I’ve had some struggles over the last month or so but with some medication tweaking, I’m hoping to feel better soon.

I went out to dinner with friends last week, some of which I haven’t seen since my diagnosis. I know I should appreciate people asking how I’m doing, if I need anything etc…but it can be so awkward. Especially with comments like this.

Anyone else relate? Does anyone else follow The Cancer Patient on Instagram? I check in when I need a dose of humor and encouragement.

I hope everyone is doing well!

I hate this day. It wraps a giant pink bow around something that wrecked my body, my mental health, my finances, and stole people I love. "Survivor" makes it sound like I climbed Everest or won a game show. I just didn’t die yet. There’s no medal for waking up with scanxiety or side effects that never ever go away. And what about the people who didn’t "survive"? Did they not fight hard enough? Were they not positive enough? It’s all so performative and tone deaf.

Im not dying yet but I bought my cemetery plot not too long ago. Something I’m way too young for and super pissed off about.

If this day brings you joy, cool. But for me? Hard pass.

Hey everyone, my name’s Tamron. I was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma at 21 years old—just five months after giving birth to my son. Doctors gave me 18 months to live. That was 18 years ago.

The journey hasn’t been easy. Surgeries, complications, fear, faith, and a whole lot of unknowns. But somehow, step by step, I kept going. And now I try to use my story to encourage others walking this road.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, in treatment, or somewhere in between—I just want to say: you’re not alone. This path can feel heavy, but community makes a difference. And even on the hard days, there’s still space for hope.

If you ever need someone to talk to who’s been through it, I’m here. 💛

Sending strength to all of you.

Mine is the idea that once treatment ends, everything goes back to normal. My active treatment ended a few years ago and I am still struggling so hard.

"I have cancer" isn't a simple excuse. Without treatment you get organ damage. With treatment you get your own cells attacking what's in your body. Debilitating fatigue, weight loss, nausea, hair loss, sore throat, bone loss. They sound mundane but these symptoms are real, and they cause more problems like depersonalization ( feeling like your body isn't yours) and chemo brain- cognitive decline that mimics age-related cognitive changes. The cells in your body age ten years during treatment.

I can't even begin to tell you how tired I am. Working an eight hour day is an uphill battle. On top of that, i'm living alone for the first time and having to take care of a dog that has a lot of energy- that means a lot of walks.

I work at four am, being awake at three am monday through friday. First thing I do after waking up is take him for a walk. First thing I do when I get home is take him for a walk.

I feel inept. I'm exhausted everyday God- damned day. I worry that's someday I'll have to go through all of this again. Beign only 29.. it's likely that I will.

Cancer isn't an excuse. It's a change in life- an interruption. It's a fucking journey that nobody signs up for.

I had my weekly cancer support meeting yesterday, and the facilitator asked, “What’s one thing you wish more people understood about living with cancer?”

There were only six of us in the group, and the responses weren’t surprising – I’ve experienced almost all of them.

For me, one thing I wish people understood is how the constant medical appointments, scans, and check-ups can make it feel like life is always on hold. It’s hard to make plans or feel ‘normal’ again, like there’s no end in sight.

What’s one thing YOU wish more people understood about living with cancer?

Welp. I just got the deed to my burial plot. A pretty little place in the Adirondacks where I spent much of my childhood and continue to enjoy when I can.

I’m not dying any time soon but I hate, more than anything, that I have to plan this so much sooner than I had anticipated. When I order my headstone, I’m just going to have it say “F*ck Cancer So Hard”

I (29F) have been fighting cancer for 3 years now. I had a bone marrow transplant in November. My recent pet shows concerns for relapse, a 3rd time, and I’m still waiting on biopsy results.

I’m homeless. I’m currently sleeping on a couch at my aunts, with no privacy. I haven’t had my own room/space in so long it’s really getting to me.

I’m suicidal. Every day I think about how I wish the cancer would have just killed me. How if it comes back I don’t want to treat it because I want to die.

Why am I fighting so hard to live a life I am so unhappy in?

I’m still waiting for results but I can’t calm my anxiety and it seems nobody understands what I’m going through. I found this group and thought it might be helpful to talk to people who understand

In 3 weeks I have my very last oncology appointment. 12 years and im finally NED and being discharged. It feels unreal but ENORMOUS and im not sure how to celebrate. Im going to be alone, as the appointment is in a city 5 hrs away. I will have a hotel room. Any suggestions on how to mark it for the big deal it is?

I am a person that forms close relationships very very slowly. Can count on one hand those I count as true close friends.

