Testicular cancer in 1995. Noticed that one of the family jewels was getting larger, went to see the GP who sent me immediately to a urologist who confirmed it was a solid (not fluid) swelling, and straight into surgery a few days later. After recovering from the surgery I had a course of preventative radiotherapy on the lymph nodes in my torso/abdomen, which wasn’t much fun but better than the more aggressive kind. And I’ve been fine ever since.
Sadly I’ve lost two family members to cancer (my sister three years ago, and my mother two months ago), so I’m aware how lucky I’ve been. And as oft repeated - check early, check often, and go see a doctor if you find anything at all.
Also - be aggressive if necessary. When I had crotch-bleeding 6 years past menopause and I started getting the “well… it will be at least 6 months before you get in to see a doctor about this” I said F— that noise, watch me. I spent a LOT of time on the phone but got into see a doc in less than 2 weeks.
As we now know there had been some actual spread during the time between diagnosis and surgery even if it wasn’t enough to show up until later I really don’t think passively accepting a six month wait would have done me any good whatsoever.
Was treated for lymphoma as a teenager. 34 years in remission. Dealing with some knock-on effects of the radiation treatment that was available at the time but it’s better than being dead.
I know what you mean, but I wouldn’t put it quite like that. I think the experience changes the way you cope with things, and makes you better at coping, so you kind of downplay the illness . I had this discussion with my friend L a week or so ago (she’s also had cancer twice) - I have some rough old dentistry coming up in a couple of weeks, but I’m able to just not think about it. And get on with life. I’m sure I wouldn’t be coping so well if I hadn’t had the cancer(s).
I had a prostatectomy 6 years ago and have been relatively cancer free.
Due to my PSA readings going up and an MRI showing a flare-up in my spine, I had two shots of SBRT radiation at the end of September. Recent blood test shows PSA has returned to zero. (Whew!) Oncologist wants another blood test and a follow-up MRI at the end of January.
I experienced some side effects from SBRT but they were mild. I was expecting much worse. My cancer is considered Stage 4 (metastasized), so I’m grateful that Lady Luck continues to smile on me.