How has cancer changed your life?
Cancer has a way of drawing a line through our lives—a "before" and an "after." While the physical journey is often the focus, the internal shifts in how we see the world, ourselves, and our time are often the most profound changes of all.
- How has your perspective on life changed? Are there things that used to feel like a big deal that now seem insignificant, or vice versa?
- How do you see yourself differently today than you did before your diagnosis? Do you feel like a "different person," and if so, what parts of your new self are you still getting to know?
- How has your relationship with time changed? Whether it’s a new sense of urgency to chase dreams or a newfound ability to slow down and find joy in small moments, how are you spending your days differently?
- Sometimes the biggest impact is in the smallest details—hobbies you’ve picked up, a new career path, or even just a change in your daily routine. What is one "small" change that has had a surprisingly big impact on your life?
Cancer hasn't stopped me from trying to live whatever a normal life is. I continue to keep busy and occupied but with each new pain or feeling it automatically sends signals to my brain - what if this some new type or just a reoccurrence of what it was originally and what do I do? No help or answers from Doctors . Just trying to continue life as normal as possible- putting it behind me and pray for the best' Just getting up to each new day is what I look forward to knowing I still have lots to do and want to do.
Thank you for your comment. Cancer really does change everything. Do you have a good support team at home to help you keep going? All the best, Kathy (Team member)
You're instructed on what to expect during chemo. But no one tells you what to expect after you hear the word remission. No one prepares you for the roller-coaster rehabilitation
So true. Even if you are in remission, there's a strong likelihood of ongoing challenges. You may be interested in this article written by a cancer survivor who found she couldn't return to life before her diagnosis, even after remission. What has been the hardest part for you? All the best, Kathy (Team wember) the hardest part is finding my new normal, understanding what is normal in remission, getting answers about meds and symptoms
I have been a prostate cancer patient now for 14 years. I opted for surgery, and the result was an non-detectable PSA. Awsome! Other than getting blood tests every three months, I hardly thought about cancer (ok, it was always in the back of my mind). I felt like I was cured! But I really knew better.
One of the first things I did was retire since I was already almost 67. My wife and I became travelers, not tourists, travelers. We went to places and stayed for a week or two, enjoying life. I also have a small business that I was able to work with remotely.
Then, almost 5 years to the day, I had a recurrence. Well, I guess I wasn't cancer free after all! I then did 33 days of radiation and also 6 months of lupron. I am not a fan of hormone deprivation, but my PSA was again down at the undetectable level. I continued to get blood draws again every three months. We continued our life of travel and ended up with a small apartment in Europe where we staged our trips. All was well until 2025 when, yep, I had a second recurrence.
The second recurrence got me a new oncologist and a promotion to stage 4 since the cancer had metastasized to a little lymph node in my pelvic cavity. Since it the first batch of radiation was in my prostate bed, they were able to give me another 25 or so days of radiation in the pelvic cavity, yay! In order to optimize things, I am now half way through a two year stint of ADT where my PSA is undetectable and my testosterone is almost, but not quite undetectable.
Suffice it to say, with all of the side effects of ADT, my life has its ups and downs...but, we are leaving in two weeks for another trip to Europe. We do schedule our trip so that we can be back every three months or so for those lovely blood draws. I think by this time I would miss them if I didn't have them!
On a side note, my last three CAT scans did show a small nodule growing in my left lung. My Oncologist sent me to a Pulmonary NP who set me up for a meeting with a Thoracic surgeon - but that isn't for another two weeks so all I can say is, it is great to have Zoom so I can do video meetings from abroad!
I guess my thought is, cancer sucks, but do what you can while you can and you will be better for it! And if you can exercise a lot, it is even better!You have certainly had your roller coaster ride since your first cancer diagnosis. I am glad you have been able to enjoy life despite the worry a diagnosis brings. Is there anything you can tell us about how to maintain such a positive attitude? Warmly, Kathy Team member) It definitely helps to have a great support network of people who care. I have a wonderful and supportive wife, children and grandchildren as well as a couple of groups of close friends. I think I would be miserable without that.
My cancer came back with with a vengeance, attacked my lower spine. At first I had a lot of support from my friends and all but then shortly after my surgery, they all seemed to drop away, disappeared. No one texts or calls me anymore and I refuse to be the one reaching out. I’m retired now and I’m lonely a lot. I can’t seem to get into my art or diamond projects. I do pray and read my Bible and books on letting go of people.
thanks so much for your support! I literally have no one but my husband and daughter and God. My best friend for 10 years believed in the lies her son told her about me. She did it all by texting, no phone call or wouldn’t even talk to me in person. She felt “uncomfortable doing that “ I never thought she’d do this to me but she did and I’m trying so hard to get over it.
I totally understand, I have relatable experience myself...It hurts SO BAD. I GET IT..I totally do. I would love to send u my number so we can text, but I don't know how to send it privately..I wish I can send u inspirationals. I'm a Christian as well. Your feelings are justified..GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND 🙏💕🤗
