the first two were in. Like it was laughing at me. "There's no bone, but I'm here anyways because f you. Hahaha." This time, before the surgery, my doctor explained that it would be a much easier surgery. My first two were really rough, after my first two surgeries, I had to be in a leg immobilizer. The first surgery I couldn't put weight on my leg for months. My second surgery I could walk on it so that made it so much easier in so many ways. No crutches, just pain, but I can handle pain now. This surgery was supposed to be so easy, fast recovery, 5 days of rest and then right back to physical therapy and on my way to normal again.

But when I woke up from surgery, the news wasn't great. The tumor had grown into and fused with my tendon. They couldnt see that on the scans because of all the metal in my leg. My doctor had to decide whether to cut through the tumor and risk leaving some of it behind or leave it fully intact and take out a section of my tendon. He chose to take out part of the tendon. It's the decision I would have told him to go with if I was awake, so I'm glad he did it. But it means so much more recovery time and problems that can occur. My doctor didn't say anything about if my tumor will come back. I think he and I both know it will even if we both hope it won't. He still says amputation won't be necessary, but how many times does he want to cut into my leg before he agrees it's enough.

Since September 15th 2023 I've been stuck in my room, on my bed, alone. The same white walls. The same house plants. The same ceiling fan. The same short ten steps to the bathroom. The same mess that I don't have the energy or the patience to clean even though I definitely have the time for it.

And no one to talk to. I live with my dad, but he's gone at work all day or going on dates with his ex wife. Said ex wife is my mother who hurt me more than i can just forgive without at least an attempt at an apology and apparently my cancer isnt enough to push her past her pride. She claims she loves me, claims that she only ever wanted a daughter and that i was her dream come true. But she not here to hug me or help me when I cant stand up. Shes not here because she has "nothing to apologize for" and "did the best" she could with what she had to work with. I could just drop it, she is willing to move beyond all this, but i cant until i hear her acknowledge my pain as if it matters to her, like im not just some object she owned and cohld do whatever she pleased with and me being mad about it is an insult to her good name. I am not on speaking terms with most of my family, they are all religious nuts who tell me that there's a reason for all suffering and it's just a part of God's plan and I just have to have faith in his love and he must have a plan for me. As if it's normal to put good people through absolute hell. Do we torture good law abiding loving people just so they can prove they are really good and won't turn to crime if they aren't happy all the time? No? Then why would a loving god do the same to what most religions claim are his beloved children?

The one brother and his wife that I do speak to regularly live thousands of miles away. I have one friend, just the one because i have apparently shit luck when it comes to choosing friends or keeping them. Shes amazing though, and saving my life even though she doesn't know it, I know she would be devastated if I did anything. I need to live for myself I know that and I'm working on it, but right now there's not a reason to and its going to be a long time before I find one, so for now she has to be it. I'll never tell her how bad it is, I don't want that weight on her because if she leaves too I don't want her to be scared of hearing bad news. If that happens I'll just find another reason. I always do. There's always reasons to stay.

I spend 95% of my life alone, just watching YouTube or reading or talking to my imaginary people projected on the wall just to feel like someone cares or wants to listen to me.

I just want someone who cares when I cry. I want someone who will hold me when I see the mri results "recurrence likely" again and i break down and sob and ask why even though theres never going to be an answer to that question. I want to feel like I matter to someone more than as a friend or daughter or sister. I'm just so tired of being so alone.

Fuck cancer.

After getting serious about our relationship, my boyfriend insisted I get a physical and screenings for men my age. Prior to this I had not seen a doctor since my late 20s when I had a bone lesion removed- it was benign. They sent me home with a leg brace. 5 days after leaving the hospital while getting in a car, I had a spontaneous, compound fracture through the biopsy site. I had several very, painful complex surgeries over the next 5 years. As a result I have debilitating medical/surgery/procedure PTSD. To the point where after the hardware was removed, I neglected to see a doctor for regular checkups, until this past January. My fear was that they'd find something then find something else and so on.

After avoiding and side stepping the topic for a year, I relented in January and agreed to get a physical and necessary screenings as long as my partner came with me and helped explain my ptsd and anxiety to the care givers.

