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What does the word Cancer mean? Is it just a simple word?

Posted by Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb, Feb 28, 2019

When I was first diagnosed with lung cancer I found it very hard to identify with the word, never mind the illness it represented. Back in 1997 my prognosis was less than 15% survival, so then it meant death. After 22 years and more lung cancers that I have survived it's just a word cancer- such a plain word- doesn't really mean what it did to me. Cancer is complicated, its a journey, an experience, war, battle, ...fight, etc. What it means to me is being truthful, and genuine, trustworthy and completely honest. I don't have room in my life for even the slightest fib. Cancer is also life for me, because, damn, I'm still here!
What does it mean to you?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 2, 2019
In reply to @marylou705 "My balance is improving. I’m just so scared to fall again because I have osteoporosis. I..." + (show)
@marylou705

My balance is improving. I’m just so scared to fall again because I have osteoporosis. I am a retired Physical Therapist so I am a very cooperative patient! I stay to the bitter end then insurance throws me out! I see my Oncologist after each scan. I like her very much. I am in Colorado and am experiencing excellent care.

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@marylou705- Good morning! I don't blame you for being afraid of falling. I too have osteoporosis and cannot take any of the pills and I refuse to have shots. But I have fallen and it's not fun recovering. My son lived in CO for a time. I love it there, Estes park is great and all the old mining towns. And the shopping in Boulder!!
I see my doctors after each scan too. It's so important to have a good relationship with your doctors. Don't you think? Trust is a big thing!

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mepowers | @mepowers | Mar 4, 2019

What a powerful post about what does the word cancer mean to you by @merpreb. I know it means something different to me today than it did before having cancer. First, I now think of it as an umbrella disease as there are so many different types of cancer. None of them good, but some much more severe than others. I think the words that come to mind are strength and fortitude. A person doesn’t know what they have in them until they are tested. I learned a lot about myself and those around me. The survival part is not only getting rid of the cancer but surviving the treatment and all the emotions that go with it. You have to learn to for go some independence and accept help and maybe even ask for help. It’s also about gratitude. Everyday, I wake up feeling grateful for the day and notice so many things around me. If ever I don’t feel like doing something, I tell myself that it’s better than being in a hospital bed hooked up to an IV with Chemo running through my veins. Put one foot in front of the other and power through.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 4, 2019
In reply to @mepowers "What a powerful post about what does the word cancer mean to you by @merpreb. I..." + (show)
@mepowers

What a powerful post about what does the word cancer mean to you by @merpreb. I know it means something different to me today than it did before having cancer. First, I now think of it as an umbrella disease as there are so many different types of cancer. None of them good, but some much more severe than others. I think the words that come to mind are strength and fortitude. A person doesn’t know what they have in them until they are tested. I learned a lot about myself and those around me. The survival part is not only getting rid of the cancer but surviving the treatment and all the emotions that go with it. You have to learn to for go some independence and accept help and maybe even ask for help. It’s also about gratitude. Everyday, I wake up feeling grateful for the day and notice so many things around me. If ever I don’t feel like doing something, I tell myself that it’s better than being in a hospital bed hooked up to an IV with Chemo running through my veins. Put one foot in front of the other and power through.

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@mepowers- Good morning. I am so glad that you are doing so well! You give us all hope! You have zeroed in on just what I was trying to say! Learning and patience is what we need, but it's very difficult when someone is going to open you up or zap you with some unknown space particle!

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 5, 2019

@merpreb You have asked what the word cancer means to me. I had cervical cancer in 1996 plus two types of skin cancer including squamous and malignant melanoma in 2008. Cancer is the body rebelling against itself and creating abnormal cells. That seems to be my own personal history. My body has offered me several different autoimmune conditions and my body fights against itself. Just like my mind fights against itself. Cancers seem to be a manifestation of deeper things within me, battles that I wage physically, emotionally and mentally to survive and get through. What does it mean to me? It means that I am fighting everyday and that I am worth fighting it. I am a strong person and that I can get through this in spite of what the doctors say. I take each day with gratitude.
Ginger

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alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Mar 5, 2019
In reply to @alamogal635 ". @merpreb I was diagnosed in early February with Stage 1 Adenocarcinoma in my lower righting...." + (show)
@alamogal635

