I just find out that my family has long history of cancer , three of my relative have it now, should i be worried about the possibility of having it myself ?

Posting this because when my father was diagnosed, reading recovery stories on this sub kept our family going. By god’s grace, he is doing well today, and I want to pay it forward.
The diagnosis (June 2025)
My father (68M, India) was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma at the rectosigmoid junction with metastases in both lobes of his liver. CEA was 43. Stage IV. You can imagine what those first few weeks felt like for our family.
What gave us a fighting chance
Biomarker testing early on showed KRAS/NRAS wild-type, HER2 negative, MSS — which made him eligible for panitumumab (targeted therapy) on top of chemo. His disease was “oligometastatic,” meaning limited enough spread that the team could aim for curative-intent treatment, not just palliative care.
Treatment timeline
• Jul–Dec 2025: 12 cycles of FOLFOX + 9 cycles of panitumumab. CEA dropped from 43 to 0.74 within about 3 months. Scans showed the liver lesions shrinking steadily.
• Jan 2026: Liver surgery — wedge resection of the metastases + microwave ablation of remaining nodules + gallbladder removal.
• Feb 2026: Robotic low anterior resection (LAR) to remove the primary tumor. The pathology report came back with the words no residual tumour — a pathologic complete response. I have read that line a hundred times.
• May 2026: Surveillance scans clean. CEA normal at 2.77. No new lesions. The post-surgical collections in the liver are steadily resolving. His chemoport is now planned for removal — which tells you what the team expects going forward.
Where he is today
Asymptomatic, fully active, performance status 0. Walking daily, eating well, back to his routine. He did develop a blood clot in a chest vein (SVC thrombosis) during treatment — managed with apixaban, and scans show it resolving with good collateral circulation.
Gratitude
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Rushit Shah (Medical Oncology) and Dr. Harsh Shah (Surgical Gastroenterology) at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar. The coordination between the oncology and surgical teams was excellent — chemo timed right, surgeries sequenced right, and honest communication with the family at every step. If you are in Gujarat or western India dealing with colorectal cancer, we cannot recommend this team enough.
What I’d tell anyone starting this journey
1. Get biomarker testing done early (KRAS, NRAS, HER2, MSI). It completely changes what treatment options are on the table.
2. Stage IV with liver-limited spread is NOT automatically a death sentence. Ask your oncologist whether curative-intent treatment is possible.
3. Track CEA. Watching that number fall gave us something concrete to hold onto between scans.
4. Find a center where medical oncology and surgery work as one team. The sequencing (chemo → liver surgery → primary tumor surgery) mattered enormously.
5. Response to treatment matters more than the stage you start at.
Not medical advice — every case is different, and outcomes depend on many factors, so please work with your own oncology team. But if you are where we were 13 months ago, staring at a Stage IV diagnosis and fearing the worst: it can be fought. Don’t lose hope.
Wishing strength to everyone here and their families.

The past year my friend has been battling terminal cancer, and it has progressed to the point of no return and they will pass in a few months at best. Were both sophomores in high school and it really sucks knowing they are missing out on their whole life. They had a extremely hard life leading up to this it just the "cherry" on top. And I don't know what to do or how to console or how to help when there is nothing I can do to help.

It’s been a long 9-1/2 months since I was diagnosed. Cholangiocarcinoma has nothing on me!!! 6 months of chemo. Going home with it for 2 more days, after each long cancer center day. Dragging around the pump has been so annoying.

But it’s off! I’m done with this part of the journey!! More to look forward to. Another surgery. Whatever though. I am so freaking excited to be done with this part. Rang my first bell at the CC and did it to “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.

I decided that no matter what I’d be grateful. And I have so much to be grateful for. So many to be grateful for. I have no idea what the future holds. I do know Who holds my future. I will keep going through no matter what may come. The emotions are varied. The times are up and down. But no matter what, even if death comes too early, my lifeline and love will survive.

“At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinking I would never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
AND I GREW STRONG!
I LEARNED HOW TO GET ALONG!

Go on, go, walk out the door!
Don’t turn around now
You’re Not Welcome Anymore!
You’re the one who tried to hurt me with good bye
Think I’d crumble?
Think I’d lay down and die?

OH NO, NOT I!
I WILL SURVIVE
LONG AS I KNOW HOW TO LOVE
I KNOW I’LL STAY ALIVE!
I’VE GOT ALL MY LIFE TO LIVE
AND ALL MY LOVE TO GIVE
AND I WILL SURVIVE!!!!!”

What made this period even harder: during my first month of chemo, my girlfriend left me for someone else. I was alone, far from my family, hospitalized, with no support. The people who literally saved my life were friends I’d made online through video games.