My new doc ordered a cologuard test...simple at home colon cancer screening to avoid a more invasive colonoscopy. The cologuard test came back positive. The doc tried to tell me it was more than likely simple blood in my stool, or a polyp or false positive. But a colonoscopy was necessary to rule cancer out. The colonoscopy discovered a large 25mm x 31mm cancerous polyp. They removed it and some tissue around it and tattooed the area in a second endoscopic surgery. The tissue and margins came back clear for spread. A colonoscopy was ordered at 6 months then 1 year to check. A PET scan from skull to mid thigh after that surgery incidently found a 1.1cm x 1.8cm node on my right lung lower lobe. I had a bronchoscope biopsy of the node and it came back as a carcinoid tumor- stage 1. TOTALLY unrelated to the colon cancer and not caused by smoking or environmental factors. Last Friday I had robotic thorasic surgery to remove the lower right lung lobe and 14 lymph nodes. I'm waiting for pathology, but was told that this is a very rare, very slow growing and isolated tumor, and my prognosis is excellent. The lobectomy will be considered curative as long as all lymph nodes and margins come back clear. Still, I am filled with fear and anxiety that I'll be playing whack a mole with cancer going forward, but I am also feeling grateful, and credit my boyfriend for saving my life. Both the colo rectal and thorasic surgeons said we'd be having very different conversations had I waited another year. I am an emotional wreck, and could break down into a sobbing mess at the drop of a hat, and have been trying to hold it all together since January- pretending to be fine when im anything but fine, but (fingers crossed) I am on the tail end of kicking cancers ass! So F you Cancer! F you!

Please check in if you feel comfortable sharing! Also, if you have a cancer diagnosis, please feel free to join us at r/cancerpatients.

My wife (72) went to the dermatologist two weeks ago and they took two small samples on her forehead and scalp, then sent them to be biopsied. The final results came back this past Friday afternoon. She has Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma.

To say we’re scared is an understatement. We’ve been referred to the best Oncologist in our area, so that’s good. Just waiting to hear about an appointment.

Thought I’d join this group in hopes of learning more about this type of cancer, how others have coped, and just getting support. Hate to admit, but we don’t have any friends in our area, so we have no local support.

Thanks.

The time between getting scans done and getting the results from one's oncologist feels exponentially. Longer every time.

Please check in if you feel comfortable sharing! Also, if you have a cancer diagnosis, please feel free to join us at r/cancerpatients.

Hi All!

About 7 months ago, a friend and I created a group specifically for cancer patients. We are a small, friendly, drama-free group who support one another through sharing thoughts, offering advice or just extending virtual hugs and well-wishes. Whether you are a current cancer patient or have had cancer in the past, we would love to have you join us!

You can find us at r/cancerpatients

(If you are awaiting a diagnosis, you are welcome to join but please limit your posts to the “Pre-diagnosis Lounge")

Hi all, apologies if this is the wrong forum and if this post upsets anyone.

I’m struggling to come to terms with my FIL’s diagnosis, the two of us are closer than usual in-laws and the relationship I have with him is stronger and more consistent than that with my own father.

Earlier this year he was diagnosed with a rare strain of leukaemia and in the coming days will be undergoing a stem cell transplant, of which there is a 70% mortality risk due to the type of leukaemia he has. My wife is obviously distraught and incredibly stressed, meaning I am having to be the support system (for both her and her mother), but I myself am also struggling with the odds of success and having to maintain the strong exterior.

I don’t know what the point of this post is, but if there is anyone who can offer any words of advice I’d be massively appreciative.

