I Could Use Someone to Talk Too...

Dagney1924 said:

I had surgery on my mouth and

I had surgery on my mouth and neck in October. Just had early stage cancer cells on mouth floor, none in lymph nodes but had removed as a precaution. 

Then 3 weeks ago they found a few cells under my tongue so did a minor surgery to remove. I wish I knew the side effects before I went into this, as I don't 

Think I would have done all that. I thought since I caught early it would be easy. But I spend every day miserable from lymphedema, and my tongue swells and is numb so I cant speak

Or eat very well. I spend a lot of time crying. I'm not even a survivor yet, but if it comes back I won't do anything to get rid of it. 

Hello,

What your going through sounds truely awful...

I can sympathize, but not completly empathize because what you're going through isn't the same as what I went through. And, even if I had had the same thing happen, it would've been different, because I'm not you. But, even though our situations are different, I can give some time, lend an ear and a virtual shoulder to cry on. 

Take care,

VWR

sydknee said:

Hello RSWRossman!

I'm sorry if I am late to respond to this post. I actually created an account to respond to this.

February 2020 will be my 2nd anniversary of my thyroid cancer diagnosis. I had my thyroid removed March 2018 and went through radioactive iodine treatment in July 2018. My thyroid was riddled with tumors. I had one that was around 3 inches long and several smaller ones. I was lucky that it didn't spread to my lymph nodes, but I still have to go back every couple of months for an ultrasound to check on them.

You were able to put how I feel into words about coming to terms about being a survivor. In my experience, after being cured and going back to normal life was weird. I have always hated calling myself a cancer survivor and have really felt it hard to identify with, mainly because I am young and going through the treatment felt less like a battle and more like rolling with the punches. I'll be going through my normal day and then I'll have a random thought like "wow I had cancer, that's crazy". I have a sash hanging on my wall from Relay for Life that says survivor on it, but I don't feel like one.

You don't have to be all positive and all smiles about it. I tried so hard to make everything seem like I was ok while going through it and even afterwards. I cope with humor, so I try and laugh it off and make jokes even though talking about it puts me on the verge of tears. Anyways, what I am trying to say is don't force yourself to feel happy if you don't feel that way and don't try to shame yourself for not being happy. You have already been through enough pain and shouldn't beat yourself up over it. Overtime, I think you will grow to accept your survivorship status. That's what I am trying to do. I feel like the best way to do that is to talk to others and share your experience. Unfortunately, there aren't many in person youth groups near me, so that's how I found myself on here. I have also recently made more of an effort to take care of myself after having cancer because I am starting to realize that I am worth all the pain and trouble I went through and that my experience has shaped me into the person I am today.

I am glad to hear that you have been cured and doing alright. I haven't found anyone that I could relate to about my cancer experience, so it's nice to find someone who understands. If you ever need anything, feel free to message me!

-sydknee

Hello,

Thank you for writting, I really appreaciate it.

I agree and understand. I'm also going to say is it’s okay….

If you want to eat as much of your favourite food, and drink your favourite drink, it's okay.

If you want to stay in bed all day, reading, or sleeping, it’s okay.

If you want to curl up on the couch in your favorite robe and slippers, and binge watch whatever’s on The Food Network, it’s okay.

Whatever you want to do, it’s okay.

This is your experience, your battle and you have to fight it, whichever way works best for you.

I hope this helps and I’m here if you want to talk…

Kind regards,

VWR