Welcome! Please Introduce Yourself.
Welcome to our community! We’d love to learn a little about what has brought you here.
Hi, my name is Jeff Uher, diagnosed July 2018 with Prostate Cancer at age 59, high aggressive Gleason 9. Family history with paternal grandmother passing of ovarian cancer at age 42, uncle & father with prostate cancer (although low grade, and both lived to 90). I elected for prostatectomy (February 2019 - stage T3aPN1) as I needed hernia repair as well, all done at same time robotic assisted. Recurrence at end of 2021, and PSMA PET Scan showing one spot in pelvic area. Began Androgen Deprivation Therapy in April 2022 with salvage radiation May & June 2022. Remain on hormone therapy for 2 years, ending May 2024. Throughout all of this blood tests every 3 months, scans (CT abdominal & Nuclear bone scans) at various points to check for any possible growth or spread. Have remained PSA & cancer undetectable since August 2022. Just completed a PSMA PET scan and no cancer detected. With this I will drop to blood tests every 6 months and scans only if something triggers.
I have always maintained a positive attitude throughout and have not let this stop me from anything I wanted to do. I always mention when asked that there is some anxiety around tests, scans and such. I became somewhat of an ambassador talking with friends to raise awareness of getting tested, finding out family medical history and educating people on what it can mean to be diagnosed. I have a great team of doctors and great support around me from family and friends. In my acting role as an ambassador, I have become involved in several discussion groups online including one with doctors and researchers around the world. One research doctor in Italy and I have become good friends, and he gave me what I consider the best words of advice considering my family history. "You can be pre-destined, but it doesn't mean you are pre-determined."
Lifestyle changes, attitude, knowledge and great support from different directions have benefitted me greatly! A cancer diagnosis brings about changes to who you are, how you view events in your life, and even how you deal with adverse events. Guiding yourself properly, not hiding, listening and learning, asking questions and seeking second opinions all have allowed me to not let it control my life.thank you so much for sharing with us. You have been through a lot. It sounds like your positive mindset gave you so much strength. Your work as an ambassador sounds rewarding. I know our community will benefit from reading your powerful words. Jill (Team Member)
Hi my name is Donna Creagh and in October I was diagnosed with reoccurring melanoma. The first time was in 2009 malignant melanoma on my chest luckily they were able to remove that as well as Basal and Squamous cell carcinoma's from my face. I thought that was the end of it. No one advised me otherwise ultimately the blames on me because after a few negative result follow ups I stopped going, problem solved.
October 2025 I randomly went to a dermatologist for a check up. I ended up having 4 melanoma's and underarm lymph nodes removed. I was told I now have stage 3C metastatic melanoma and every two weeks I receive Opdivo infusions. At first there were no problems or reactions. As of now I'm very nauseous, throwing up, can't eat, anxiety, peripheral neuropathy. So sorry I spoke so long but since I have no support I've reached out here. I guess I had a lot to say.
Thank you,
DonnaI am so glad you reached out to us. Our community is here to provide you support. You have been through a lot. I am sure your trip to the dermatologist was overwhelming for you, as you thought you were going for quick check up. I wish the infusions were not so tough on you. Does your doctor have any suggestions or thoughts concerning your reactions? Please come visit our community whenever you need and please keep us posted with how you are doing. We also have a skin cancer site as well: https://skincancer.net/. Jill (Team Member) thank you for reaching back. Blessings
Hi, my name is Jody Walls. I’m 60 years old. I started out with colon cancer when I was 32 then I had uterine cancer 10 years later and they found out I had mutant gene called Lynch syndrome and then last year I got diagnosed with appendix cancer, a tumor that they can’t operate on
hi Jody, we are so glad you found our community. I hope it is somehow comforting to be able to share in a place where others are going through similar experiences. If you don't mind sharing, what is your doctor suggesting for treatment for the appendix cancer? Sending you hugs and strength. Jill (Team Member) well they said 29 months of chemo, but I had three chemo treatments in my body rejected it so we’ve been doing keytruda but we’re stopping now to get my body
Hi everyone. I'm a three-year survivor of Rectal Cancer and a Squamous Carcinoma on my tongue.
After my diagnosis, I was surprised to learn that these lesions were the result of HPV. I didn't understand the prevalence of viral cancers until I had to sit down and learn about them.
At first, I thought it was too late to learn more, because I already had them. But there's more to the story than trying not to be exposed to the virus. There's an entire post-treatment lifestyle that can exist to prevent it from recurring.
Because of the method of transmission for HPV, I felt a great deal of shame. I know I shouldn't have, but the shock of being told 'You Have Cancer' really took a bite out of my confidence.
I hope this discussion opens up some dialogue and shared stories between others who have questions or experience with HPV related cancers.Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience. More needs to be done to make people aware of the connection between HPV and cancer. Your advocacy is important. How are you doing now? All the best, Kathy (Team member)
