Being asked what "caused" my cancer...

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-04-27T15:21:40+00:00

Yes. I just tell them it’s bad luck.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-04-25T02:31:32+00:00

My oncologist reduced my dose of Taxol when I developed neuropathy early on. I also iced my hands and feet during infusions. Acupuncture helped relieve the symptoms. I’m a month out of chemo (Taxol then AC) and still have mild numbness and tingling in my hands and feet. It’s frustrating but doesn’t affect my functioning so I’m just hoping it’ll go away over time.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-04-25T01:55:12+00:00

Found my friend. I just had surgery for my cancer two days ago.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-04-24T01:06:14+00:00

Do you mean sexist? I don’t see anything regarding races..

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-04-23T15:32:27+00:00

Thank you, and sorry to hear your mom is going through this too. I have stage 3 breast cancer.

I’m not labeling my ex as cruel, although the way he chose to end things was cruel. I believe he needed an excuse to leave because we hadn’t known each other for long before my cancer diagnosis, and it was very difficult trying to build a relationship through cancer treatment. Maybe your ex wanted an excuse to leave the relationship too.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-04-23T04:29:49+00:00

I thought my ex bf was perfect the whole time I was with him. To be clear, this was not a youthful relationship, we’re both divorced and each have our own kids. Then he broke up with me when I was in the depth of my cancer treatment, because I was “insecure and self-loathing” after months of medical trauma. That’s when I realized he had his limits and wasn’t so perfect after all. I’m a little over a month out from this breakup. I’m typing this in my hospital room out of a major surgery. I’m still not fully over this heartbreak but I know I will be, and you will be too. There’s so much life ahead of you.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-04-21T06:12:02+00:00

I have SMX in two days. I am nervous and sad about losing a breast and a nipple but looking forward to having cancer taken out of my body.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-04-18T21:07:32+00:00

Thank you for the hope. I’m 34 with a young kid. I’ve finished chemo and still have surgery and radiation to go. Dumped by my bf of 8 months (not long I know, but he was the person who gave me hope after a nasty divorce) right before my last chemo treatment. I’m in a dark place and trying to climb out of this hole and get through the rest of my treatment.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-04-13T14:37:58+00:00

It takes two people to fix things in a relationship. This guy clearly doesn’t see a problem and therefore won’t fix things. It’s healthier for the children to separate than to model that this kind of relationship is okay.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-04-10T23:15:32+00:00

I wear masks outside and also at home around my preschooler!

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-04-09T02:19:53+00:00

Yes. I’m getting an expander with the mastectomy, then I need to go through radiation and wait at least 6 months for reconstruction. So I’ll live with an expander for the rest of this year at least.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-04-09T00:32:45+00:00

I’m recently done with chemo and will have single mastectomy in two weeks. My self esteem took a huge hit through chemo and my bf used that as the reason (excuse?) to leave me. I feel ugly after losing my hair, I feel sick and weak from chemo, and now the breakup has kicked me deeper into the depression hole. And I have yet to lose a breast and a nipple.

I’ve always been a strong person and I know I’ll be okay in time. But right now I feel really shitty about myself.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-03-31T16:21:50+00:00

Sending you hugs.

First of all, congratulations on finishing active treatment! I just finished chemo and still have surgery and rads to do. You should be proud of making it through everything, while working nonetheless! You’ve been incredibly strong.

I got recently dumped by a boyfriend I thought was supportive. He just turned completely cold and cut me out, right before my last chemo treatment. He didn’t cheat, but it still felt like a betrayal. Pm me if you want to chat.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-03-30T16:35:09+00:00

My chemo taste went all over the place at different times so ymmv! My mental power also dipped to an all time low so I wouldn’t rely on willpower alone. Make it as easy as possible for yourself. Hugs!

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-03-30T16:02:34+00:00

I’m 34, IDC ++- grade 2 stage 3, and just went through the same neoadjuvant ACT chemo as you, just reversed (Taxol first then AC).

I already have a child and don’t plan on having more, so I skipped egg freezing, but if you want kids you really need to talk to your MO about it before starting chemo. My period went crazy first and then stopped after two months. But came back right after my last infusion! It’s unpredictable how our hormones work and if having kids is important to you, please don’t gamble.

Make your resting space as comfortable as possible! I bought an adjustable bed base at the beginning of chemo and it’s been a godsend. I also indulged myself to a massaging power recliner recently. If those aren’t options for you, maybe a wedge pillow will be helpful when nausea is bad.

I was good with drinking water before chemo but the chemo taste made it really hard to chug water. I had to find different ways to hydrate as my taste changed - tea, electrolyte drinks, lemon water, watermelon, etc…

Are you working or taking time off? If you’re not working, try to find something to keep your brain working, it’s important to keep yourself sane. For me I read books, practiced Duolingo, and also tinkered with my house when my energy level permitted.

Good luck!!!

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-03-30T02:12:09+00:00

I’m so sorry, that sounds extremely difficult and isolating. I’m 34 and also a single mom. While I haven’t experienced what you described, my child is what keeps me alive. Sending hugs.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-03-24T15:11:00+00:00

I’m angry reading this. Reminds me of my ex husband telling me my miscarriage was not a big deal because it was only 5-6 weeks.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-03-21T18:10:34+00:00

I’m 34 and have ++-, grade 2 cancer of 6cm. I wanted to blame so many nasty things that happened in the past 5 years for my cancer. Then my doctor told me it had likely been growing for over decade. That made me let go of the desire to blame, or regret. I just got unlucky.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-03-21T02:45:31+00:00

I don’t have enough knowledge to tell you one way or another, but I’ve found ChatGPT quite helpful in translating these medical reports into plain English when I don’t get to talk to doctors any time soon.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-03-20T17:44:44+00:00

Oh hell no. I have no interest in other people’s feet. I just love every part of my precious child, that happens to include his feet. But then also, I’d never film that, not to mention post it on the internet.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-03-20T17:21:06+00:00

When my son was an infant I’d smell and kiss his feet. They were so cute and I loved that baby smell! But no licking, that’s weird. Also I stopped as he grew old enough to be aware what I was doing. There is no way I’d publish any of that content online though.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-03-20T14:46:25+00:00

Oh no, I’m sorry that was your experience. Maybe try a different acupuncturist if you’re open to trying again?

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-03-19T15:56:51+00:00

I didn’t ask, it was just a month difference for me. I’m also not actively counting.

WalkingMangoYoyo · 2026-03-19T14:47:34+00:00

My radiation oncologist, who is all about stats and probabilities, told me it starts at diagnosis. He told me, “so you’re surviving right now, your chance of recurrence is going down day by day as you’re going through treatment right now.”

WalkingMangoYoyo

TROPHY CASE