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I have cancer (low-grade lymphoma) and I don't know how I feel about it

Some of you may be aware that I was recently diagnosed with lymphoma--yep, that "C" word.

Now, before I go any further, let me say that I am OK, it's very slow-growing, or indolent. I have no symptoms and no pain. I do not need treatment now, and I might never need it. "It's cancer," my doctor said at the office, but bless him, he said it sitting down, and with all the matter-of-factness of wondering what to have for lunch. That put me at ease, at least in that moment. I've had some tests and a biopsy, and I'll be going back for a quick follow-up and a 20 questions session soon.

My head has been spinning ever since. I am thankful that the illness is not a worst-case scenario, yet I feel, well, sad that this...whatever is growing inside of me and could potentially be cause for concern at some point. It's a strange feeling.

What really surprised me is the reactions of other people. I haven't told many people except for my family and closest friends. Some of them freak out, which in turn freaks ME out. A very close friend said "It took me three days just to tell Dawn(his wife)". I wasn't ready for any of this. I'm not trying to freak people out. Some people are even more upset than I am, but I think some people should know, PLUS it would be nice to have people to speak to about this.

Most importantly, I don't want to seem like I'm calling attention to myself at the expense of others who have this worse than I do. I have Facebook friends who post from their hospital bed as they go for treatment and I certainly won't be mentioning this there.

I'm aware that some SWeeps have battled cancer. Also, I have a friend with a much worse version of lymphoma than mine, and I'm not certain that I want to burden him with my condition.

It's going to take a while. I'm bouncing between total acceptance and not really caring and sadness and anger. Of course, I never expected to have cancer, and now that I do, even saying "I have cancer" feels strange, and people reacting more dramatically than I feels stranger than that.

Thanks for reading and be well.
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I'm so sorry to hear this. I have a best friend who just went through this, the same as you are going through. What's your feeling is only natural. It's a blow to the mind to hear the cancer word. You're going to have this mix of feelings for quite some time because anybody would be scared to get that diagnosis. At the same time, it doesn't allow your mind to think rationally when going through something like this. The main thing is not to panic right now and the more stressed you stay away from, the better. What's your feeling is very normal. The mind is not ready to process such heavy things. And nobody knows what you're really feeling until they go through it. However I want to tell you that cancer these days does not mean a death sentence. It depends on how you handle it. The main thing is never in this stage, rush into life-changing decisions. Your mind is not ready for that. My very best advice for you would be to heal it holistically because it does work. This is what most people are going with these days. I would treat it aggressively from the very beginning. If it were myself, I would immediately go on the Budwig diet. There are other things that can help you, as well. Many things that have killed cancer cells. Many therapies. The main thing is not to panic because you need your body to heal. Now I know that's super hard to wrap your mind around at this time when so much is going on but do try your best. The one thing you don't want to do is start going on the internet and reading all the negativity and scary things about cancer! It's important to keep your mind focused and on track so your body can begin to heal once you start the right diet. You'll make it through this. Do the right things and you will definitely make it through this. I know you're probably thinking yeah that's easy for you to say you're not going through this, and that's easier said than done and you would be right, however, my mother and father had cancer, so I did my research on the subject and no others who have come through this type cancer because they did the right things and place themselves on the right diet so please try not to be afraid. God will see you through this!

I think I would get another doctor and also another opinion! Please do! I had a doctor one time that told me I had cancer and I needed surgery immediately! I knew that was not true so I got another doctor and a second opinion and she said, "You don't have cancer!!"

It makes me sad the way your doctor handled this. You want somebody that's going to be in your corner, give you the best encouragement, and help you fight this. Someone that's really on your team! Much love. I'm definitely going to pray for you each and every day and I mean that with all my heart. If you need to talk to me, I'm always available to you. 🤗❤️
uncalled4 · 56-60, M
@LadyGrace Thank you, as always, for your kind words. God bless.