My 15 year old daughter has a very hard life. When she was born she had kidney issues which she was in and out of the hospital constantly for. It’s called hydronoprosis. 14 surgeries later she’s still battling it. Well when our daughter was just 8 years old she got a brain bleed and was diagnosed with brain cancer pilomyoxid astrocytoma she also lost complete vision in her left eye because the nerurosugen severed the optic nerve , she did chemotherapy for a year and half then went 3 years everything good being monitored every 3 months. Well January 2020, they noticed her tumor growing again so she once again did chemotherapy for a year and they stopped, her tumor wasn’t shrinking but wasn’t growing. Yet in 2022 she had a second brain bleed which doctors claim is almost impossible! She was flown to a hospital in memphis close to st Jude and they did surgery again removing 70% of the tumor and she began radiation therapy at St Jude’s. Well, she began to develop severe edema from the radiation which was a possible side effect. She could barely get around and doctors tried everything almost but nothing worked. Then comes the nightmare again July 2023 she developed influenza B after a visit to st Jude and was admitted into the hospital and put on a ventilator, then she had pneumonia on-top of that. So a month and one week she was on a ventilator while her body was shutting down but by some miracle and CCRT her body began to fight back and she was doing good. However there was many changes! She had ards, diabetes, neuropathy, hypothyroidism, damage to her lower lungs and right upper lung, liver damage, damage to both her kidneys now, plus pancreatitis frequently. She’s on oxygen constantly, takes almost 40 pills a day. Well during this sickness while she was in the hospital still, September of 2023 she was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. So we began blood thinners, because of these blood thinners and the previous two brain bleeds SHE HAD A THIRD BRAIN BLEED! She was once again sent to memphis but the neurosurgeon said there was nothing he could do because of her condition and that St Jude was her only option. So they sent her there and stated she didn’t qualify for chemotherapy and couldn’t do radiation again, mind you she was still learning how to walk again, feed herself, move her arms. So we only could pray and have hope. Well by some miracle yet again she over came this brain bleed it just stopped. So they transferred her to a rehab facility where she never really rehabbed because she kept getting pancreatitis. So fast forward to January 2024, we say enough is enough and bring her home to rehab at home with nurses and PALATIVE hospice. She began to get up and move around with a Walker, constantly on oxygen, all these meds now but finally stopped the blood thinners. Well now she’s getting constant respiratory infections and now having trouble swallowing so we have to thicken her fluids and crush her meds. We are to the point we don’t see any further light at the end of the tunnel, even doctors are saying she’s declining. So we are looking at end of life hospice soon. This whole thing is shocking! We always thought our warrior who fought for 15 years would make it or would pass away from cancer, but no, because of the stupid influenza B and pneumonia, this is what will kill our child. Will take our baby girl from us. Now mind you we have two other children younger than her, one is ten and understands and the other is seven with adhd and doesn’t truly understand. My question is simple……. What do I do? How do I do think? How do we process this? Do we keep fighting and pray for a miracle and face her being in pain and suffering for things that ultimately will prolong what will happen? Or do we go ahead and just let her spend the rest of the time at home and be comfortable with her family? we have always been honest with her about her health and she wants to keep fighting but she doesn’t understand that it will truly do no good. Any advice is more than welcomed at this point.

Hi there. Was diagnosed in February and had surgery April 16th. Spent 35 days in the hospital and 30 in a transition care. They took half my liver, gallbladder, part of my stomach, 20% of my lower intestines, part of my Colon, and lymph nodes. I had complications my family got the "it's up to him now" after 12 hours of surgery. Also woke up on Dialysis. Lucky me. It seems like my close friends kind of abandoned me after the 1st month, I dont blame them they have their lives to live. Seeing me bedridden, in a wheel chair, and still using a walker can't be fun. What kind of life do I have left? I mean now I'm on Dialysis 3 times a week, if I have to start Chemo how do I do both? I'm not suicidal but at 50 yrs old, what's left? I lived an amazing life until now. But now it's all pain and depression. I had severe delirium and hallucinations in the hospital for a few of those weeks and I was praying fir God to take me. I've googled support groups near me and came up empty. I've been single for awhile and love being alone, but this is a different type of alone. How do I bring others in my life? With nothing but sickness and pain ahead? I don't know. I just don't think I'll ever be okay again. So seriously, can somebody tell me what I'm supposed to fight for?

For a few months I've been having rib issues. Otherwise felt great. An XRay led to a CT scan which led to a CT scan with contrast. Seems I have spots on my kidneys, liver and one adrenal gland. Doctor thinks cancer and I am scared. My kidney and liver function were perfect in original blood workup. Just hoping I have a chance at winning this battle though I know with areas on different organs I doubt the prognosis will be good. Please say a prayer for me to have the strength for this.

