Primorye mermaid shares health struggles after chemotherapy
Anastasia Slobodchikova — the only winter mermaid in Russia and a well-known blogger from Vladivostok — has faced a new consequence of cancer treatment. After a course of chemotherapy, the cartilage in her hip joint began to deteriorate, she told a journalist from VLADIVOSTOK1.RU.
In 2024, Anastasia was diagnosed with stage three follicular lymphoma. Despite the severe diagnosis, she continued to lead an active life, diving in cold water, taking photos and videos in a mermaid tail, and telling her followers about treatment and rehabilitation. Today, she is in remission. We gather all information and news from the life of the Primorye mermaid in a dedicated story.
Recently, the blogger reported in her Telegram channel Mermaid_slobodchikova_nastia that the latest MRI results were alarming: she showed signs of coxarthrosis — a disease in which the cartilage tissue of the hip joint gradually deteriorates.
«If you compare the scans from a year ago and today«s, the trend, unfortunately, is not in my favor. Then everything was normal, but now there are already changes,» Anastasia said.
According to the girl, she was warned in advance about possible long-term side effects of chemotherapy. That is why, feeling pain in her right hip joint and starting to limp, she decided not to postpone the examination.
«In ordinary life, I would most likely have ignored such pain. But I know what side effects chemotherapy can have, so I immediately went for an MRI,» she explained.
The trauma orthopedist that Anastasia consulted noted that the process is currently between the first and second stages of the disease. The girl was prescribed conservative treatment: chondroprotectors, medications with glucosamine and chondroitin to preserve and possibly restore cartilage tissue.
«It«s a long and difficult process. But if you create conditions for regeneration — both physical and medicinal — you can try to take control of the situation,» the Primorye mermaid explained.
Also, the doctor suggested intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid, but the girl is not yet mentally prepared for this procedure.
In addition, on the MRI, doctors noticed a cyst, which raised additional concerns. However, an examination by a gynecologist showed that it is a follicular cyst, related to the cycle and not posing a threat to health.
«This turned out to be a normal variant, not related to oncology or treatment. Thank God, everything is fine here,» Anastasia shared.
Now she continues chemotherapy and notes that she feels significantly better than a year ago. The girl shares her experience openly — including to warn other cancer patients about possible complications and the importance of regular examinations.
«If you are undergoing chemotherapy, don«t ignore your body»s signals. Even if it seems like it will hurt and pass, it«s better to check,» Anastasia advised.
