The Day of Diagnosis: What was it like for you?

On the day I found out about the possibility of having cancer, I had an appointment with my PD the following day. This is what the oncologist said to me as she walked into the room. "Congratulations! You are in the millionth club." I had no response because I didn't understand what she was talking about. She comes over to me and says, "You do know why you are here, don't you?" I said yes, "Jacob told I had to have an appointment with you." In my opinion, this is a very poor way of telling someone they have cancer. The oncologist was not happy with my twin sister for asking questions. Who in their right mind would think of telling someone in that manner that they have cancer?

I remember having an appointment that day, for around 3:45 pm. That time came and went, and I was wondering why it was taking so long. Around 4:30, the Urologist came in to chat with my wife and I. He sat down next to me and was looking at his notes. He said "We got the results of the biopsy back, and there is some cancer on there". My wife started to cry, as our brother in law at the time, was terminally ill with cancer. Then, the doctor was talking about numbers, 3+3, 3+4, but I didn't hear him. I couldn't believe I had prostate cancer. My wife and I were coming from our respective workplaces, and I went home after the appointment. She went to run an errand. I texted my brother that day about it, and I told my employer about it as well, knowing that I would miss work. I didn't sleep well at all that night. I kept waking up thinking to myself that I have cancer. From November '24 - October '25, I missed 4 months of work due to the prostectomy, and then blood clots that had developed due to radiation treatments that I had after surgery. I ended up losing my job about 2 weeks after coming back from my last FMLA leave, and I am considering legal options there. The issue is that I am 59 years old, and nobody will hire an older fella. From a business standpoint, I get it. The blood clot won't resolve and is recurring, so I've used that, and a couple of other things, to apply for disability. My wife is very supportive, and between my brother in law, and myself, she said that she doesn't want me to work, but to take time and do the things that I like. So we take little trips and things, and eat at new restaurants, and enjoy life. I wish you all the very best! Thanks for letting me ramble on! - Scot

W where do I start it started off with squamous cell kind of synovial a couple spots on my leg which I've had removed then there was another one I decided to have my yearly mammogram and low and behold I was stage 2 breast cancer her positive I still don't understand everything about everything but I just finished my radiation it has been such a whirlwind nightmare eye opening part of my life I would really like to forget it's so confusing and you have no idea what's going on and I'm just glad that for the most part it's over dealing with two cancers at one time was extremely hard when I was done with the lumpectomy I had a big cancer on my leg which I had removed in that one needed a skin graft so I've been cut hogged prodded stitched up all over the different parts of my body it was extremely hard for me to sleep everything's almost healed up I've been reading a lot about how to heal myself I hardly have any support my husband 75 I am 65 he was worn out in the first week so I kind of been on my own since I have kids but they don't live close

I do a lot of writing to try to keep my mind occupied and do yoga. I suspect that if my scans continue to be good, the anxiety will diminish some over time. Thanks for your reply!