A 35-year-old woman, Linda Chavez, has shared the five symptoms she ignored before her terminal cancer diagnosis. Chavez was diagnosed with stage-four Metastatic Bronchial Carcinoma, a lung cancer that had already spread to her brain, spine, lymph nodes, and adrenal gland. She uses TikTok (@theterminalcancershow) to share her journey and raise awareness.

Chavez ignored a persistent cough she had for years. Initially minor, it eventually became painful and “piercing in [her] chest.” She urged others: “Please do not ignore a persistent cough.” Constant headaches were another overlooked symptom. For nine months, she woke up with severe headaches caused by cancer spreading to her brain.

She also experienced extreme fatigue, struggling to breathe due to pain during inhaling and exhaling. Another symptom was nausea, linked to brain metastases affecting hunger and nausea centers. Chavez added: “I was very, very nauseous toward getting diagnosed.”

Lastly, Chavez suffered pulsating bone pain, describing it as feeling like a stubbed toe across her entire body. Her brother-in-law revealed she now has leptomeningeal dissemination disease, where cancer spreads to the brain’s fluid cells. Despite her condition, Chavez continues to inspire her followers, raising over $40,000 for her treatment.

For support, contact Macmillan Cancer Support at 0808 808 00 00, available daily from 8 am to 8 pm.