What was your reaction when you learned that you or a loved one had cancer?
We all respond in different ways. Please feel free to share your story. Respond
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9 Responses to “What was your reaction when you learned that you or a loved one had cancer?”
My response to my diagnosis was……”this presents quite a challenge and an opportunity for me”. The journey has been just that but I have learned so much about myself and others through those new set of eyes, eyes of hope, peace and wisdom.
Today is April 3. Yesterday, i got a phone call from my mother, she said that she had some bad news. My brother, Derek, has Malignant Malinoma Cancer. It was very devastating to me. I am SCARED and don’t know how to handle this at all. He makes jokes about it, and I can’t understand why. I know people deal with things differently, but why isn’t he taking this seriously? How do I stay strong for my family and how can I help my brother?
I am a five time cancer survivor and I have MS. When I found out I had cancer, I was 31 years old and 3 months later I was diagnosed with MS. Both were equally devastating, but the cancer was overwhelming. On February 20th, 1996, I had surgery to have a double mastectomy, and I subsequently had cervical, uterine, ovarian and vaginal cancer. the chemo and radiation was rough and I was all alone during all of this. Because of pride, I sent my children to live with my parents’ in Miami while I dealt with the storm. I lost everything, not financially, but emotionally and physically. First of course comes the hair, which isn’t so bad. But then came the teeth. I was lucky enough that I could get dentures and now I’m saving for implants! The hair has grown back, but I keep it short and before I close. I am a motivational speaker for MS and newly diagnosed cancer patients. My faith in God and organizations like yours help people like me thankful that someone cares.
I just found out I have Uterine cancer on April 2nd 2010. I am still a bit in shock, but grateful because they said they believe found it early in the very early stages. The doctor told me it was because I was so aggressive in insisting on I being given a C125 test(it came back with an elevated count more than once) and insisting on further testing (endometrial biopsy )be done that day that they caught it this early. He was surprise at the results and admitted to me if I had not been so aggressive he probably would not have done the Biopsy and would have sent me home not realizing I had cancer…there were many unusual events that took place unrelated to me directly that led up to me being at the doctors and be aggressive about requesting test…all I can say is Gods hands are all over this one.
My mom passed away in 2005 from Ovarian and Uterine Cancer that was not caught until she was in stage 4…she went into the Doctors several time saying she feared she had cancer but was never given a CA125 test and unfortunately we never knew about the test being available, she just kept getting sent home.
I had my CT done on 4/7 and see the Oncologist this morning to get a better picture of were I really am…your prayer would be appreciated, because I am a big believer in the power of prayer.
Woman…be proactive and aggressive in taking care of yourselves…I know the CA125 test is poo poo’d because it can give a false positive…but even those can at least let you know you may have fibroid Tumors which is what usually causes a false positive(which by the way as a women, I wouldn’t call the a false positive) but I feel like it as well as an edometrial biopsy(as simply done as a Pap smear) and Transvaginal ultrasound is all we have right now to be given at least a fighting chance of catching these cancer early, and we have to fight to get them done…don’t let your Doctor poo poo your concerns…fight for your life. My first set of CA125′s almost 5 years ago let me know I had Fibroid tumors…if you have them insist the Doctor follow them…I was not told they are ALMOST never cancerous, I was told they are always benign and not to worry…if there is just a 1% chance they can be cancerous or become cancerous or grow to be the size of small volley balls(like is my friend’s case) don’t we have right to be told that?…especially when they can be removed…so I am still fearful one of them may be much larger now, or even cancerous, so this morning I guess I will find out.
God bless you all…my prayers are with you all….and thank you Mr Dempsey for caring about the plight of women and these horrible and difficult cancer to catch early. especially when we have some Doctors out there unwilling to provide us with the only tools we have to at least give us a shot at detecting it early…I am thankful this last Doctor LISTENED to my gut instead of his own…at least I have a chance now
To my friends and family (especially Maryke and Jen),
I have always been the caregiver, I am a mom and also a get up and go woman. I have had relatives including my dad who struggled through as well as losing their battles to cancer. I have always taken on the role of holding everyone together in order to minimize their suffering and help them along in whatever they needed.
As I learned that it was my turn to hear the “Cancer Diagnosis” I at first went numb. I did not have that take charge, take care attitude. I began to research and attempt to learn what was happening to my body, after all the previous year, I acheived getting into the best shape my body had been in for a long while. But, cancer…….. I was 49, much to young……….! Then, it hit me, protection mode and supporting those in my family that would think the worst. Put on my happy face and state that this was merely a bump in the road. At night however, my doubts would creep back in and I would often think, am I capable of handling it? Can I support my loved ones with a can do attitude? I believe that is normal, but it is a true survivor that never lets doubt rule. Never let fear creep into you or your loved ones. If you can not find it within yourself……… surround yourself with positive thinkers, as well as positive inspiration.
