One Month After I Beat Cancer, My Mom Was Diagnosed With Stage 3 Stomach Cancer

For those who may not know me, my name is Nevin Shoker. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, an aggressive blood cancer in November of 2024 and went through chemotherapy from January-June 2025. Just one month after I completed all of my cancer treatment, my mom, Laxmi, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Gastric Adenocarcinoma, a fast growing form of stomach cancer.

For the past couple of months, my mom's iron and hemoglobin levels were critically low. Doctors had tried prescribing iron pills and liquids, but her stomach could not tolerate them. This led to frequent blood transfusions for her to stay stable, but the cause was still a mystery.

My mom was experiencing severe stomach pain and went to our local urgent care, only to be rushed to the ER from there. After learning about her history of anemia and the extreme stomach pain she was experiencing, she was transferred to another hospital where a GI specialist performed an endoscopy and discovered a 7cm tumor that was oozing blood within her stomach. Once a biopsy and PET scan was completed, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Gastric Adenocarcinoma.

My mom has already started FLOT chemotherapy—an aggressive regimen used to shrink the tumor before surgery. The treatment has had agonizing side effects: extreme nausea, digestive issues, fatigue, loss of appetite, brain fog, and weakness, especially given her age.

She will need a gastrectomy—a surgery to remove part of her stomach where the tumor is located. It is a very complicated procedure that needs to be specifically adapted to meet my mom’s particular situation and tumor placement. There are only a limited amount of oncology surgeons in California that are qualified to perform this type of procedure.

Our oncologist has found a specialist in the Bay Area that would be able to perform this procedure, but unfortunately is not in our insurance network and requires having to pay for the procedure out of pocket.

While we’re thankful the cancer was caught in time to start treatment, this has taken a huge toll on my family emotionally, mentally, and financially, especially as we are still recovering from my own cancer diagnosis this past year.

My family and I are supporting my mom the best we can in every way possible as we navigate this unpredictable situation. We’re grateful for any contribution toward helping my mom get through this difficult journey, and with the unexpected medical, surgical, and living expenses that arise from it.

My mom is a resilient woman. All of my strength, persistence, and optimism I received from her. We have faith that she will get through this and pray each day that she renews her strength and becomes healthy once again to live her life to the fullest. ❤️ Whether it be a contribution, kind words, or heartfelt prayers- my family and I truly appreciate the support shown to my mom. We are sending so much love and strength to those who have experienced a similar journey to ours. Cancer sucks.

Thank you all for everything. 

Love,

Nevin & Family

If you want to follow along on mine and my mom’s cancer journey I share daily updates on my TikTok.

https://www.tiktok.com/@ibeshocker?lang=en