April 2026 summary

From Mina on April 24:

Today was a big moment. We took out the needle from my last round of of the first course of chemo. I’ll start another course at the end of May, and I’ll continue radiation for another 3 weeks… but I get to go home next Friday. I get to cuddle my dogs in bed, and I honestly can’t wait.

Something really amazing happened today too. My doctor called me in for an examination. He said he normally waits until after a treatment ends because that’s when the cancer typically starts shrinking. But mine is already shrinking, and at a very fast pace. We’re now focusing the radiation on the lymph nodes. The damned lymph nodes...

The nurse who removed my needle today was the same nurse who was in the room when my doctor told my mum how little time I might have left. As little as 9 months. That memory hasn’t left me, and I have a YT video coming up soon where I talk to my mum about how hearing that from my doctor made her feel. But now it's different. I’m fighting so hard, and I’m beating the odds. My doctor actually looked happy telling me I could let my mum know I have more time and that I’m doing really well. Even abnormally well.

I still have a long and tough road ahead with stage 3C1r small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. That hasn’t changed. But what has changed is hope, and I’m holding onto that with everything I have.

I also just want to say thank you. For every message, every thought, every prayer, every share, and everyone who’s supported the GoFundMe. However you’ve shown up, it’s helping more than I can put into words. I feel it. I carry it with me every single day.

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Cancer related Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.co.jp/hz/wishlist/ls/3SA584ZO2WK6X

GoFundMe for treatment expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rescue-the-rescuer-minas-cancer-fight/