Has Cancer Been ALL Bad For You?

PhillieG · February 2010

This post was started on the Colon Cancer section of the site by me. As of Saturday, Feb 27, at 11:40 pm there were 77 responses. I'm curious what kind of comments I get on this section of the site:

We all either face the effects of cancer or are caregivers to those who do. I think it's safe to say that cancer is not one the the best things that has happened to us.

Have you found something positive that has come out of your cancer diagnosis that you may not have realized if you were not diagnosed with cancer? If so, would you care to share?

I have found that cancer has given me an even greater appreciation for the simpler things in life. The bird chirping, the sunrise/sunset, the way light highlights my wife's face...

Unknown · February 2010

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PhillieG · February 2010

Gracie
I'm sorry for all you've been through with cancer. It does not discriminate, it causes pain and suffering to all and those around them.
Thank you for posting, I don't imagine it was very easy for you to do.
-phil

Marcia527 · February 2010

The only positive thing
The only positive thing having cancer did for me was it made me realize my time here was almost up. So we changed our life. Our life had been in a state of flux anyway but we realized the place we were wasn't where we should be. The next change we made wasn't right either. Sometimes you make choices and think you need to follow them thru. This time I was shown that it would be ok to stop and make another change. Who knows if we would have done this anyway, cancer or not.

Before cancer I thought I'd live into my eighties. Now I don't expect to but that's ok.

RE · March 2010

I Care Grace!
Grace I know you are not looking for sympathy so please do not consider this such, consider it friendship of one who has walked a similar path. I have not lost my husband to cancer although he has had a small skin cancer that has grown on him and he has to be checked for it a lot, I have lost many others. I just want to tell you that I care and I wish for better roads ahead for you, you will and are in my prayers.

RE

mariam_11_09 · March 2010

No not at all

In many ways it is a truly a gift from God, an opportunity to do some deep and profound spiritual work. Not I am not always smiling and there are moments when I feel sad or afraid or tired and worn out. In addition there many moments where I feel a deep gratitude for what is here right now.

RE · March 2010

I have put off answering
I have put off answering this question as I thought it through. Cancer has been an in my face part of my life since I was 17 and my mom was dx with breast cancer. We battled it with her for 27 years, then my sister got it, then I got it. I lost my mom, sister,an aunt, sister in-law, two brother in-laws, and one very good friend all to cancer. It has done little to bring joy into my life, however there has been good that has come from my cancer battles.

1) My father found religion and has a strong faith that God is out there.
2) My husband found God which surprised the dickens out of me, but gave me much joy.
3) Cancer has given me the special people I have met here.
4) Insight into what is truly important and what is not worth arguing over.
5) Has given myself, my husband and my children the reality that we do not live forever and we should value each other and everyday.
6) Cancer is an illness it is not ME, I am more than cancer and I choose to be happy in spite of all that cancer has done to my family and myself.
7) It has given me a greater awareness of my surroundings like the clouds, animals, beauty of the waves, mountains, birds singing and such.
8) I do believe it has given my husband and I a greater appreciation for one another.

I am sure there are other things I could come up with but for now this is my list. My best to each of you.

RE

CanadaSue · March 2010

Yes and No
The past 4 years have been a rollercoaster ride for sure....

It has turned our world upside down. Some days I wish for our normal life, only to realize we now have to deal with a new normal. Would I wish this journey on anyone - no way...

The things we used to take for granted, we no longer do. All the trips we one day planned to take, have been taken.

So, not everything has been bad - it has been an eye opener, one that I wish more people could live by without having to go thru this hell called cancer.

PhillieG · March 2010

Sue
I think most people can see there is SOME good thing or things that may have happened if not for cancer opening our eyes to some extend. I know we all have different experiences but even if it's finding comfort on this site, then it's something good IMO.
Believe me, life is no bowl of cherries (or bowels of cherries either!)
Thanks for your and everyone's responses so far.
-phil

RE · March 2010

trips
You know Sue we chatted before as I recall. I have battled cancer 3 times so far, the last time my husband nearly quit his job to hang out with me....he would have regretted that LOL! We have decided that if it returns before he actually retires that will be it for his work on the road we go to see and do as much of the things we want too as is possible. It is nice to hear you managed to see what your hearts desired.

Hugs,

RE

RE · March 2010

deleted
doubled posted darn it.

Hugs,

RE

CanadaSue · March 2010

Hi RE,
Yes we have talked.
I
Hi RE,

Yes we have talked.

I wish I had the option to stay home, but I don't have that choice right now.

The year after Bill was dx'ed his boss sent us on a cruise to Alaska, that was a trip we had talked about doing for atleast 10 years. Last year we travelled to Seattle to See a major league baseball game, we are hoping to travel to the east coast this year.

The company I work for have been so good to us. I can have time off whenever I need it, I don't abuse it but I do go to appointments with Bill. We had to travel 200 miles twice now for surgeries and my company has a condo there, which we were able to use at no cost to us, and it was only 10 minutes from the hospital. And to think I was starting to look for a job closer to home when all this started....

We have been blessed with so many people fighting right along side of us thru this journey!

And I am not sure where I would be mentally if not for this board, I came here scared, depressed, not knowing what to think. I was soon put at ease, and learned that stage 4 colon cancer was not an automatic death sentence. We don't know what tomorrow holds, but we will deal with it when it arrives.

I give thanks, for everyday we do have together!

Have a great weekend RE and Phil

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Has Cancer Been ALL Bad For You?

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