Cancer Perceptions
This is a blog post was started a few years ago and put on the back burner. Enjoy.
Written on July 31, 2017
The two photos at the top were taken two years ago while I was resting in bed recovering from a chemo session with my daytime caregiver and my evening caregiver. The photo at the bottom, which was one year later, was taken at the Calvert Marine Museum. I thought I was "getting stronger every day" and I did seem to be improving. My hair was growing back. I had more energy and stamina. Heck, to not deal with the parking, we walked from the Holiday Inn to the concert. We weren't alone in that, lots of people did. I wouldn't be able to do that today. These days, I walk with a cane. It helps me keep my balance. When I started using it, I got lots of surprised looks and questions about it from family and friends. I had been improving. Treatment was over. Did I have a relapse? Was the cancer back?
When I was diagnosed with cancer, I had the perception that I was going to die soon. I'm still here.
I had always thought "diagnose/treat/back to normal". More on that below.
When I was done with chemo, I thought, even though I wouldn't be "back to normal", I would adjust to a "new normal". I'm finding that normal changes every day.
Below are some common perceptions that we have about cancer, and the real story.
Perception: Diagnosis, chemo/surgery/radiation, done and back to normal.
Reality: There is no "back to normal". We just keep adjusting as our symptoms and medicinal side effects change.
Perception: A Stage IV diagnosis means imminent death.
Reality: People can live for a long time with a Stage IV diagnosis. I know one woman in particular who has lived with a Stage IV diagnosis for over twenty years.
Perception: You don't look sick.
Reality: I may look well, but I'm have a terminal illness and I feel like crap. I may not look sick, but I are sick -- I am slowly dying.
Comments
Post a Comment