Cancer Survivor Shout-Out

CaptainAustrali
Super Contributor

Cancer Survivor Shout-Out

I have massive sympathy for anyone who's just been diagnosed with cancer.  It's such an insidious, crawling thing, the way it contaminates every aspect of your life.  I think the worst past is THE NOT KNOWING, when you first get the hard word you have no idea how serious it is, if you have a chance, what will happen, who will take care of your kids, all that stuff.

 

I know that people get the disease, and they do not survive.  

 

I thought it might be nice to have a post here where survivors drop in their stats a simple format, so that people newly diagnosed can find folks with similar profiles who have gotten through it ?

My suggestion (if you're willing to share) would be to just post a reply in this format:

 

My type of cancer:  <clinical detail>

My prognosis:  <a line about the severity and initial doctors remarks>

My survival time:  <how long since diagnosis is it, and what are my prospects for continued survival>

My word of advice:  <a line sharing your whatever hard-earned piece of wisdom you feel is most important>

 

I'll start, if you're a survivor haunting the forums, can I urge you to dig in as well ?

 

LATER EDIT:  as a survivor, my intention was to reach out to people newly diagnosed, distressed as I was, scared as I was, and show them that they are still in a chance, and that they should find hope and use that to empower their fight.  But as folks have come here and posted their stories, I feel that feeling .. you know it ... that rippling of the skin on the back of your neck ..  I feel inspired.  People who were diagnosed as TERMINALLY ILL, and who have gone on to live a couple more decades and counting.   When I was diagnosed, I thought my death was imminent, and I'm still kicking.  Thing is, as a survivor, the hope that I carried through treatment has morphed into some kind of loose acceptance -- reading some of these people's stories I feel my own hope rekindle, and realise that I have every chance of sticking around for a few more decades myself.  If you're someone newly diagnosed, I hope you can find that spark of hope inside yourself, and protect and preserve it as you fight this crappy disease.

34 REPLIES 34
CaptainAustrali
Super Contributor

Re: Cancer Survivor Shout-Out

My type of cancer:  Stage 4 tonsillar cancer, locally advanced to 2 lymph nodes

My prognosis:  without successful treatment, 6 months to live

My survival time:  coming up on the 3 year mark, cancer free and hopeful of living another 20years +

My word of advice:  preserve your hope and mental health - don't invest time in negatives & quack cures, don't be intimitated and trust your doctors, own your disease, own your cure

Scottdjones
Occasional Contributor

Re: Cancer Survivor Shout-Out

I was diagnosed with 2 Grade 2(malignant) oligoastrocytoma brain tumours back in 2006. Both inoperable so I decided on radiation and chemotherapy. The initial estimate of life was 5 years. That was 13 years ago and I am still here. Tried a lot of complementary therapies along the way. Chinese herbs, apricot kernels, meditation, high dose Vit D3  etc.. etc..  I am in good health both mentally and physically with no seizures. Happy to answer any questions posed. I have worked full time since initial radiation treatment. 54 now and just having annual MRI and blood tests now. 

Wayne308
New Contributor

Re: Cancer Survivor Shout-Out

My type of cancer:  Penile 

My prognosis:  Stage 3, full penectonmy and bilateral node disecction of groin and pelvic nodes.

My survival time:  June 2014, and nearly at my 5 year window, so hopefully in July I will get released from treatment and monitoring 

My word of advice:  Always make sure that the specialist you are seeing knows what they are looking for and talking about and if not seek a second opinion, make sure that the diagnosis in timely and correct.

 

Marcus
Occasional Contributor

Re: Cancer Survivor Shout-Out

Hi. 

Non Hodkins Lymphoma- large cell

The size of a  Football wrapped around my Aorta about to cut the blood supply to my Heart, given 2weeks to live without treatment

Diagnosed in February 2006. All clear in May 2007. 12 years Cancer free 

Reachout for help when required and 

Don’t sweat the small stuff. (Easier said than done ) 

 

JJ42
Occasional Contributor

Re: Cancer Survivor Shout-Out

My type of cancer:  Breast cancer - DCIS plus Grade 2 tumour, Stage 3. Lumpectomy followed by radical mastectomy then chemotherapy.

 

My prognosis:  My oncologist was optimistic, but I found it hard to believe him when only just over 60% of women survived breast cancer for more than 5 years at the time I was diagnosed.

 

My survival time:  I'm in my 25th year of survival and while I rarely think about it, I am not oblivious to the fact that I can never be absolutely certain that it won't come back.  Look at Olivia Newton-John! 

 

My word of advice: Never minimise how you feel during your treatment and after treatment finishes.  Find yourself a support group that allows you to be as big a mess as you need to be. By being able to be real with others who've been there and really get it, you don't have to worry your nearest and dearest with your fears, but you do need to have a safe place to express them where no one will try to 'fix it' for you. In Sydney the Life Forcer Cancer Foundation runs weekly support groups for people dealing with the emotional impact of any cancer diagnosis. I credit my Life Force support group with saving my life! 

kj
Super Contributor

Re: Cancer Survivor Shout-Out

Type of Cancer Pancreatic tumor  in head of pancreas.

 

Prognosis Had surgery then during chemo I was told I was terminal ,chemo  was ended early because my body could not take anymore.

 

Survival time Diagnosed 2010 into ninth year of survival,with yearly check ups.

 

I still take it one day at a time.and enjoy life

crazzychris
New Contributor

Re: Cancer Survivor Shout-Out

Diagnosed in 1986 with Hodgkins Lymphoma Stage 3.  Treatment chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A very curable cancer.  33 years in remission. 

2011 Breast Cancer Stage 1 mastectomy most likely caused by radiotherapy in 1986 Good prognosis  Remission 8 years

2012 Breast Cancer Stage 1 mastectomy Good prognosis Remission 7 years 

2017 Bowel Cancer Stage 2  Surgery  80%  chance of return Remission 18 months

 

You can’t change it, so you have to accept it. 

 

 

 

Ron50
Contributor

Re: Cancer Survivor Shout-Out

Cancer stage 3c into six nodes

  Prognosis. With treatment three years maximun.Highly aggressive.

Survival time 21 years and 4 months.

Surviving survival is not easy, I had to be my own advocate and make sure that all long term surveilance was adheared to. Stay vigilant and survive.

Ron50
Contributor

Re: Cancer Survivor Shout-Out

Cancer stage 3c into six nodes (colon cancer)

  Prognosis. With treatment three years maximun.Highly aggressive.

Survival time 21 years and 4 months.

Surviving survival is not easy, I had to be my own advocate and make sure that all long term surveilance was adheared to. Stay vigilant and survive.

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