Survivorship: How is it going?

I've been dealing with a blood cancer ("ET" essential thrombocythemia) for almost 6 years now, with daily chemo medication. Last year I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Had 2 surgeries and radiation, and just had my first surveillance appointment a few weeks ago. I haven't told many people, family of course, and a few friends, but not everyone. Only on "a need to know" basis. I think since I didn't die right away my family (lives 3,000 miles away), think it's all over.....but it is a daily reminder when I take my chemo pills every night. And take pain med for my bone pain at night when pain is worst. Until 6 years ago, I never took any medication for any problems. Just Vit D and B12 that my primary recommended. As Bette Davis said "Getting old ain't for sissies"
I agree it's good to share experiences and thoughts. Keep coming back.

i thought it was over, was looking forward, and tbh rather pissed when it came back...i was trying to move on...now i'm back on the chemo, it is working and looking forward to starting my "after cancer surveillance" in a few months again... how will i deal with it? idk...but one thing that i've found irritates the dickens out of me... the one comment people make... " you don't look like you're sick or ever been through that" .... i KNOW they mean well but to me (and i may be overly sensitive because of this) that its like they don't believe me and i'm making it up... i think the mental part is the hardest about surviving...dealing with the well wishers, the fear it may come back and the feeling of being alone because people fall into 2 groups 1) no one wants to talk about your fears or 2) they don't want to let you move forward and try to live your life normally.. its like for me there's no in between...oh and lets not forget all the listening to EVERYONE's "my xxx had cancer" and this is what happened to them...even if it doesn't relate to your cancer at all.....
idk if this is particularly what you were asking but i survived thyroid cancer 13 years ago, then came through the ovarian in 2024 before going back on chemo this year from it reoccurring but its just my thoughts on it...

@mommacandy This is why, like @1995victoria I told very few people about my first diagnosis of endometrial cancer in 2019 and later the recurrence in 2021. I told my family and my close friends. But no one else. I did not want to hear any one else’s stories about “oh, my best friend had cancer” and this is what happened to them. Not all cancers are the same even if the same organ is involved. For instance, there are different types of endometrial cancer and different stages. I also didn’t want any empty best wishes out of some sort of misguided obligation. Harsh, I know, because ultimately many people mean well. I really believe that. This is not a disease that is “one and done, all better now”.

I live in a small neighborhood. I did not tell my neighbors directly about my cancer diagnosis. But I did tell a few and “word” got around. That’s OK because I know all of my neighbors and two of us were being treated at the same time for different kinds of cancer. One of my neighbors asked me if she could give me a hug. I knew her hug was heartfelt and that hug was so meaningful to me.

So here at Mayo Clinic Connect I am among people who “get it”. I am so very grateful for finding this website shortly after my diagnosis. I am also grateful for having medical providers who have treated me and followed me over these years.

I totally know what you mean when you hear silly comments about how you look!! After such silly statements I freeze with surprise. It’s only later that I come up with sarcastic retorts that I wish I had the guts to say. 😆

@naturegirl5 Your comment confirms my belief about how important these spaces with folks who "get it" are. If not for them, we often only have people offering well-meaning but sometimes inappropriate and/or unhelpful comments, simply to assuage their own discomfort. I get it, I do: but that's what makes this space and others so essential for our healing.

@ffr wanna share the sarcastic comments? i'm known for my sarcastic shirts etc even wearing one to the doctor's office right after i called them and demanded a CT scan (which they did to "shut me up" and it proved i was right) that said "I may be wrong but i really doubt it" ... my brain fog doesn't let me think of them off the cuff these days...and believe me i need some new good ones... I have one shirt that says "zero days without sarcasm" another that says "I didn't mean to offend you, that was just a bonus", and many many more... (one with a guy at a news desk saying "Breaking news, you're an idiot", another that says "if you can't deal with my sarcasm don't speak to me" well you get the idea)