I need some help. My boss is diagnosed with BPD, but also an absolute overt narcissist. Very girlboss, degree in psychology pseudo-intellectual, image obsessed Regina George type. Please understand I say this with utmost certainty as I have worked closely with her for many years. She is a notoriously difficult person, priding herself on people fearing her and her RBF. So throughout the years our working relationship has been tumultuous but I am a people-pleaser and perfectionist when it comes to my work life. Personally I am also very empathetic and can secone guess myself sometimes. But I find throughout the years I have become very self critical and realised through very subtle tactics it might be because of her and her narratives and manipulation tactics? Some of her tactics include a period of being overly nice and acting like a friend, then suddenly plucking the rug from underneath you and being very cold and... kind of a bully tbh. It also confuses me because she'll do some nice things and be understanding if I'm having a bad mental health day due to grief etc then it sets the impression that she is very compassionate and accommodating, but as soon as trouble arises everyone is like "yeah but she's so kind she did this and that" and I'm like ok why does everyone know about that? Are you guys documenting all the nice things you do for me? Anyway, main point. I've recently been diagnosed with cancer and she was like "hey bestie" in the beginning but shortly after turned sour, offering I work from home then becoming resentful because I'm working from home and wanting to cut my salary and demote me? Look, on paper everything looks good, she's so meticulous that it's scary, but there are these subtle ways that she gets under my skin and sometimes even not so subtle. My fiance says I need to get out of her grip. I think I'm still figuring out how badly conditioned I've been. When she scolds me about deadlines and god forbid I make a mistake, I instantly feel like complete shit because of how she talks to me and I become a nervous wreck. There is so much detail and I can't go on and on but basically, I feel trapped and distressed and her and her army of yes men make me feel like I'm wrong whenever I have a grievance about how she's treating me. And yes, I did just say she shits on me when I struggle with deadlines as a lung cancer patient. I meeeeean, guys? I can't take this stress anymore while I'm trying to fight for my life, I'm miserable.

TLDR: my BPD narcissistic girlboss employer, I suspect, has been conditioning me for years using multiple tactics like going hot and cold etc. How do I escape her grip on me after so many years of manipulation? I'm a cancer patient now and the stress of all the psychological warfare is weighing me down.

My father left us last week. We and specially I am completely broken,shattered,crushed. My father was tall strong handsome, never sick in his entire life (literally) and we were proud of that always. Everyone is proud of him that being a cancer patient he went with his body intact, in good health before it would've started deteriorating, and was doing every work on his own.

Then on December the cancer was detected and last week the story even ended before we could even properly fight.

Everyone tells me different theories about what happens to souls after a person has gone. I believe it also differs with religions I am not sure.

I just want to know my father in happy, in peace, in a beautiful place somewhere and he's not sad or in pain. This thought alone might help me to move forward.

Does their soul remain with us forever or they leave us immediately. The concept of heaven and hell. Do they meet their family and friends who passed away before them in heaven. Do they take a rebirth immediately.

I know what exactly happens no one knows but still.

It has been a bit over a month since I lost my beloved wife. She had been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma Cancer just 19 months before, and after receiving a bone marrow transplant, she passed away. We spent the last two and a half months of her life at West Virginia University Hospital cancer center. My wife, Tammy Porter, had been my partner for 34 years. Now at 54 years old, I feel that my life has come to an end, and I am merely going through the motions. Each day is a struggle, and I cannot shake the feeling that I stopped living when she passed away. However, the thought of our two wonderful children and one amazing granddaughter keeps me moving forward.

We also lost our son a few years ago to heart disease. Christopher, our son, passed away peacefully, and my wife carried that pain with her until the day she went to heaven. What makes it even worse is that three weeks before my wife passed away, we received a phone call that her Dad passed away unexpectedly. The doctors also told us that my wife Tammy could not attend the funeral due to receiving a bone marrow transplant and that she would have to stay in quarantine for the next 50 days. That killed my wife more than anything; she was stuck in the hospital and could not be there with her dad. I genuinely think she grieved herself to death over losing her dad, and they were so close. 

If only I could spend more time with my beloved wife or at least have the chance to update her on my daily life. I find myself alone in our living room day after day, yearning for some sort of signal from Tammy that she's watching over me and doing well in the afterlife. Her remains are situated on a table beside my desk, a spot I glance at countless times throughout the day, and each time I do, I can't help but cry. I speak to her daily, recounting the events of the day with our children and anything else that comes to mind. I know Tammy is gazing down at me from heaven, proud of the father I've become and how I've taken care of our kids. Our granddaughter Sophie is growing up so quickly and is such a bright young lady. Tammy would be over the moon and bursting with pride. Sophie was Tammy's world, and while she would spoil her endlessly, she would also defend her, even when she was in the wrong.

My beloved daughter Ashley is truly one of a kind. She shared an unbreakable bond with her mother and even bears a striking resemblance to her. Sometimes, it feels almost surreal to catch a glimpse of Ashley walking down the hallway as if my wife is still with us. I can sense the depth of pain that my daughter is experiencing, and it breaks my heart. Ashley spends most of her time in her bedroom, grieving in her own way. I'm not entirely certain if she's hesitant to reveal her true emotions in front of me, or if she's trying to protect my feelings. Grief is a complex and delicate process, and it can be challenging to help someone navigate it when the loss is so personal. I do everything in my power to provide support and comfort for Ashley, no matter how small it may seem. Despite being a grown woman of 29, she will always be my little girl, and I cherish her more than anything in this world.