Yes, I am my own best cheerleader and my family is the stadium full of cheering fans. We have and will continue to get through this! Cancer didn’t have me…….. I had cancer and I have won! Please feel free to visit the website dempseychallenge.org under Profiles in Inspiration and see through my daughters own words how our family can make that red rover chain and not let doubt through. I am truly blessed and never plan on losing faith in family during crisis….. never give up! Don’t let doubt rule your life, even if the diagnosis is troubling. Life is worth living…….. so dog gone it, live it!
I am only 16 years old but i found out that my grandmother had cancer two weeks before i turned 16. I was heart broken. She had it my Freshman and now my Sopohmore year too. At my 16th b day party my grandma gave a stuff snoopy and wrote I love you on it. I wanted to start crying but didnt. I pray and hope that she makes it.
If you have time, please read my daughter’s thoughts on a grandparents diagnosis and illness under profiles of inspiration at http://www.dempseychallenge.org. You may get some of the same feelings and understanding from her. My prayers are with you and your family.
My stepmother was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer 7 years ago. She lost her battle after 4 long years. She went into remission after the first go round, but it came back with a vengeance. My first thought was oh my god, why her? My second was what about my dad? After that, I had no more time to think about what this was or why, only how do I help her win the fight. After a short hospital stay for complications at the end of the four years, she came home on hospice care and informed us she had decided to cease treament. She died within the week. Again, why her? and again what about dad? I am so encouraged by what we’ve done with the pink ribbon campaign, can you imagine what we’ll be able to do for ovarian cancer? The people that helped the most emotionally were the people who treated her cancer, her oncologist, her oncology clinic and her hospice caregivers.
When my mother told me at the end of October, 2009 that she had Breast Cancer I was totally shocked. I told her you’re joking? She was not joking. Luckily it was caught in the very beginning of Stage 1. She had a Lumpectomy and Radiation Treatment. She has been cancer free for about 5 months now.
March 29th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
My response to my diagnosis was……”this presents quite a challenge and an opportunity for me”. The journey has been just that but I have learned so much about myself and others through those new set of eyes, eyes of hope, peace and wisdom.
April 3rd, 2010 at 11:30 am
Today is April 3. Yesterday, i got a phone call from my mother, she said that she had some bad news. My brother, Derek, has Malignant Malinoma Cancer. It was very devastating to me. I am SCARED and don’t know how to handle this at all. He makes jokes about it, and I can’t understand why. I know people deal with things differently, but why isn’t he taking this seriously? How do I stay strong for my family and how can I help my brother?
April 5th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Dear Mr. Dempsey,
I am a five time cancer survivor and I have MS. When I found out I had cancer, I was 31 years old and 3 months later I was diagnosed with MS. Both were equally devastating, but the cancer was overwhelming. On February 20th, 1996, I had surgery to have a double mastectomy, and I subsequently had cervical, uterine, ovarian and vaginal cancer. the chemo and radiation was rough and I was all alone during all of this. Because of pride, I sent my children to live with my parents’ in Miami while I dealt with the storm. I lost everything, not financially, but emotionally and physically. First of course comes the hair, which isn’t so bad. But then came the teeth. I was lucky enough that I could get dentures and now I’m saving for implants! The hair has grown back, but I keep it short and before I close. I am a motivational speaker for MS and newly diagnosed cancer patients. My faith in God and organizations like yours help people like me thankful that someone cares.
Rosy Calvin
Henderson, Nevada
rosycalvin@yahoo.com
April 9th, 2010 at 9:06 am
I just found out I have Uterine cancer on April 2nd 2010. I am still a bit in shock, but grateful because they said they believe found it early in the very early stages. The doctor told me it was because I was so aggressive in insisting on I being given a C125 test(it came back with an elevated count more than once) and insisting on further testing (endometrial biopsy )be done that day that they caught it this early. He was surprise at the results and admitted to me if I had not been so aggressive he probably would not have done the Biopsy and would have sent me home not realizing I had cancer…there were many unusual events that took place unrelated to me directly that led up to me being at the doctors and be aggressive about requesting test…all I can say is Gods hands are all over this one.
My mom passed away in 2005 from Ovarian and Uterine Cancer that was not caught until she was in stage 4…she went into the Doctors several time saying she feared she had cancer but was never given a CA125 test and unfortunately we never knew about the test being available, she just kept getting sent home.