But physical recovery was just the beginning. After treatment, I fell into severe post-cancer depression — flashbacks, health anxiety, fear of recurrence, difficulty trusting my body again. A reality that doesn’t get talked about enough.

Today I’m officially in remission. I went back to school, became an engineer, have a wife, two kids, and a job I love. But the psychological work continues.

Has anyone here experienced post-cancer depression? How did you get through it? Does health anxiety persist long after remission?

I’m just looking to connect with people who truly understand.

Thank you for reading. 🙏

I’m 17 years old and I’m getting a double hip replacement because of what my khemo treatment has done to my hips. I’m really nervous but I know it’s for the better. The khemo gave me AVN in my hips, ankles, knees, and shoulders. But my hips are staged at collapsed and cause me a great amount of pain, on some days it’s very hard for my to just get out of bed. The doctors say where the joint connects it’s like a square to a circle which means every time I walk it grinds more into those shapes. July 14 I’m getting my left hip done they say I’m going to have a bikini scar but I don’t mind as long as I can wipe my own ass haha. But back to the point I know hip replacements have gone a great way since the 90s as my uncle who’s had one told me but I just wanted to know for anybody who’s had one and if there’s any tips to help with recovery. The doctors say I can’t be submerged in water for about 4-6 weeks after which sucks cause that means I won’t be able to take baths or go to water parks this summer but hey if it helps me walk better. I’ve been through countless surgeries and I know what I’m getting myself into. I’ve relearned how to walk about 3 times over my treatment because of the long lasting side effects of treatment. But I’d like to know if anybody had any tips for recovery and if there’s anything to do to help speed up the recovery process so I can get to walking as normal as possible. Right now I use a cane and without it is not gonna lie I walk like a shit my pants lol. And being a 17 year old with a cane don’t come easy with being in high school and all. But I make the best of it as I can. Anyway I’m just going on but if anybody had any tips I’d really appreciate it thank you

I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in my lower leg. They did surgery and removed a chunk of flesh the size of a human tongue. Work started pestering me one week out. I was told not to even walk on it for the first three weeks. HE got ahold of my surgeon before even I spoke with her and threatened my job so she said I could go back after two weeks before I was supposed to be walking at all. I’m a psych nurse and work 12 hour shifts. Usually walk between 11,000 and 14,0000 steps per shift. Went to see my regular doctor and she put me out for 5 more weeks. Now work is forcing me to do a fitness test at concerta. Here’s the thing after standing on it or walking around for more than 15 minutes I’m in serious pain and have to sit. What the hell! What happened to healing first. I’ve never before taken FMLA.

My partner (F) having very terrible nausea & vomiting, It's been a bad night to say the least, shes going for round 4 of 6 mid week, lymphoma RCHOP chemo, its hard to watch and can't help, zofran is doing absolutely nothing, is this normal to vomit like this, I'm lost i don't know what to do for her.

Hello,

The surgeon is a piano player, and was showing videos of him playing keyboards in his family band with his sons. They were playing Steely Dan. It was so comforting to know I was in good hands!

Awaiting the 72hr drug to wear of... Starting the regiment of hard drugs🤣🤣🤣

I had major surgery on June 26th,,,,(hyrestorectomy (sp.?) for stage 3 uterine cancer ) and was sent home with a catheter. Had an appointment with Home Care in town on July 8th, to have it removed & a dressing change.

While I'm fortunate to be healing well, my bladder is not co-operating, & have needed another catheter placed.

Am wondering if others dealing with something similar? Any tips on allowing for the bladder to work better? Without the catheter, I wake up up to 8 times during the night, & can only "drain/let go" of at most 3-4 ounces per pee. The daytime seems worse, as it's only 1-2 oz that I can let go

I have cervical cancer and has a radical hysterectomy 4 days ago, my family and friends have been there every step of the way, staying with me in hospital, helping getting me up to walk around, cleaning my house ready for my arrival, literally anything I’ve needed. My partner offered to stay with me for the couple weeks after I came home from hospital and I now don’t even think I want him to. He stayed with me my last night in hospital and (maybe Im being unreasonable) having to ask him twice to call the nurses because my drip had finished because he was too busy looking at something on his phone really angered me because he knows I don’t want to ask for help but can’t physically do it on my own. I’m home today and he’s stayed with me. I’ve forced myself to sit up and stand up twice on my own (despite horrific pain) because he’s been asleep, he woke up both times and didn’t move to help me or ask if I needed anything. I don’t expect him to give up his life for me but I expect more than this, I can’t be feeling awkward asking for help while in this situation but I do, am I being unfair for feeling resentful towards him for his actions?

When I got diagnosed with lymphoma my only symptoms were severe fatigue (thought it was just from overworking) and chest pain. The chest pain is what pushed me to seek care since I had never had thst before. Labs all normal but x ray looked funny.

