Movies and Book w/ People Dying of Cancer

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JanJan63
JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member

This has bugged me for some time. I feel like it's kind of a cop out. An easy way to get sympathy for a character and to make a movie sad. We watched the new one about aliens the other night, Arrival. The main character's daughter dies of 'something' but she's bald when she dies so it's obviously meant to be cancer. I couldn't even finish watching it. The subject of death and the last words of the Chinese official's wife were just too much. Sorry, I don't think I'm spoiling the movie for anyone but if you've seen it you'll know what I'm talking about. It made me think that my husband will have to think about that, my last words. And they'll have to be there when I'm dead in a hospital bed.

I'm so sick of reading books where someone dies of cancer or seeing it in movies. Enough already. Come up with another illness to use for a change, please. It's too hard. They never seem to get better in the books and movies, they always die. We need hope, not this crap over and over again.

I'm so tired of being scared and thinking about dying all the freaking time. I know we all die eventually but I'm so scared it'll be sooner rather than later and I'm terrified of suffering first. I don't know how to make this easier for my husband and daughter but I want to try to help as much as I can.

I had to go to the bedroom before the end of the movie and just sat and cried. My husband came in and held me and he cried, too. I hate this. I just freaking hate this.

Jan

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  • IcyMoonstone
    IcyMoonstone Member Posts: 41
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    Ditto

    It has been a point of contention for me.  It seems like no matter what movie or story, there is always someone fighting cancer.  Nothing is safe.  Some of my favorite movies I have had to walk away from because I do not want the reminder.  I want to laugh and enjoy a film not ponder if I will look lik that in the end.  It is an easy plot point for them and it drives me nuts. 

  • BrianChristopher
    BrianChristopher Member Posts: 23
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    Rotten fruit

    Didn't see it, but thanks for your post, I don't need to see it.  I believe it is important to surround ourselves with not only hopeful, loving people, but also hopeful environments and media is one of those constants which seems to invade our space, so to speak.  I find that we must create our own spaces and when challenged by the world, whose view is not our own, we should reject it like a rotten piece of fruit from a tree.  Throw it on the ground and move on don't spend much time looking at it or wondering why, simply find another tree whose fruit is sweet and healing. My comments seemed to have taken an existential digression, but in any case thanks for the post on the movie. Brian

  • Phil64
    Phil64 Member Posts: 838 Member
    edited March 2017 #4
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    Big virtual hug to you Jan.

    Big virtual hug to you Jan. Hoping you have a wonderful and happy day. 

  • PamRav
    PamRav Member Posts: 348 Member
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    Let the sunshine in.

    Jan Jan I can totally sympathize with your post.  IMO the best thing all of us can do is not let the depressing, sad movies, books etc  into our world.  No matter how popular that film or novel is.  Avoid it. There are  many funny, silly movies out there.  even if you've already seen them; Steve Martins The Jerk,  Peter sellers in The Party or any pink Panther movie, that crazy Zoolander that my kids watched a million times, just to mention a few.  old sitcoms. Whatever floats your boat.  walk away from whatever causes you distress   

    Enertainment should be entertaining and fun. 

    Peace 

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    edited March 2017 #6
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    I had no idea it was coming

    I had no idea it was coming in the movie. My husband and step son had seen it and were insisting I watch it. I didn't want to watch because it was about aliens and I'm not into space movies like they are. I had no idea it really wasn't that much about aliens and more about the situation in the life of the heroine. When I started to get upset my step son was saying 'they never said it was cancer'. Which is true but when they show a dead body and it's bald that's my assumption.