I had my CT done on 4/7 and see the Oncologist this morning to get a better picture of were I really am…your prayer would be appreciated, because I am a big believer in the power of prayer.
Woman…be proactive and aggressive in taking care of yourselves…I know the CA125 test is poo poo’d because it can give a false positive…but even those can at least let you know you may have fibroid Tumors which is what usually causes a false positive(which by the way as a women, I wouldn’t call the a false positive) but I feel like it as well as an edometrial biopsy(as simply done as a Pap smear) and Transvaginal ultrasound is all we have right now to be given at least a fighting chance of catching these cancer early, and we have to fight to get them done…don’t let your Doctor poo poo your concerns…fight for your life. My first set of CA125′s almost 5 years ago let me know I had Fibroid tumors…if you have them insist the Doctor follow them…I was not told they are ALMOST never cancerous, I was told they are always benign and not to worry…if there is just a 1% chance they can be cancerous or become cancerous or grow to be the size of small volley balls(like is my friend’s case) don’t we have right to be told that?…especially when they can be removed…so I am still fearful one of them may be much larger now, or even cancerous, so this morning I guess I will find out.
God bless you all…my prayers are with you all….and thank you Mr Dempsey for caring about the plight of women and these horrible and difficult cancer to catch early. especially when we have some Doctors out there unwilling to provide us with the only tools we have to at least give us a shot at detecting it early…I am thankful this last Doctor LISTENED to my gut instead of his own…at least I have a chance now
April 18th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
To my friends and family (especially Maryke and Jen),
I have always been the caregiver, I am a mom and also a get up and go woman. I have had relatives including my dad who struggled through as well as losing their battles to cancer. I have always taken on the role of holding everyone together in order to minimize their suffering and help them along in whatever they needed.
As I learned that it was my turn to hear the “Cancer Diagnosis” I at first went numb. I did not have that take charge, take care attitude. I began to research and attempt to learn what was happening to my body, after all the previous year, I acheived getting into the best shape my body had been in for a long while. But, cancer…….. I was 49, much to young……….! Then, it hit me, protection mode and supporting those in my family that would think the worst. Put on my happy face and state that this was merely a bump in the road. At night however, my doubts would creep back in and I would often think, am I capable of handling it? Can I support my loved ones with a can do attitude? I believe that is normal, but it is a true survivor that never lets doubt rule. Never let fear creep into you or your loved ones. If you can not find it within yourself……… surround yourself with positive thinkers, as well as positive inspiration.
Yes, I am my own best cheerleader and my family is the stadium full of cheering fans. We have and will continue to get through this! Cancer didn’t have me…….. I had cancer and I have won! Please feel free to visit the website dempseychallenge.org under Profiles in Inspiration and see through my daughters own words how our family can make that red rover chain and not let doubt through. I am truly blessed and never plan on losing faith in family during crisis….. never give up! Don’t let doubt rule your life, even if the diagnosis is troubling. Life is worth living…….. so dog gone it, live it!
May 8th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I am only 16 years old but i found out that my grandmother had cancer two weeks before i turned 16. I was heart broken. She had it my Freshman and now my Sopohmore year too. At my 16th b day party my grandma gave a stuff snoopy and wrote I love you on it. I wanted to start crying but didnt. I pray and hope that she makes it.
May 18th, 2010 at 8:17 am
If you have time, please read my daughter’s thoughts on a grandparents diagnosis and illness under profiles of inspiration at http://www.dempseychallenge.org. You may get some of the same feelings and understanding from her. My prayers are with you and your family.
Diane
June 10th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
My stepmother was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer 7 years ago. She lost her battle after 4 long years. She went into remission after the first go round, but it came back with a vengeance. My first thought was oh my god, why her? My second was what about my dad? After that, I had no more time to think about what this was or why, only how do I help her win the fight. After a short hospital stay for complications at the end of the four years, she came home on hospice care and informed us she had decided to cease treament. She died within the week. Again, why her? and again what about dad? I am so encouraged by what we’ve done with the pink ribbon campaign, can you imagine what we’ll be able to do for ovarian cancer? The people that helped the most emotionally were the people who treated her cancer, her oncologist, her oncology clinic and her hospice caregivers.
July 8th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
When my mother told me at the end of October, 2009 that she had Breast Cancer I was totally shocked. I told her you’re joking? She was not joking. Luckily it was caught in the very beginning of Stage 1. She had a Lumpectomy and Radiation Treatment. She has been cancer free for about 5 months now.