Hi everyone, I just got myself quite upset and worked up and feeling the need to vent. I'm usually quite good at judging things impartially, but in this case I don't trust myself - I could just be looking at things from a skewed perspective BUT I'm feeling really under-represented as a Stage IV cancer patient. Those with Stage IV do not have much time left - this is an emergency! We have no cure! We need it NOW! I'm usually very positive and grateful. Here is me dropping the bundle. Sorry everyone. I know that support is important. Early detection is important. Awareness is important. Every cancer patient is very important and every one of their needs are very important. But none of those things are going to save my life now (yes early detection could have but it didn't). My life. Not my quality of life. Not my self esteem, not finances, my relationships. All those things are precious and fragile but they can be rebuilt. Its hard and it takes years. And I won't get the opportunity. This has been brewing for a while now, and this afternoon I read a comment that had no harm intended - in fact it was intended to support survivors - which is a wonderful and important thing, but for me it turned out to be the straw on the happy-positive-grateful-camels back. My theory is Stage IV is much more confronting so people are scared to tackle it. And that Stage IV patients need more advocates, and they themselves are kinda busy. At the moment I'm seeing lots of work towards awareness, early detection, support through treatment, moving forward after treatment, and remembering those we've lost too soon. And not nearly enough being done to turn Stage IV into a survivable disease. I know some things are being done but it seems like far too little to me. My other theory is that I'm being selfish. That because my cancer is Stage IV I think that should be treated with higher priority, and don't feel what is being done is enough. I just tried to call the cancer council to see if they could send me some info focused on Stage IV patients/treatment/etc but they are after hours. I'm writing this with some regret. I shouldn't rant online. It is selfish and unhelpful and given that I've written it in an unedited stream of consciousness I may have said some stupid hurtful things. And yet I think I'm still going to hit 'post'? I could just delete it and go watch the sunset and hug my husband. That's probably what I should do. But I've been so mad I can hardly think straight, and perhaps part of the problem is that I haven't been admitting to others I've been having these selfish thoughts. So here it goes - I'm putting it out there. I fully encourage you to pull me up, educate me or just call me a selfish dickhead if you like.
7 Comments
little_stitcher
Super Contributor
Hi FW, I read your post and don't think you sound selfish or negative at all. What you're expressing is perfectly reasonable, and I reckon there are lots of people with stage IV cancer who feel exactly the same way you do. I'm glad you vented here, because that's exactly what this forum is for. Sending love and cyber hugs, Emily
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FW
Not applicable
Thanks Emily, appreciate it 🙂
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kj
Super Contributor
I agree with Emily and you definitely have valid points regards stage 1V certainly not a selfish post.
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FW
Not applicable
Thank you
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Jules2
Super Contributor
Any cancer diagnosis is scary. Stage IV does not always mean terminal but I get where you are coming from. I had a stage IV cancer and it was my 2nd cancer. Just recently been diagnosed with a 3rd tye of cancer and waiting for specialist etc... Here we go again! Hope you are feeling better after unloading. Julie xx
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FW
Not applicable
Thanks Julie, I think it did make me feel a little better. And people like yourself have alleviated me of the guilt I was feeling for doing so. So sorry to hear about your diagnoses - to say that is rough just doesn't cover it - I will be thinking of you and hoping for a successful treatment. You're right re. stage IV not always being terminal, but to me, still relatively new to this game I guess, feel the definitions of terminal and long term survival are pretty grim anyway. I have bowel cancer. People live for an average of 2 years after diagnosis. This is not classed as terminal, but it feels pretty close to the mark to me. Long term survival as I reckon you already know is considered to be 5 years. I truly am grateful for every day I get, but I can't get my head around 5 years being long term. I wanted another 50 years. Thanks again for your support - a incredible gift considering what you are going through yourself. All the best xxx
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Jules2
Super Contributor
Not offering false hope but my first cancer I wsd told I might only have a month to live ... going on 28 years since then xx
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