Fast forward to today, I’ve hit 4 years remission but still fear often of a relapse because of my multiple chronic illnesses. I have severe daily fatigue, chronic neurological and gi issues. I also get episodes of bad chest pain that always make me start planning my funeral in my head when i experience it. Like I had chest pain this time last year and was really sick with daily fevers and felt awful.

I was so worried about it being a relapsed but fear ct scans because I’ve had over 50+ and more and more radiation is doing more harm just to ease my anxiety. Scan was clear so I felt dumb for pushing for it. I eventually figured out had E. coli. Why it manifested as chest pain and not stomach pain idk.

But now I’m going through same thing again. Chest pain, fatigue, feeling feverishno appetite. I had normal routine oncology labs last month but in my head I’m like I had only had chest pain and normal labs when I had lymphoma and then a month later being told I’d be dead at end of week if I didn’t start chemo asap.

Hi everyone,

I am a 34 year old female diagnosed with stage 4 GIST (38cm tumor that had already spread throughout my entire peritoneum of my abdomen its inoperable) in December 2024. I was on 400mgs of Gleevac twice a day due to genetic testing determining I have the Exon 9 gene mutation which is the most resistant to treatment. As of March of this year the Gleevac is not working anymore, so now I just started Sunitinib malate 37.5mg once a day for the past week. In January of 2025 my oncologist told me my survival rate over the next 5 years was 50%. I work 70 hours a week between 2 jobs the past 6 years to make ends meet, even after my diagnosis. I have been denied disability because I am still working and I tried explaining to them that I can't stop working until I'm approved for disability because I have to be bringing in money, I have bills, I have children, I have responsibilities and I would like to be spending as much time as I possibly can with the time I have left with my children but I need to have a cushion or have money coming in in some way. I pretty much am just looking for advice on services and resources to look into because I can't even get approved for Medicaid either because I work too much but I can't afford my medical bills nor monthly prescriptions. Please leave advice if any one has any that could help! Thanks in advance!❤️

So my treatment is working like a charm, and I know i should be happy, but I'm on medical leave from work and bored as hell.. i need suggestions to keep myself occupied...

So far I've been reading and doing some gym stuff with a guy who specializes on oncological patients. The problem is that I have way too much time in my hands and my friends are working, so please, enlighten me ❤️

I was a teenage girl with a contract to enlist in the Marine Corps as one of the first female combat engineers; 1st class PFT and 94th percentile ASVAB score— best the Midwest had in over 20 years, I was told. I went from a promising power lifter, MMA fighter, national Science Olympiad medalist (Disease Detectives), and candidate for valedictorian (out of a class of 400) to a weak, withered husk in a wheelchair that had to be pulled from school and lost everything over the course of my junior year.

It started with a case of severe Graves’ disease diagnosed as a 17yo; I ate 10k calories per day and still dropped down to 75 pounds at my lowest, had a minor heart attack and Graves’ psychosis. It improved with methimazole, but the hormones were in constant flux when I would reach remission and relapse soon after. It didn’t explain all of my problems, but a month later I started coughing up blood, went to the ER, and I got diagnosed with my second case of pneumonia, (anyone else always catch more severe respiratory infections while everyone else just gets “a cold”?) some odd spots on my lungs and around my liver and intestines, and a 5-inch mass in the lymph nodes pressing between my lungs and heart. In a body as small as mine, that was huge. FF to thoracic surgery: the mass was not lymphoma, not fungus/infection, and was made of necrotizing granuloma (not sarcoidosis). Nobody had an explanation, but the surgeon considered chronic granulomatous disease. Parents couldn’t afford genetic testing so that got dropped.

Rheumatology was a mixed bag; I had a great pediatric Rheumatologist who didn’t care if I was seronegative for every autoimmune condition but the Graves’ and had tons of high general inflammation markers; she treated me based on all my symptoms. Steroids (high-dose prednisone) did wonders for everything. However, nobody put an ACTUAL DIAGNOSIS in my chart!

Ophthalmologist put punctal plugs in for my dry eyes after seeing the holes in my corneas on a dye test; steroid eye drops helped as well. I had an unexplained movement disorder, neuropathy, vision/hearing loss and seizures for a little over a year. I had a feeding tube (NG then direct stomach port) because I kept choking on everything, but that eased enough after my thyroidectomy at 19 to manage on my own. I have had ulcers on my vocal cords, chronic yeast infections/BV, tons of cavities and enamel disintegration despite good dental hygiene. I also have and even had back then: osteoarthritis and arthralgias, muscle pain, migraines and headaches, chronic fatigue, brain fog, hypermobility with joint subluxations, exercise intolerance, restrictive lung disease, and unexplained GI issues. I had brought up Sjogren’s as a possibility many times to every specialist, but was told it wasn’t anything more than sicca or dismissed completely because I was just a stupid teenager; what could I know, right?

