3 types of cancer, how do I not live in fear?
I had Hodgkin's Lymphoma 23 years ago. Was successfully treated with radiation therapy +surgery. 10years later they confirmed I had what is now considered an overdose of radiation (standard amount a...
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Hi @Delos, I’ve only just caught up with your post. I’m a fellow traveller on the multiple cancer road. I was treated with chemotherapy and radiation for neuroblastoma as a six month old; 44 years later (in 2017), along came breast cancer.
The side effects of my original treatment were stunted growth and severe spinal/chest deformity with related mobility problems. I was told breast cancer was a risk but was fairly blasé about it. After my recent diagnosis, I’ve started attending a long term follow up clinic for cancer survivors, which will monitor my health alongside breast surgeon, oncologist etc. The radiation oncologist I met at my first visit to the clinic said that breast cancer wasn’t a direct result of my childhood treatment but probably triggered cancer I would have got in 20 years’ time anyway.
One of the best things I did during my treatment was to see a psychologist for the first time. No surprise that I needed some emotional support for my new diagnosis but it also helped me deal with the trauma of my childhood experiences.
I’m a positive person despite everything and there’s no doubt that illness and disability have left me pretty bulletproof. I live on my own, have a well paying full-time job and find joy in the every day.
Like most here I live with the possibility of recurrence and whatever new cancer might pop up in the future (we are quite a cancer-y family!). I’m doing everything I can to stay well and control the risks through diet and exercise but also feeding my soul through travel and new cultural experiences.
I’m not able to offer you any answers to your worry, stress and anger but hopefully my story can show there’s a fine life to be lived beyond the fear and pain. I wish you the very best in all things, good health and happiness.
Dogstarx
The side effects of my original treatment were stunted growth and severe spinal/chest deformity with related mobility problems. I was told breast cancer was a risk but was fairly blasé about it. After my recent diagnosis, I’ve started attending a long term follow up clinic for cancer survivors, which will monitor my health alongside breast surgeon, oncologist etc. The radiation oncologist I met at my first visit to the clinic said that breast cancer wasn’t a direct result of my childhood treatment but probably triggered cancer I would have got in 20 years’ time anyway.
One of the best things I did during my treatment was to see a psychologist for the first time. No surprise that I needed some emotional support for my new diagnosis but it also helped me deal with the trauma of my childhood experiences.
I’m a positive person despite everything and there’s no doubt that illness and disability have left me pretty bulletproof. I live on my own, have a well paying full-time job and find joy in the every day.
Like most here I live with the possibility of recurrence and whatever new cancer might pop up in the future (we are quite a cancer-y family!). I’m doing everything I can to stay well and control the risks through diet and exercise but also feeding my soul through travel and new cultural experiences.
I’m not able to offer you any answers to your worry, stress and anger but hopefully my story can show there’s a fine life to be lived beyond the fear and pain. I wish you the very best in all things, good health and happiness.
Dogstarx