# I have cancer **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 18, 2000, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914 "2000-08-18T22:01:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/21 "2000-08-19T00:09:30Z")
Best wishes to you, oldscratch. My father had a large melanoma removed from below his right ear along his jawline a couple years ago; luckily, he has had no reoccurrences, but I know how scared he was. I hope that you can receive the best treatment available and get through it OK. The layoff is kinda like being kicked when you’re down. All I can offer is my own memories of going through hard times and getting through with the help of family and friends. I hope you can get together with your friends and loved ones and keep a positive outlook. If there’s anything I can do for you, don’t hesitate to e-mail me. ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/22 "2000-08-19T00:14:42Z")
Oldscratch, That sucks about your job, hopefully you can find another one soon. Glad to hear that they have caught your cancerous cells early. My step-mom went through it too, as did my father. Both of them are normal as normal can be, so with the right treatments you will be okay. Keep us updated on your treatments and such. {{{{{{{OLDSCRATCH}}}}}}}}} ---
**Author:** ![brachyrhynchos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brachyrhynchos/32/376_2.png) [@brachyrhynchos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brachyrhynchos)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/23 "2000-08-19T00:14:56Z")
Wow, oldscratch, I am really sorry to hear about your cancer. And I’m sorry that it was compounded by the loss of your job. Thank zeus the cancer was found early. I wish you a full and speedy recovery. Take care, kiddo. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/24 "2000-08-19T00:15:34Z")
oldscratch, I’m so sorry to hear that. I’ll be thinking of ya, dude. Get better soon; the sooner, the better. ---
**Author:** ![poohpah\_chalupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/91b2a8/32.png) [@poohpah\_chalupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poohpah_chalupa)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/25 "2000-08-19T00:26:00Z")
O-Scratch-san, I can only echo what’s been said, squared. You have the power of the Teeming Millions focusing their collective hopes and prayers to you (just be sure to sure that power for good, not evil!)…we send our best. ---
**Author:** ![Scotticher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scotticher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scotticher)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/26 "2000-08-19T00:52:16Z")
I am so sorry to hear that life is not treating you kindly. I pray you find a better job than the one you are leaving. At least you caught your melanoma early, so hopefully it will be completely eradicated. My prayers and positive thoughts will go with you on this journey. Scotti ---
**Author:** ![Profane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@Profane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profane)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/27 "2000-08-19T01:28:23Z")
{{{{oldscratch}}}} You’ll be fine. I also have an aunt that had a melanoma removed and has stayed cancer free. Your chances are excellent since you caught it early. One other thing, did they lay you off b/c you have cancer? If so, sue the pants off them. I’d pray for you, but we’re both athiest. I’ll light a candle at my Invisible Pink Unicorn shrine instead. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/28 "2000-08-19T01:30:13Z")
Well, the good news is that your old company will have to offer you continued health insurance through COBRA for at least 18 months. It sucks that you have to pay the premiums out of pocket, but do what you have to do to make them. Because, of course, NOW your melanoma is a pre-existing condition and future health plans may exclude you from coverage for a year. (Wasn’t Clinton trying to pass a bill that would do away with this??) Anyway, take your company up on it (you’ll get a certified letter soon explaining the details) and it’ll be a hell of a lot cheaper for you to pay the premium than to pay for the surgery out of pocket. Also, just be sure to make the premiums ON TIME because employers can, and will, cancel it if you’re late, heartless bastards. Anyway, good luck finding a new job. As everyone has said, caught early and skin cancer is very treatable. ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/29 "2000-08-19T01:56:29Z")
**oldscratch** - As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been down the cancer road myself (Hodgkins for me). Know that I’ll be sending posative vibes your way. Feel free to e-mail me if you want to talk about it. Bummer about the job too. But I’m sure you’ll be able to triumph over both of these situations. ---
**Author:** ![Wicked\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/2acd7d/32.png) [@Wicked\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wicked_Blue)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/30 "2000-08-19T02:15:56Z")
oldscratch, I’m sorry to hear about your melanoma. I went through a scare myself, and although I was fine in the end, I had many sleepless nights because of it, as well a nice big scar. If you need to talk, feel free to email or AIM me. Rose ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/31 "2000-08-19T02:23:07Z")
((((oldscratch)))) We’ll be thinking of you here! Best of luck to you! ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/32 "2000-08-19T02:30:22Z")
I had to watch them take a melanoma off my mother’s back. I hope that you don’t suffer. Best of luck beating it. {{{{{{{oldscratch}}}}}}} ---
**Author:** ![Zaphod\_Beeblebrox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/0ea827/32.png) [@Zaphod\_Beeblebrox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zaphod_Beeblebrox)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/33 "2000-08-19T02:31:54Z")
All the best, \*_oldscratch_. We’re all with you. I’m sorry to hear about your job as well. ---
**Author:** ![TaleraRis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@TaleraRis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TaleraRis)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/34 "2000-08-19T02:44:17Z")
I think you’ll be fine, Old. It’s scary to find out you have cancer. I was too young (4 1/2) to realize just how much danger I was in when I was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor 3, a form of kidney cancer. But if they could cure something that deadly 16 years ago I have the utmost confidence you’ll be just fine. And the job thing sucks, was laid off myself, but you’ll find something else and maybe it’s a blessing in disguise sort of thing. Good luck 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/35 "2000-08-19T03:14:30Z")
15 years ago I went to the doctor about an ear problem. While he was looking me over, he noticed a little, black sort of curlicue thing on my upper arm. He asked if I’d had it long. I said I’d never noticed it before. His next words were something like, “If it’s melanoma, and we take it now, there’s a 100% cure rate.” Then he gave me the survival rate if it was to spread. I walked out with a little band-aid. No reoccurences as of yet. Best of luck to you, dude. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/36 "2000-08-19T04:25:03Z")
Cripes, that’s awful. Well, chin up. That’s a lad. Find the money for COBRA. Sue the bastards, all that. (Aw, hell, it’s not contagious and he’s going through a rough time. It’s okay to . . .) {{{{{Scratch}}}}} ---
**Author:** ![MysterEcks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@MysterEcks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysterEcks)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/37 "2000-08-19T08:53:50Z")
I’ll just second what everyone else has been saying, and send you my best wishes for a speedy recovery and a better job. ---
**Author:** ![DRY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@DRY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRY)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/38 "2000-08-19T09:06:14Z")
I, too, would like to send along my best wishes for your recovery, and, additionally, I send along my hopes that you’ll find a new job fairly quickly. I also have to confess that I’ve been remiss in complimenting you on your food update thread. I read it regularly and enjoy it very much. Even though I get jealous because I’m usually eating a fairly mundane cobb salad or some such at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Kiki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dc4da7/32.png) [@Kiki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiki)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/39 "2000-08-19T13:58:09Z")
Best wishes to you on both counts! It’s good that they caught it early and can treat it. Good luck to you! ---
**Author:** ![BunnyGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@BunnyGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BunnyGirl)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2000, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914/40 "2000-08-19T14:10:36Z")
Ouch - two at once! Positive vibes coming your way. Glad they caught the CA early - you’ll be fine in no time. You’ll have a new better job soon and then you can brag to us on how much better this one is versus the old one! Keep you chin up! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-cancer/29914.md?page=3)