I've had what seems like a hundred blog posts rolling around in my head during the last month and somehow managed not to post a single thing in May. Nada...not a photo or sentence. Geez, that's pathetic. Will endeavor to do better.
I have connected with so many young adult cancer patients/survivors in the past month: a new friend who survived uterine cancer at 23, 36-year-old newly diagnosed thyroid cancer patient, another friend who survived testicular cancer at 28.
While three of us are talking about being a cancer survivor at a recent dinner, a friend of my husband whom he has recently reconnected with after 20 years shares his wife (late 30s) also survived stage 3 breast cancer.
Do we just talk about cancer more now or does it seem like there is more cancer being diagnosed now? Maybe better testing/scans? Also I wonder if I am just more aware of it since I was diagnosed almost two years ago.
I have had two people ask me recently if I'm in remission. I hate saying no...but I'm also not actively being treated. Feels like a trick question. There's not a short answer. It's complicated.
I don't mind talking about it, I'm just stumped by this question more and more. How about "my bloodwork is abnormal but there is nothing significant found on any scan." or "My doctor is monitoring me closely because...." or "Kinda..."
Often I feel pretty good. Other days, when I get a sharp pain in my neck or get a glimpse of the scar on my neck in the mirror, I'd rather just go crawl in my bed and take a nap. But then I remember there is a dance/school performance or soccer practice or groceries to buy, and I keep going. And that's good, just what I need to do.
I have connected with so many young adult cancer patients/survivors in the past month: a new friend who survived uterine cancer at 23, 36-year-old newly diagnosed thyroid cancer patient, another friend who survived testicular cancer at 28.
While three of us are talking about being a cancer survivor at a recent dinner, a friend of my husband whom he has recently reconnected with after 20 years shares his wife (late 30s) also survived stage 3 breast cancer.
Do we just talk about cancer more now or does it seem like there is more cancer being diagnosed now? Maybe better testing/scans? Also I wonder if I am just more aware of it since I was diagnosed almost two years ago.
I have had two people ask me recently if I'm in remission. I hate saying no...but I'm also not actively being treated. Feels like a trick question. There's not a short answer. It's complicated.
I don't mind talking about it, I'm just stumped by this question more and more. How about "my bloodwork is abnormal but there is nothing significant found on any scan." or "My doctor is monitoring me closely because...." or "Kinda..."
Often I feel pretty good. Other days, when I get a sharp pain in my neck or get a glimpse of the scar on my neck in the mirror, I'd rather just go crawl in my bed and take a nap. But then I remember there is a dance/school performance or soccer practice or groceries to buy, and I keep going. And that's good, just what I need to do.
Sometimes all you can do is just breathe. Peace be the journey.
ReplyDelete- Jenny, diagnosed with thyroid cancer July 2009
Thanks for sharing your quote, Jenny. I will remember it!
ReplyDelete