    I'm just so tired of it all. This is the first period of time where I haven't been able to stop thinking about my cancer ad the met that's growing fast and the fact that right now I'm doing nothing about it. I think ablout it almost constantly and it kind of makes me mad. I've been able to either put it at the back of my mind or compartmentalize it before now. I started back to work yesterday and I don't think I'm going to be a good employee now. He's upset about a pateint not showing up for an appointment and it seems so trivial to me but I'm supposed to be all upset about it. It's not like we can do anything about it. My boss is a pretty good guy but he's wound pretty tight and while he spends tone of money and make huge money he frets about amall amounts. A hygienist got in troupbe for giving away a toothbrush for a patient who didn't have an appointment. "We can't keep giving things away, I won't make any money!" He's looking at buying an expensive new truck because he thinks they're cool. Last summer he bought a new Jag. He drives a BMW. He has a 1.5 million dollar house. Which is fine, he did the schooling and started the business and he makes a lot of money. Just don't be petty about small things.

  • blessed39
    blessed39 Member Posts: 90 Member
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    Sad Movies

    Jan so sorry you had to see this movie. They do seem to make a lot of sad movies concerning cancer.

    Years ago I read about a guy that had some kind of terminal illness and he would watch three Stooges

    movies and other old slapstick movies and hilarious shows. He filled his life with laughter and claimed he finally

    go healed. I don't know if this is true or not, but it caused me to retain a good sense of humor. My faith

    in Christ has given me a peace and freedom from fear that goes beyond understanding. If you wish you can read my story

    on my blog "How I Beat Stage Four Colon Cancer." God bless you and I hope my story will give you some peace.

    blessed39

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
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    NCIS

    Tonights episode of NCIS is based around a girl dying of Cancer.  Quite touching, though they went a bit crazy with the make up to make her look sick. 

    So much Cancer around, you really can't get away from it. If handled correctly, then it can be an education to folks watching, though it may be hard for those of us who are patients or care givers. 

    TRU

  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    edited March 2017 #9
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    Art Imitates Life

    While movies can often be sad, cancer used to be rarely discussed. Now they probably over do it. They use Alzheimer's disease a lot as well since there is more awareness of that disease. I know that talking about our death is often frowned upon, maybe try reading reviews (or have someone else do that) to make sure it's not cancer related might help. 

  • PamRav
    PamRav Member Posts: 348 Member
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    Just a thought

     Are there any support groups near you?    It's always good to talk to other people face-to-face that are in the same situation as us.    You are understandably worried and upset and I think the extra support would be a great help.   Also meditation is really a great help.  While it certainly doesn't make our problems go away  it does help with that incessant chatter in our head and the negative feelings that we feel.    I highly recommend it 

     Where I live we have a  Center that is just for people and their families that are suffering from cancer They have yoga classes, meditation,  group sessions therapy. I feel so fortunate to have it in my neighborhood it's a wonderful resource. 

    Peace

    ps   I hope you won't be offended when I say your boss sounds like a total jerk and I wish you could find another job with somebody who really appreciates the wonderfulness that is you!    

    hugs

     

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
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    blessed39 said:

    Sad Movies

    Jan so sorry you had to see this movie. They do seem to make a lot of sad movies concerning cancer.

    Years ago I read about a guy that had some kind of terminal illness and he would watch three Stooges

    movies and other old slapstick movies and hilarious shows. He filled his life with laughter and claimed he finally

    go healed. I don't know if this is true or not, but it caused me to retain a good sense of humor. My faith

    in Christ has given me a peace and freedom from fear that goes beyond understanding. If you wish you can read my story

    on my blog "How I Beat Stage Four Colon Cancer." God bless you and I hope my story will give you some peace.

    blessed39

    Thanks, I've read your blog

    Thanks, I've read your blog twice now. To be honest, I didn't find anything other than traditional treatment and a faith in God. Did I miss something?

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
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    PamRav said:

    Just a thought

     Are there any support groups near you?    It's always good to talk to other people face-to-face that are in the same situation as us.    You are understandably worried and upset and I think the extra support would be a great help.   Also meditation is really a great help.  While it certainly doesn't make our problems go away  it does help with that incessant chatter in our head and the negative feelings that we feel.    I highly recommend it 

     Where I live we have a  Center that is just for people and their families that are suffering from cancer They have yoga classes, meditation,  group sessions therapy. I feel so fortunate to have it in my neighborhood it's a wonderful resource. 