. @merpreb I was diagnosed in early February with Stage 1 Adenocarcinoma in my lower righting. As to what it means to me right now is and interesting and complex concept. The work "cancer" in and of itself was at first frightening, but as I've been tested, probed, prodded and prepped for surgery on March 6, it has become something that I want to eradicate withe a vengeance and I am determined to fight this thing no matter what. This is my current conception of such and as I read more about lung cancer it seems that it stands a good chance of recurring. I will do what I can for myself and trust in my God to guide me. I have learned to take each day as it comes, and do all I can to keep an optimistic attitude going. Am not 100% great at this optimistic attitude, but we are all works in progress. Fortunately in these times, there is so much more available in treatments targeted for the individual. that hope can be greatly increased That little carcinoma nodule in me is something that I want out fo my lung and gone. It also is interesting that until I was at pre-op testings yesterday that I didn't think of myself as someone who has lung cancer. That was denial. I have lung cancer even though it has been caught early. That realization with what is the truth of the diagnosis ties into your thoughts about living the truth. I think you are spot-on about living a valid life that accepts the truth of life and where we are in this present time. I don't feel ill, but who knows what is down the road. Thus, I am learning more and more to enjoy each day and every moment for what life gives and deal honestly with my feelings and with others. Don't know if that helps, but that's kind of where I am at present. You are an inspiration to me with your years of dealing with this insidious disease. I will continue to keep you in my prayers and thoughts.

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Tomorrow early--7:00 a.m. is the surgery. I've been eating the posts, but truly didn't have much to add. I stay amazed and proud of all of you who post here. What a brave bunch of people we are., I am much more calm now than I was--have a great medical team and after care group at our hospital. This kind fo surgery is their specialty and we are connected with MD Anderson. Stopped reading posts on other sites about nerve damage post operation as well as on-going pain post surgery. Anyway, I will be back when I can write. Want you all to know that you are in my prayers. We can and will beat this horrid thing.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 5, 2019
In reply to @alamogal635 "Tomorrow early--7:00 a.m. is the surgery. I've been eating the posts, but truly didn't have much..." + (show)
@alamogal635

Tomorrow early--7:00 a.m. is the surgery. I've been eating the posts, but truly didn't have much to add. I stay amazed and proud of all of you who post here. What a brave bunch of people we are., I am much more calm now than I was--have a great medical team and after care group at our hospital. This kind fo surgery is their specialty and we are connected with MD Anderson. Stopped reading posts on other sites about nerve damage post operation as well as on-going pain post surgery. Anyway, I will be back when I can write. Want you all to know that you are in my prayers. We can and will beat this horrid thing.

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@alamagal635- I have you on my "post List" and was going to contact you a bit later in the day. I wish you the best of the best. I'm sure that you will do great. I know that today is scary so some deep breathing. Imagine yourself on a hot day in the tropics with a gorgeous man dropping grapes in your mouth while he's carrying you into the water! ahhhh. The ocean is always calming for me.

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alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Mar 5, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@alamagal635- I have you on my "post List" and was going to contact you a bit..." + (show)
@merpreb

@alamagal635- I have you on my "post List" and was going to contact you a bit later in the day. I wish you the best of the best. I'm sure that you will do great. I know that today is scary so some deep breathing. Imagine yourself on a hot day in the tropics with a gorgeous man dropping grapes in your mouth while he's carrying you into the water! ahhhh. The ocean is always calming for me.

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Thank you! I, too, love the sea. I will picture Sam Elliot feeding me grapes and then caring me into the clean blue and warm waters of the sea. Also the deep breathing works. Strangely, not as nervous as I have been. Got my stuff packed and am ready to go.The nasty cancer will be gone by this time tomorrow!. Hooray.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 6, 2019

@alamogal635- I'm with you today! I'll be sitting on your shoulder, giving it a squeeze as you need it.

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alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Mar 6, 2019

@merpreb,Thank you so much for the kind words. I washed in Hibicleans 2xs, dressed, packed and am ready to leave in about a half hour.. Know I think of you and all the others on this site and keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Will be back in touch in a while to let you know the outcome. Thank you again for sitting on my shoulder and giving it a squeeze--I DO need it. This is the corrected post.

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