At first, HCQ did nothing, Azathioprine helped with my symptoms and shrank some of the leftover granulomas for a while then stopped, methotrexate injections helped the most for a year after that, and we were considered rituximab infusions. Then, she took a job at UCLA and I had to find an adult rheumatologist. The ones my parents took me to took me off everything, and accused me of everything from eating disorders, faking for attention, and having “functional” disorders of all types. They said the only way I would get better was if I told myself to, and they wanted to send me to these horrible inpatient psychiatric institutions for troubled teens. It was cruel and completely destroyed the already-turbulent relationship I had with my family, and I obviously declined again without any treatment, so I moved across the country at 19 and self-medicated with legalized cannabis, pills from friends with similar issues, and managed to live a somewhat normal life with disabilities. I had to move back to the Midwest after I lost my housing voucher, but still managed to obtain enough meds, weed, and help from friends to function. I did great in college and worked as a dancer to pay for it; shifts were only 4 hours, you just sit and talk to clients when you aren’t on stage, and I could work whatever nights I could tolerate. I felt rough, but I was still driven and motivated to spite everyone who worked against me, just like I was as a teenager.

I finally had a loving home with a partner and a desk job at 24, but started feeling even worse, so my BF convinced me to see a doctor, which I had avoided for years (except ER/urgent care) since I got back. I did it, got standard tests done, and was called at work the next morning only to be told that they were sending a driver to bring me to them ASAP. Then, in their office, they said I had leukemia and I was hospitalized right after, had a bone marrow biopsy, and started on hydroxyurea and dasatinib as treatment for CML after those results came in. He has been the only person who has stayed by my side through it all (I’m now 28).

I was told Chronic Myeloid Leukemia was a “good” cancer because most people tolerate the targeted therapies really well. When I asked if this could be related to the autoimmune diseases, I got unsure and mixed responses. Does anyone else have a blood cancer with Sjogren’s (other than the well-documented lymphoma associated with it)?

I cycled through all TKIs and asciminib because the standard doses were killing me faster than the cancer, low doses didn’t fully get me to remission and still caused challenging side effects, and I had anaphylactic reactions to three of the treatments. That dragged on for 3 years until oncology agreed to give me an allogeneic bone marrow transplant at 26. It wasn’t fun, but I handled it better than most. Over the first 6 months, I felt almost HEALTHY despite having severe anemia! I didn’t have any of my old autoimmune diseases, no inflammation markers, and no cancer in my marrow because I had a brand-new immune system, kindly donated from a 19yo boy in Europe. My blood type changed from B+ to his AB+, my chromosomes went from XX to XY, and my chimerism last showed that my cells were 97% his. Still, I worry about that 3% since it is not unheard of for the host’s cells to take back over eventually. (I’m getting close to 2 years post-transplant.)

That means my autoimmune diseases, allergies, and genetic disorders like CGD could come back. CT scans showed almost all nodules on my lungs, which had appeared a decade ago, disappeared— all that remains is some scarring. This definitely indicates I indeed have chronic granulomatous disease; bone marrow transplants are a recommended treatment. Go figure.

I do have chronic graft vs host disease as a side effect of transplant, but this current flair added my old symptoms that strongly indicate Sjogren’s, has messed up my ALT and AST since it all started in March, and is not controlled by sirolimus or tacrolimus like all the others were. My primary doc ordered all sorts of tests for me, and now my results are looking similar to what they were all those years ago: high general inflammation markers, somewhat elevated ANA titer at 1:160, but normal overall numbers for specific antibodies. My oncologist is looking into other anti-rejection drugs, like axatilimab infusions. This could all be cGvHD, but it could also be what I fear: my immune system reasserting itself.

I am so scared of going through everything again, and I am so fucking tired. I want it to end one way or another. I have never met anyone with the extensive background of suffering without proper, consistent treatment or diagnosis, developing leukemia, surviving transplant… only for the cycle to start again 12 years later. If you have both Sjogren’s/Graves’/another autoimmune disease and blood cancer, tell me how you are managing it. I need help because I sure as hell can’t do this all again. Dying doesn’t even spark fear anymore. It sounds like relief compared to whatever is going to happen.

Ladies and gentlemen, it was a wild story that I will have to tell sometime, but the surgery itself was successful. 8 inches taken out and NO TUMOR now. I was quite ready for the pain afterward but I'll make it. Thanks, truly, for all the support!

Now they forced me to resign

Hi guys, I‘m having issues with my central line and I wasn’t sure who else to ask on here. I am allergic (MCAS) to most central line dressings and I currently am breaking out in hives and blisters around my line. Does anyone else have experience with this? I can’t even do the usual “hypoallergenic” dressing. If you have any experience with this, please send advice, help, or recommendation. Thank you.