I engage in this routine on a daily basis, as it is the one activity that brings me joy and anticipation. While I cherish my children deeply, being a single parent presents its challenges. Without my late wife, I am only able to provide half of what I believe is necessary for my children's upbringing. Tammy was a remarkable mother and spouse, and her passing at the young age of 50 was a devastating loss. However, she always had faith that she would one day be reunited with God and our loved ones, and I take comfort in that. Coping with life without her has been increasingly difficult with each passing day, and I often find myself struggling. Some of my friends suggested that the pain would ease with time, but unfortunately, this has not been the case. Many have stopped reaching out or visiting, and some days are worse than others.

Unfortunately, my wife and I never had the opportunity to purchase new wedding rings. If we had, I would have never taken mine off. It bothers me when people refer to me as a widower. I prefer to be called a husband. Even though my wife is no longer with us, she will always be my wife. I am committed to her and will be until my final breath. I have no interest in finding another girlfriend. It's been over three decades, and my feelings for my beloved Tammy remain as strong as the day we first met. I only want her by my side. I can still vividly recall her stunning sandy blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, lovely face, and those lips - I long for all the kisses she ever gave me. I can't forget the way her bright blue eyes would light up and the grin that would spread across her face when I returned home.

Despite experiencing severe pain, Tammy never failed to put on a smile for everyone. I often wish that I could join her and be by her side once again. Perhaps, when our children are grown, I will be able to reunite with her in the afterlife. With God's blood and trust in me, I am confident that the Lord will grant us an eternal existence free from pain, cancer, and any other worries.

Thanks for reading this. I just wanted to say it out loud.

Bobby Porter 

04/30/2024

Hi, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 uterine cancer at the end of February. She is trying to fight it. She is responding well to chemo and is scheduled for surgery next month. Idk what I'm looking for. I guess support by people going through the same thing. Anyone know of any good, preferably non religious support groups for family of people with cancer?

I have stage 3 brain cancer, ogliodendroblastoma. I thinks that's how you spell it lol. My question is at the surgery site, specifically where the hardware is, is very sensitive to touch and some days it hurts so bad I can't think straight. Is this normal? Does anyone else experience this?

I am being encouraged a lot by some people to try CBD oil for my father. As far as I have researched it says CBD helps only in giving relief from the painful and nasty side effects from chemotherapy

But I am being told that CBD actually also cures cancer and works on cancer cells. I asked my doctor directly about this. He neither said yes or no. He was neutral. He said if you wanna try go ahead but I won't recommend as it does nothing on cancer cells. It's just this young generation creating a hype of this.

I am so confused now.

I am willing to try anything for my father if it's safe and works.

Is there anyone who has or had any experience with CBD? Or have much more knowledge than I have ??

Does it actually works on cancer cells??

Please help.

My boyfriend was having back soreness for several months. He attributed it to being overweight and non supportive mattress. Was making dietary changes but pain wasn’t going away. He went to a bone and joint center expecting a cortisone shot. They did an MRI, said nothing wrong with back, but saw something concerning, so sent him for CT next day. Results came back and they immediately sent him to Urologist - confirmed a mass on left kidney and additional tumor on right adrenal gland, but we don’t know if that’s cancerous or not. It depends on whether the tumor is producing hormones.

Bloodwork and urine sample came back normal. Bone scan normal. However, CT of chest found 2 modules (2mm & 6mm). They could be nothing, they could be spreading cancer... we just don’t know. And nothing seems to be going out way.

We’ve been together for 5 years. I’ve built my life and future around him and I am just beside myself.

My mom was diagnosed with primary adenocarcinoma of the body of pancreas incurable and locally advanced with metastasis to the retroperitoneum. The doctor let us know it was locally advanced pancreatic cancer, but I did not read the full documentation saying that it metastasized to the retroperitoneum. It’s been 2 months since she was initially diagnosed and this coming Friday will be her third time doing chemo (3 days long). After her 4th chemo in 2 weeks we will be doing a second CT scan to see the progress

Today I finally read the CT scan that gave us her diagnosis and I feel so numb. I’m going to cry later when I’m not around mom, but this makes me want to make a list of things to ask her or things to do because I don’t know how long I’ll have her. What are somethings you wish you could have asked your loved ones or done?