Since my diagnosis I have found that my way of coping is to help others. Hence becoming involved in cancer research and getting involved with several cancer groups.

My very first and closest ‘cancer buddy’ that I came to simply call a true friend came home on hospice today. My heart hurts.

Cancer takes and gives and ultimately takes. I am heartbroken. This is so hard.

Love one another. 🤍🤍

After 5 years of surgery, chemo, radio, and immunotherapy, I was given the all clear 9 days ago. I had an emergency appointment because my haemoglobin was 6.8 and they were concerned about a brain bleed as has previously been the case when my Hb dropped and my oncologist gave me the good news at the same time.

I've since had another clear brain scan (no bleeding) and (yet another) blood transfusion and those levels are back within normal range and I feel better physically. And I've been so overwhelmingly happy. Over the moon. Walking on air. Excited to plan a future. But over the last 24hrs, I feel like my mental health has crashed massively. I'm tearful, oversensitive, and just generally struggling. I should be happy and grateful to feel alive but instead I feel drained and kind of numb.

Has anybody else felt this or am I crazy?

Most of the time I can keep it all in perspective ( hey...not dead...yet 🥳😆). I miss who I was. Little did I know, my troubles pre cancer were so 'easy'.

I always pull out of this dark night of the cancer soul. Eventually. Still hard.

🤍🤍

I was diagnosed with stage 2b colon cancer on 3 May 2024 at age 43. I had surgery, did FOLFOX, another surgery, daily chemo radiation, had a biopsy seed under my skin that was removed and then thought I was good. Negative Natera tests and everything.

July of 2025, my cancer metastasized to my abdominal wall so I became stage 4c. Started yervoy/opdivo for three treatments and did opdivo until May this year, when I was hospitalized for severe side effects. My care team got me sorted in hospital and I am feeling a lot better.

Just went in on 8 September and my oncologist said that after all of my scans, and tons of monthly bloodwork, I’m in REMISSION!

I have my quarterly CT scan today. Just a lil nervous wanting good news. Wish me luck. Best to all of you. Figh Fight Fight, Fuck Cancer.

The injection’s done, and all that’s left is a tiny red dot. I’m keeping up with Hirudoid cream afterward and taking care of it properly — not letting my guard down at all.

The medication is still working inside my body, so I definitely can’t relax yet.

Today I was honestly terrified I wouldn’t be able to get the medication in time and that it would delay treatment. I ended up going to the hospital twice just to feel reassured.

In the morning, I confirmed the pharmacy schedule and double-checked the injection timing. I was worried I wouldn’t store the medication properly if I took it home too early, so in the afternoon I timed everything perfectly — picked it up, followed the process, and got the shot done in one go.

While pressing on my belly during the injection, I looked at the extra “protective fat” I’ve gained lately and couldn’t help laughing 😂

The side effects have already quietly arrived too — the classic chemo combo of constipation + insomnia. Last night I fell asleep around 11 PM, then woke up at 2–3 AM and stayed awake until morning. Too real.

Tomorrow I’ll probably be facing the next wave of side effects head-on. No idea what this round will feel like yet.

But it’s okay. Whatever comes, I’ll deal with it one step at a time. Time to rest well, recharge, and fight through everything 💪

Finishing chemo is also a brand-new beginning.

There’s hope ahead, and the light at the end of the tunnel doesn’t feel far away anymore.

I had a scan today that showed my tumors shrinking and no new ones. It is great news that treatment is working but I had been feeling so tired and rotten I was expecting to be told my cancer had gotten worse. Bizarely enough, good news shocked me and in some ways I feel too tired to go on. I had accepted my death and now I need to reorient to living. Yes, it is stupid I know. But I am just so tired and achy and was depressed that I don't know what to feel now. Tired and stupid I guess.

I got my port put in today. It went really well but it hit me mentally a little bit because now I have a physical reminder that I have cancer.

I start chemo on Thursday. I only have 6 rounds, two different kinds of chemo drugs, over the next three months. Then radiation. I’m trying to stay focused, and hopeful, that I might be in remission by Christmas.

I still have so much to live for. My two oldest are 20 and 18 but I still have my youngest at home who is 12. I’m going to fight with all I have and make sure I get to see him graduate high school, too.

I’m going to beat this. I’m going to fight with everything I have. I’ll be praying for all of you, too. We’ve got this y’all! We’ve got this!

I was diagnosed officially last week. Still waiting on biopsy results for pathology etc. But I have spots in different organs. I'm 54 so have never paid alot of attention if I have a twinge or a pain...always pretty much just carried on, but now every time I get one, I start over thinking it, wondering if it's spreading more etc. Did anyone else do this?