    Peace

    ps   I hope you won't be offended when I say your boss sounds like a total jerk and I wish you could find another job with somebody who really appreciates the wonderfulness that is you!    

    hugs

     

    Thanks Pam! You're sweet! My

    Thanks Pam! You're sweet! My boss is okay but he's a boss and his priority is his business which is to be expected. His ife told me the other day to figure out a game plan for my future there and talk to him about it. She says he 'loves' me and will do whatever it takes to make me happy.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    edited March 2017 #13
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    I agree that I should maybe

    I agree that I should maybe talk to someone as I'm getting quite bitter about the cancer thing. I know what I've been through isn't half of what some people go through and I feel bad for whining. At the same time I feel like enough is enough and it's time to feel better, not continue to languish in this kind of twilight zone of not getting better or feeling healthy.

    I hate it that my state of mental health is at issue. The last thing I want is to feel negative and impede my healing because of it. This is just crappy enough, I don't need worse. I go see the kidney doctor this afternoon about the stent and I'm so not looking forward to it. I know he's going to encourage me to do it but I don't want any more discomfort. I live with enough already.

  • LindaK.
    LindaK. Member Posts: 506 Member
    edited March 2017 #14
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    No glam in cancer

    I'm sick of the "glamourous" versions of cancer on tv, movies and in books.  Cancer is ugly and at least my husband had no "loving last words" I recently saw photos of him our daughter took of him in the hospice facility and was shocked to see how bad he looked. I hadn't remembered him looking so bad since I had seen his decline every day.  It made me glad we did not let people visit him in that condition, he would have hated people remembering him that way.

    We all will die someday and I'm sure we all wish to go peacefully in our sleep.  You have every right to be upset seeing cancer glamourized or however it is spelled.  I get it.

    Linda

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
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    LindaK. said:

    No glam in cancer

    I'm sick of the "glamourous" versions of cancer on tv, movies and in books.  Cancer is ugly and at least my husband had no "loving last words" I recently saw photos of him our daughter took of him in the hospice facility and was shocked to see how bad he looked. I hadn't remembered him looking so bad since I had seen his decline every day.  It made me glad we did not let people visit him in that condition, he would have hated people remembering him that way.

    We all will die someday and I'm sure we all wish to go peacefully in our sleep.  You have every right to be upset seeing cancer glamourized or however it is spelled.  I get it.

    Linda

    'You look so good!'

    Oh, how they lied! 

    I used to get told how good I looked during chemo. Now, when I look back at pictrues I see how sick, how yellow, how, how, hairless I was. 

    I am always happy to see you posting, Linda; but sad that your dear one had to pass. 

    TRU

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
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    Trubrit said:

    'You look so good!'

    Oh, how they lied! 

    I used to get told how good I looked during chemo. Now, when I look back at pictrues I see how sick, how yellow, how, how, hairless I was. 

    I am always happy to see you posting, Linda; but sad that your dear one had to pass. 

    TRU

    Yes Linda. I'm so sorry as

    Yes Linda. I'm so sorry as well. I hate how for so many it takes their dignity and humanity before it's done. If anyone is ever wondering, when I had the cardiac arrests from my blood clot I was told they tried to get me stabilized for ten minutes and were going to give up. When they arrived at the house I was in full cardiac arrest. The last thing I remember is the sensation of falling asleep, then nothing. No white light, no relitives who have passed calling to me or telling me I have to go back, nothing. I'm a little disappointed because I fully expect that to happen when I do pass. It would have been a great way to go, just too soon.

    I was going to tell everyone that there had been a white light and all that after I woke up from the coma but then I was so messed up I didn't bother. Would have been a good trick, though. 

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
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    JanJan63 said:

    Yes Linda. I'm so sorry as

    Yes Linda. I'm so sorry as well. I hate how for so many it takes their dignity and humanity before it's done. If anyone is ever wondering, when I had the cardiac arrests from my blood clot I was told they tried to get me stabilized for ten minutes and were going to give up. When they arrived at the house I was in full cardiac arrest. The last thing I remember is the sensation of falling asleep, then nothing. No white light, no relitives who have passed calling to me or telling me I have to go back, nothing. I'm a little disappointed because I fully expect that to happen when I do pass. It would have been a great way to go, just too soon.

