The word Cancer

mef123
mef123 Member Posts: 45
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I can't say the word cancer out loud without squirming. I know my husband has it but to say it makes it all too real. Did any of you have this problem or do have this problem? I still can't believe it (it's only been a week and a half since diagnosis though), it seems like a dream, someone else. I don't know the word just scares me.

Michele

Comments

  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #2
    Michelle honey I was, and
    Michelle honey I was, and after almost one year, sometimes still can't get the dang word out of my mouth! My husband was diagnosed 11-11 close to our 27th wedding aniversary. Your not alone, I hate that you must be a member here but there is so much information and out pouring of support. I had a difficult time at first even coming on here and reading what was being said cause it made the cancer all that more real. The road does get easier though. It seemed to me once treatment began at I felt like we were doing something to beat this. What is your hubbys diagnoses and how are they treating him? Please feel free to ask ANYTHING as no question is dumb. People here are honest and they won't give you advise unless they are sure about the information they are sharing. Some people believe in some alternative home treatments and some don't. This will probably be the biggest difference in what you see in the threads. I have gathered very good info here and so will you. So.... I'm going to give the loving advice that I so desperatly needed about a year ago...BREATH this is a marathon not a journey. I have found this to be so true. Please keep us posted sweetie. Stephnaie
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #3
    Time Stands Still....
    Hello Michelle

    Reading your post has me thinking me back to my first week of diagnosis 7 1/2 years ago now. You're still in a state of shock right now. Saying the word makes it real - and right now, you don't want it to be real.

    You're reverting back to the pre-conceived connotations that all of us have when we first hear that word. Our knowledge base on the subject is limited and we all think the worst - that's just human nature.

    You'll find that as the initial shock wears off, you will be able to come to terms with it and when the gameplan comes in from your doc, you and your husband will find the strength to confront this thing head-on, which is the only way to do it. Don't run - instead embrace it and engage and fight it with all that you've both got.

    I'm a stage IV and have had cancer 3x now and beaten it 3x during that 7.5 year span. I'm currently back to a 'watch and wait' state after this latest 12-month battle. We're currently clear and hoping that the 3rd time was the charm, but I'm prepared to fight on more if it comes to that.

    I've nearly finished my book I'm writing about the cancer experience. My first chapters was titled "The Diagnosis." And your post is a reminder to me of why I'm writing it and the common feeling that we all get from that.

    It's all so new and it's also the Unknown - and that place is always scary.

    But there are lots of people here who have beaten big odds and alot of help and support here as well.

    Talk to us some more as you begin your journey - we'll try and help you over the rough spots, ok?

    -Craig
  • mef123
    mef123 Member Posts: 45
    #4
    Sundanceh said:

    Time Stands Still....
    Hello Michelle

    Reading your post has me thinking me back to my first week of diagnosis 7 1/2 years ago now. You're still in a state of shock right now. Saying the word makes it real - and right now, you don't want it to be real.

    You're reverting back to the pre-conceived connotations that all of us have when we first hear that word. Our knowledge base on the subject is limited and we all think the worst - that's just human nature.

    You'll find that as the initial shock wears off, you will be able to come to terms with it and when the gameplan comes in from your doc, you and your husband will find the strength to confront this thing head-on, which is the only way to do it. Don't run - instead embrace it and engage and fight it with all that you've both got.

    I'm a stage IV and have had cancer 3x now and beaten it 3x during that 7.5 year span. I'm currently back to a 'watch and wait' state after this latest 12-month battle. We're currently clear and hoping that the 3rd time was the charm, but I'm prepared to fight on more if it comes to that.

    I've nearly finished my book I'm writing about the cancer experience. My first chapters was titled "The Diagnosis." And your post is a reminder to me of why I'm writing it and the common feeling that we all get from that.

    It's all so new and it's also the Unknown - and that place is always scary.

    But there are lots of people here who have beaten big odds and alot of help and support here as well.

    Talk to us some more as you begin your journey - we'll try and help you over the rough spots, ok?

    -Craig

    Thanks
    You are all so nice here. My husband so far has only been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and they say it hasn't spread. I don't know what stage he is in yet. I don't know when I will know. He can't start treatment until this infection he got in his colon goes away. Hopefully that will be next week sometime. I'm just so overwhelmed and don't like the word cancer. I'm so mad. We have a lot on our plate without this between me and my son. Now he sick too although in a different way.

    Michele
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #5
    mef123 said:

    Thanks
    You are all so nice here. My husband so far has only been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and they say it hasn't spread. I don't know what stage he is in yet. I don't know when I will know. He can't start treatment until this infection he got in his colon goes away. Hopefully that will be next week sometime. I'm just so overwhelmed and don't like the word cancer. I'm so mad. We have a lot on our plate without this between me and my son. Now he sick too although in a different way.

    Michele

    Michele
    ahhhh Michele...like Craig I remember those words from 7 years ago.....Cancer!!! you know the expression your blood runs cold? well for sure that is what happened....

    shock double shock triple shock.....

    but then you start to absorb and over the days and weeks it becomes easier...

    now after 7 years....I say cancer to people all the time

    cancer cancer cancer......

    the more I say it ....the more I normalize it....

    I know this doesn't help you right now.....but trust us.....it does get easier....

    have a hug.....mags

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