Are there any cancer survivors here?

Question

Being one myself, It would be of great interest to hear as to what cancer has taught you besides being knowing that it is a life threatening illness? What good has it done to you once the ordeal was over and you had beaten cancer at the very doorstep of death? What are the lessons you have learnt and what have been the consequences?

Cancer is a great teacher and one learns a lot fighting it - could you'll describe your feelings when you were told you had cancer and did you feel you had it in you to overcome it?

If you folks want to know why I asked this particular question of all you heros/ines ( which I really mean) do visit www.rdoc.org.uk and read "Ananth's story".
It has been six years since I last had a sip of water orally.

Answer 1

Yes, cervix cancer when I was just 17. It kills 300,000 women a year!

Lesson learned, take care of your body! Notice small things and get them looked at and taken care of. It might be nothing, but then again it might be something life-threatening!

Answer 2

I'm 25, have beaten cancer twice already and was diagnosed with another tumor, in January this year.

Doctors first realised I had cancer when I was 15, uterine and I had a tumor on my appendix which corkscrewed into my bowel. Treatment when on for a few years, then I was clear for nearly 4 years. At 22, was again told I had uterine cancer, I had all sorts of bits removed, chemo for 6 months, and radiation for 12 weeks.

January this year, doctors found a tumor in my right kidney. Being treated, medication is working well but will need Kidney removed.

Being diagnosed the first time I didn't realize how serious it was. My doctor didn't tell me, I found out at school over hearing teachers discussing my options for home schooling. I think it took a good couple of months to actually realize what was going on, and then it hit me real bad. My family and friends pulled me through, I was young and wasn't ready to give up.
I had many complications and was clinically dead twice during that time, once I pulled through I realized I am not ready to go anywhere.

Second time I found out was during a check up, had been suffering from really bad pains so dr ordered extra tests and it was positive. Lots of surgery this time, lots more treatment which was really hard.
This time I was no longer living at home, but with my fiancé and was studying at University. The thing that made me realized I was strong and could do it was a professor. I told all my teachers my diagnosis and one professor said I should quit his class if not the entire degree. The work load would be too hard; I would miss out and suffer. That made me all the more determined to survive, I stayed at Uni. Stayed in his class and was the first student in 5 years to get 100%, on the Deans Honor Roll and I am now doing post graduate study as well as working for an investment firm.

This year I was diagnose with a tumor in my kidney, it took months to actually realize what was wrong and find it. Being treated, have had a few biopsies. This one shouldn't kill me, so life is going on.

The way I look at it now, cancer is just a challenge. One of those little hiccups. Everyone has some sort of challenge, some peoples are bigger and some people have more. I was sent her for a reason and at the moment I don't know what it is so not going anywhere yet.

I have a loving family, friends and wonderful medical treatment. People pity me but I feel lucky.

Answer 3

Great you are still here,

I am in my 28 month of fighting with Multiple Myeloma. It 100% changed my life.

For some of us the "ordeal" is never over; we have to fight till it kills us. But it gave me a different outlook on life; try to live each day to it's fullest and don't sweat the small stuff.

I 100% believe that the mind can help the meds to keep it at bay and that the positive FIGHT outlook will keep me around a lot longer than rolling over and feeling sorry for myself.

Yes, you do go through the "why me's" and 'not fair" but after that you need to get up, pull up your socks and live your life. I tell everyone I know that they could be hit by a bus in an hour; I just have a better idea of when and how my demise will occur.

It made me change my life for the better and I am actually a lot happier now than before I was diagnosed.

Hang in there,

Jewells
28 months and still here

Answer 4

Breast cancer four years out. It has taught me to take better care of myself. Mentally,physically and spirt. The consequences I was a little bitter. I could not believe I got cancer. Still thought I was never going to die. Well I could and I will some day. I cried when I found out and the whole day was a blur. Since I just could not believe it I beat it. I do not think I will ever get it again. I would not want to go through the treatment again. I think we do fight for the ones we love. I love my family. My husband would be lost without me. May all with cancer get well!!! love

Answer 5

I think at first you think to yourself this all has to be the biggest nightmare of your life. Then you are snapped into reality because you think of all the people in your life and what I will do to them if the worst ever comes. Then you sit and ask why me and what did I do to deserve this. The hardest thing is toughing out all the medical treatments and hanging in there when you really have no ounce of strength left in your body.
I guess looking into my childrens eyes and knowing I had to live and keep fighting for them what made me go on and keep going today. Don't give up and keep fighting and most of all being positive everyday is something you have to program in your mind everyday. Overcoming it is still a everyday thing but not letting it take over is a bigger thing, because you will never know when of if that nightmare may appear again.

Answer 6

Yes, 12-yr breast cancer survivor who had chemo and radiation and an aggressive type of cancer. Have had many "scares" since but am still here. I get checkups and tests every six months and remember how fragile life is. Good luck to all survivors. You are your best friend and advocate. Keep up on all the latest and make sure you have the best doctors. Challenge them, seek second and third opinions. That's why I'm still here.

Answer 7

I had thyroid cancer. Biopsies were inconclusive, so after 2 years, I had the suspicious side removed. It was positive. After 3 months, I had the other side removed. I then had radiation, scan, and there is now some residual left, so I'm waiting for another scan to see if it is gone or not, otherwise more treatments.
I have 3 boys, and I keep going for them. Never give up.
It has definately made me appreciate my friends, and family more. I have no tolerance for people 'waisting' their life.

Answer 8

Had uterine ca at 30, made me wake up and make the most of life, became a nurse and had a good career...what i felt was GET IT OUT! was such a surprise coz i had no symptoms, found it with a Pap test...and yes i had young daughters at that time so it was really important i get over it. Was lucky all was "encapsulated" so surgery was all that was needed to clear it all out

Answer 9

I am a 2 year, Stage II breast cancer survivor. I hope Avery is following on this because I want to urge you to follow up with your doctors. Prayer is important but God works miracles through doctors and medicine. You have a lot of good years ahead of you and little ones and a husband at home that would like to keep you in their lives. Please let God work his wonders through a good oncologist.

Answer 10

was told last yr i had cervical cancer..age 33, I have kids a new husband...I was thinking why me....but then it hit me...why others too? I had to get over the "poor me" and take control...I did...had surgery, a few treatments and I am still here... I go every 3 months for a pap. Thats no fun!! I pray for all of us daily. much love and smiles!!