Cancer Survivors Network

I had total body rads and a bone marrow transplant (autologus) going on 25 years ago soon and have a ton of side effects they now admit are from the treatments including total body rads.

Thank God I haven't had any secondary cancers and hope that continues but I have several medical issues that scare me. I had some minor surgery to remove a kidney stone a couple of years back and when I woke up from surgery the surgeon mentioned that all he found was 'scarring that you would NORMALLY see after radiation'. YIKES. That told me clearly that my inside was showing signs of damage and so anything was possible it seemed from here on in. It's scarey.

I am still being followed for a cyst on an ovary that seems to have disappeared but now the lining of my uterus has thickened for no apparent reason so they are watching that with pelvic ultrasounds every 3 months. I have had other symptoms I don't like and fight chronic pain all the time, most of it all to do with past treatments.

Sometimes I feel like we are a forgotten part of the whole cancer experience, those who had treatments so long ago and now are suffereing the late effects. It is getting better though, the recognition I mean, but it sure has been an uphill battle being validated for all that has come afterwards.

I know how you feel.

One day at a time and try to find your joy in life that you can focus on to help with all those moments of reflection on how the treatment, for us, was only the beginning.

Blessings,

Bluerose