    I was going to tell everyone that there had been a white light and all that after I woke up from the coma but then I was so messed up I didn't bother. Would have been a good trick, though. 

    It would have been even funnier if you'd told them you saw roaring red flames.  

    TRU

  • beaumontdave
    beaumontdave Member Posts: 1,280 Member
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    Jan, your thread reminds me

    Jan, your thread reminds me of hearing about a great tv show back in 08, but because the premise was a regular guy getting cancer and cutting loose, I couldn't watch it. After a couple of seasons I finally broke down and binge-watched "Breaking Bad" to get caught up, and I enjoyed the series right through to the end. Except for BB, I felt like you do, I didn't want to hear or see cancer stories. Even cancer treatment commercials made me wince, I didn't want even the word intruding on my peace of the moment, Cindy and I had more than enough reminders. Time has dulled my reaction to that stuff, but I know if it shows up again, I'll feel as you do, and avoid any of those kinds of stressors. Another thing that amused when I was younger, but no longer appeals is horror movies. Life has enough frightening realities without paying to suffer through 2 hours of invented awfulness. Oddly I enjoyed disaster movies back when, partly because the idea of the planet getting wiped out by one thing or another made cancer seem irrelevant. If something else was to get me, then all that emotion I'd invested in my diagnosis was a waste of time, which it is. I suppose it just illustrates my peculiar reasoning process. Anyway I understand your reasons and sympathize...........................Dave

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    edited March 2017 #19
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    Trubrit said:

    It would have been even funnier if you'd told them you saw roaring red flames.  

    TRU

    Ha ha ha!!!

    Ha ha ha!!!

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
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    Jan, your thread reminds me

    Jan, your thread reminds me of hearing about a great tv show back in 08, but because the premise was a regular guy getting cancer and cutting loose, I couldn't watch it. After a couple of seasons I finally broke down and binge-watched "Breaking Bad" to get caught up, and I enjoyed the series right through to the end. Except for BB, I felt like you do, I didn't want to hear or see cancer stories. Even cancer treatment commercials made me wince, I didn't want even the word intruding on my peace of the moment, Cindy and I had more than enough reminders. Time has dulled my reaction to that stuff, but I know if it shows up again, I'll feel as you do, and avoid any of those kinds of stressors. Another thing that amused when I was younger, but no longer appeals is horror movies. Life has enough frightening realities without paying to suffer through 2 hours of invented awfulness. Oddly I enjoyed disaster movies back when, partly because the idea of the planet getting wiped out by one thing or another made cancer seem irrelevant. If something else was to get me, then all that emotion I'd invested in my diagnosis was a waste of time, which it is. I suppose it just illustrates my peculiar reasoning process. Anyway I understand your reasons and sympathize...........................Dave

    Dave, you just reminded me of

    Dave, you just reminded me of how I felt for a long time after the surgery and abcesses and the infection in my surgical scar. I also couldn't stand to watch shows with people suffering. My husabnd likes Asian war movies and watches them whenever he can find one, even if it's just subtitles. I could barely stand to hear the screams and wails of people being killed. So yes, I fully agree.

    I still watched Game of Thrones, though. Love that show. I should try Breaking Bad, I've never seen it. Thanks for the support!

    Jan

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
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    I'm still scared

    I'm still scared even after 8 years.  There is not a day that I'm awake that I'm still not thinking about it.  One of my main problems is because of the constant bathroom issues that I've got so that is a reminder every day.  No cancer movies for me either - never will anymore, just can't do it.  I'm one that worries so much about everything anyway so if there was one little thing wrong in the movie that a person experiences as a symptom - then I've got it.  Terrible, terrible feeling.  Just remember you are not alone.  Hugs to you.

    Kim