I’m bored of cancer

That was what I used to say when people asked me how I was doing or how I was feeling. Then my condition got worse, and I was terrified. Couldn’t say I was bored then.
“Oh, you take it seriously now?” I was asked.
Did I not before? I must just have had such an inflated ego, thinking I was so strong. Before I turned to God, my way of handling it was to think “it’s not my pain; it’s the cancer’s pain. I’m glad it’s hurting.” Foolish pride and it failed me eventually.

Now, I do trust that the Lord’s got me. I’m going to be okay regardless of the outcome. This has all been for my eventual betterment and weeding out the fake and detrimental parts of my heart (like that pride). And now I’m bored of cancer again but in a different way. I’m ready for this to be done.

I was afraid of adding radiation to my treatment when it was suggested. Paraphrasing the doctor I spoke with: “It will hurt, the skin will be like rotten, and it’s going to stink.” I was afraid of how isolating that would be, but I’m okay now. I have an appointment tomorrow to set that in motion. I know I’ll get through it, and it’s what has to be done to be done with this and get my life back already. It’s time to speed this process up.

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minxy · 46-50, F

Is this for breast cancer?
I'm surprised you were told it would be like rotten and stink.
I was told it would hurt like a really bad sunburn and it did, easy enough to remedy with some cooling lotion which will be needed anyway.

They made the radiation more intense over the sternum area, which scabbed over and hurt a little more but it never looked like it was rotting and it didn't stink.

I can totally relate to the boredom of the treatment.

Colonelmustardseed · 41-45

@minxy He said it would smell. It upset me at first, but I’m ready and preparing for the worst now.

Did you have any trouble with recovery from that treatment? Everything healed like normal skin and tissue?

minxy · 46-50, F

@Colonelmustardseed Preparing for the worst, I know that well.

You mentioning preparation for the worst, I think my radiologist did worse case scenario too, but it wasn't as bad as he said. I had a cough for a while after, I was told that was normal.

Oh, right now it's as if I didn't have radiation done at all and it was last August that it ended. No scars, no anything. skin tissue is the same. It's as if I didn't have radiation.

Colonelmustardseed · 41-45

@minxy Nice. 🙂 And I’m glad you’ve overcome the cancer.

minxy · 46-50, F

@Colonelmustardseed I'm wishing you the best of luck. I remember one of my more difficult challenges while getting radiation was staying still.
They'd be playing music and I'd want to dance.
Which meant wiggling.

and thank you, one more immunotherapy treatment and I'll be done.

The radiation treatments flew by. Took longer to change clothes than it takes to get it done that day.
Good luck to you.

Colonelmustardseed · 41-45

@minxy Thank you. 🧡

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@Colonelmustardseed My wife's skin did not smell. Nothing happened at first but then it got burnt and it was a bit painful and she felt beat up. It's gone back to normal now though.

Colonelmustardseed · 41-45

@JimboSaturn Oh no. I’m glad she’s feeling better now.

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@Colonelmustardseed Yep it's better now. We had to go everyday for like 4 weeks, that was a pain though.

Colonelmustardseed · 41-45

@JimboSaturn She must have been exhausted of the whole process.

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@Colonelmustardseed Yes, I was about a year long. It got tough just near the end when I think she was getting tired. She had 9 chemo , surgery, than radiation.

Colonelmustardseed · 41-45

@JimboSaturn Wow, that’s a long time. ☹️

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@Colonelmustardseed Well it wasn't supposed to be that long but the stupid doctor's offices did not set up the appointments on time when they were supposed to and the doctor didn't remove all the cancer he was supposed to the first surgery and she had to have another. This all delayed everything.

Colonelmustardseed · 41-45

@JimboSaturn What a nightmare. She’s really okay now?

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@Colonelmustardseed Yes, she still feels a bit beat up and tired but she is getting better. Her hair is growing back. It looks a little funny now, but she is going back to normal. She has a bone scan next week to make sure everything is ok, but she feels fine.

The chemo made her tired but not nauseated. The drugs for that are pretty good now.

Colonelmustardseed · 41-45

@JimboSaturn I hope the scan gives her good news and that she continues to improve. 🧡

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@Colonelmustardseed I think it will be fine. She had breast cancer that spread to a vertebrae. They have a special radiation technique called a gamma scalpel that can cure that not. Her back doesn't hurt anymore so I think it was successful.