Your perspectives on having been through cancer - do you consider cancer an enemy or a teacher?

Question

Would appreciate serious answers. Having survived cancer when there was no hope, its strange but I never held the cancer responsible for my condition. The scars it left behind are more then most can bear - I will never be able to eat orally or breathe normally for the rest of my life and has been six years since I last tasted food or had a drink of water. I still do not blame the cancer and consider myself lucky I got it. It has taught me so many things like becoming more humane, seeing the world in a different perspective, watching my kids grown into fine young men, falling in love with my wife all over again, devoting time to my aged mother, helping others who are not so lucky with funding their medicines, diet and money. If not for Cancer - I would still be the old grouch - working day and night and not enjoying the lovely life that we always wish we had but never had the time. I have been to hell and back. What do you survivors feel about cancer? Is cancer a curse or a teacher?

I am really touched with all the replies I have got and cannot express how glad I am to see each one taking life as it comes. I know there are many more people like us who have serious disorders due to cancer but refuse to open up. Once you share your burden and relate your story with others who have been through the hell and misery and think life is over and cancer has defeated you you can go through the replies of all these wonderful people and realise how lovely the world is. please take care - each one of you all and God bless.

Answer 1

Interesting question,

Glad you have a poisitive outlook; and I have a simular prespective now. Diagnosis with a "terminal cancer" completely changed my life. I stopped just living and started LIVING.

i am happy every day (because I am still here) and try to be postitive, yes it was a teacher but Every day I wish I didn't have cancer. On my birthday, people always ask me what I wished for; dumb question - I wish I didn't have cancer, it sucks.

Everyone thinks that they will live "forever" or till 80 or 90, then some "guy" in a white coat comes in and tells you that the "odds" are you will not be around in 5 years. It take a lot to get over that (and you really never do - it is always "right behind your eyelids" 24 hours a day).

I too feel lucky to see my kid grow up; but I also worry about who will be there for him when I am gone. Glad you have a great wife, family etc. it is just like the Tim McGraw song "live like you are dying"

Cancer is the enemy and we should do everything to fight it and find a cure. Like a friend of mine always said [still miss you Mel]; "this may be the year of the CURE" {he died of Myeloma last year}

thanks for the great question,

Jewells
29 months and still here

Answer 2

As a cancer survivor and amputee I'd have to that my experience with cancer has been that is both an enemy and a teacher. I've learned so much about myself since my diagnosis and treatment and have grown accordingly. But there are still days when I get upset by what happened and hate that I have a battle to face everyday because of my cancer. I'm learning to take it one day at a time and deal with stuff as it comes to me.

Answer 3

First of all, I’d like to state that you’re really lucky and secondly you’re very strong to fight this terminal illness! Hats off to you! It must be very hard for you to sacrifice a lot of things but believe me, with inner strength one can do wonders! I lost my sister 4 years ago. She was 30yrs old and died of ovarian cancer. It was very depressing as the cancer had spread and the doctors had to de-bulk (remove most of the organs). My ma died of brain tumor. I miss them a great deal! There’s not a day that passes by that I don’t think of them!

Once a month I go to cancer institute (I live in India – Chennai) and spend time with the patients there. Give them hope, encouragement etc. It brings me happiness that just can’t be described in words! I underwent an emergency surgery last month. Ovarian torsion was the diagnosis. Gangrene set in and as a result they had to remove my right ovary. I am 30yrs old and unmarried. That has me rattled till date. Haven’t gotten over it yet!

For your kind heart, I sincerely hope you’re able to eat on your own and breathe properly real soon. Do continue to be strong and help others in every way possible.

Take care,

Vas

Answer 4

All life is about learning. Just like college, some students progress and some flunk out. My guess is that you are a straight A student!

I also survived cancer the doctors said I shouldn't have. I've also built the best life I can with the raw materials I've been given. Isn't that all anyone can do? The fact that we are missing some nails, wood, and hammers just means that we figure out more creative solutions.

Answer 5

Yeah, I know what you mean. I was given a 5 % chance of surviving the Ewing's sarcoma I was diagnosed with in 1974 when I was 17. I ended up surviving but losing my left leg above the knee. I have had many other physical problems in my life, though in retrospect, nothing like what you're dealing with. I agree with you that my experience with cancer has made me a better person than I would have been had it not happened.

Answer 6

The answer to your question is both.Being diagnosed with a terminal illness tends to put life in perspective, we learn to value the people we care about more, and we see life through new eyes, we no longer go through life with blinkers on.
been there done that when i was 28 I had cancer.
and I lost my sister-in -law aged 44, 2 years ago to cancer, and my brother-in-law is in hospital at the moment with terminal cancer he doesn't have very long now he is 57 years old

Answer 7

I believe it to be a teacher. I work with cancer everyday i am a PET specialist and cancer researcher. To many good people and Innocent children are affected for it to be a curse. I have learned more from people with limited time on this earth than i could ever express.

Answer 8

YOU, SIR, have one helluva perspective on life, with those trials and tribulations.
How in hell can I extend enough praise and kudos to you?

I'm a survivor, but not as devastating. I went thorough divorce after surgery, married 16 months. Another story for another time.

I'm older than you and alone. I know what I'm waiting for.
I don't know which one was the enemy.
God Bless?

Answer 9

your story was touching. Cancer to me was a teacher as well. I seem to live life and love life alot more. I dont take things for granted!! Good luck to you always!

Answer 10

You have learned a lot......you made your life better. It is both a curse and a teacher. Every day when you wake up, just think.......you got one more day that someone else and I am sure you will make the most of it.