How does cancer affect people personally?

10 Comments

1. kay_flood says:

   February 2, 2009 at 3:30 am

   Lung Cancer

   suggest that you take your homework questions to the homework section… or novel idea do your research yourself… you may actually learn something.
2. thinkingtime says:

   February 2, 2009 at 10:50 am

   Lung Cancer

   You are usually in too much pain to have mood swings.
3. bengal says:

   February 3, 2009 at 12:08 pm

   Lung Cancer

   Boy this is hard to answer I suppose terrified and shocked is at the top of the list and worried I suppose even some relief and sometimes the thought of better not knowing so many thoughrts that it is confusing at times I even have to admit feeling sorry for myself at times but I never felt anger I guess you are to sad to be mad Even if they think they got it all you feel it is a good possibility that a cell is there somewhere waiting to come back and if you have made it through grateful you caught it fast and dodged the big one for a bit longer but I think we all have the fear it will return the question is where when and how and we all hope for cures sooner than later if it comes back
4. Mizz. G says:

   February 6, 2009 at 5:20 pm

   Lung Cancer

   Everyone has different side effect depending on what type of cancer. In my case, I have Multiple Myeloma. That is a type of bone marrow cancer. I have spinal pain every day. It *****!

   I also get tired more often than before and feel dizzy at times. We also get flu like symptoms, which is body aches all over.

   It really affects us personally becuase it is something you have to live thinking about. I think about it every day. Luckily I am at first stage so I do not take any chema therapy or radiation at this point.

   I am 27, married and have a 4 year old daughter and there is not one day I go by not thinking that if something were to happen to me, who would care for my child like I do. It really affects me tremendously. I just try and live life one day at a time and hope my cancer doesn’t progress so that I can be with my child at least until she’s fully grown.

   At the beginning when I found out that I had cancer, i did get very depressed. All I would think about is, “OMG, I’m gonna die.” Thank god and to my mothers’ prayers, i’ve been doing good. I’m outgoing again as before and I just try to think positive.

   About the mood swings, I guess if you are stressed, every person gets mood-swings. I get them when i’m really stressed plus having to even think I have cancer just stresses me out even more.

   I hoped this helped, good luck! At lease you got a point of view from a real cancer patient. lol!
5. inverse_mushroom_cloud says:

   February 8, 2009 at 2:18 pm

   Lung Cancer

   Mood swings. Sure, we get mood swings. We actually don’t stop being normal people when we get cancer.

   Sometimes we have to alter our lifestyles. Avoid certain foods, avoid large crowds, avoid small children who might have colds/flu/other communicable diseases. Some people in treatment cannot work, others can. You have to take your temperature daily and be very careful not to get any kind of infection or sickness. Our immune systems can be very compromised.

   Sometimes we’re sad and think we see the end of our time on earth, other times we are hopeful. Mostly we just try to put our heads down and drive through the treatment like a linebacker drives through the scrimmage line. Our lives revolve around the disease for months, sometimes years. During and after diagnosis, there are so many appointments: tests, dr office visits, treatments, follow-ups, bloodwork, scans, and repeat all those, week after week, month after month.

   Anything else you want to know specifically?
6. hezzy_9805 says:

   February 10, 2009 at 1:38 pm

   Lung Cancer

   I have no problem helping you with this question. As far as any others seem to think.
   As far as mood swings and anger go. Everyone has anger and everyone gets upset. If you ask many stage four cancer patients they and I will tell you….we are angry that there is no cure, we are angry that we are treated differently.

   I tell everyonoe this that I meet and will continue intil I speak my last breath. The cancer can take me physically, but it will never take me mentally. It can not take my spirt, happiness, or my love. Cancer has taught me to treasure life for the little things. To think outside the box and most of all don’t sit around waiting. If you want something do it and go for it.

   I often tell jokes about losing all my hair and going threw a mastectomy. My brother-in-law is also bald. When my hair started falling out I went ahead and shaved it the rest of the way. Afterwards when everyone was looking for some sad way to tell me it was alright I was laughing. I told everyone I didnt want my brother-in-law around since he had no hair, and ***** I thought he would get an audition for Mrs. Clean before I did.

   Everyone handled everything different. When a ONC Dr tells you that your cancer is stage four its a blow thats a given. However, many dont sit around waiting for death to open the door is knocks on.

   I have a daughter who is almost four years old. I have a husband and a great group of friends and family. There is nothing that can take happiness from me.

   Hope this helps you
7. cold grey Ash says:

   February 13, 2009 at 4:34 am

   Lung Cancer

   People with cancer get the same emotional moods as anyone else.

   I have cancer – I happen to have thyroid cancer. I will describe what I go through.
   1. terrified, scared, angry,
   2. Tired, weak, emotionally drained
   3. I have constant pain from some complications from surgeries I have had
   4. I have lots of feelings of guilt because I have a 2 year old son that I can’t be the mom I want to be for him right now.
   5. because we removed my thyroid (an organ in your body that regulates temperature, weight gain, and metabolism), I have gained weight and have a hard time loosing it, I have a hard time staying warm – I’m always either hot or cold, I also get tired a lot.
8. Little Leny says:

   February 13, 2009 at 8:10 am

   Lung Cancer

   list of emotions
   1.terror
   2.confused
   3.helplessness
   4.sadness
   5.determination to beat cancer
   Cancer has changed me a lot. I’ve seen two of my very very good friends pass away while I was fighting for my own life. I don’t cry anymore. I get teary eyed but no crying. I find myself with little emotion anymore. I get angry, and teary eyed but no crying. I’ve been told I’m a great guy and that I’m a great friend but I still carry burdens in my mind.
9. Orion says:

   February 16, 2009 at 11:55 am

   Lung Cancer

   publishes survivor testimonials. As for me, stage 3b Melanoma in six yrs 2 surgeries, 3 cycles chemo cocktail, reoccurance after 4 years surgery, 1 yr GMcSF.

   First scaried and argury. Then put all my energy into learning about it and what I can do. It has left me emotional (from never crying to crying at movies) yet emotions from my live has less swings. For example death of family member, I fight to keep emotion in check similar to keeping in check about my own plight.

   Good events bring on strong emotions, joy to see milestones that I first thought lost (e.g. kids graduations, weddings). Also brings a strong clearity of life’s priorities. My relationship to with my wife, children. Little things do not get me upset.

   One in three people will get cancer in their lifetime. More are surviving longer, so many more survivors. So chances are you and your classmates will know a survivor. Do a good job on your report as you can help people learn to enjoy life without having to deal with life threatening illness. good luck
10. Verite R says:

    February 17, 2009 at 11:58 pm

    Lung Cancer

    Sometimes it makes you mad at doctors who dismiss your symptoms – so I decided to write

    Hope it gives you some idea.

    Verite R