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15 Shitty Things Cancer Has Taught Me

15 Shitty Things Cancer Has Taught Me

15 shitty things cancer has taught me. Yep. You read that right. This one’s a sarcastic rant, so get ready.

As you likely know by now, one of my top cancer pet peeves is the expectation out there that somehow cancer miraculously transforms you into a better version of your former self. You know, there are all those life lessons to learn.

Sure, being diagnosed with cancer makes you an unlucky soul, but at least your diagnosis also automatically granted you enrollment into the Cancer Enlightenment Program, which undoubtedly, you will benefit from.

If not, why not?

(The above is supposed to be sarcasm.)

This line of thinking sort of implies that somehow you needed this experience to get your priorities straight.

Again, there are all those life lessons to learn and epiphanies to be had.

If the transformation theory works for you, fine. But for me, all that enlightenment malarkey is total BS.

I started working on this post a couple years ago, so t’s been sitting in a folder for quite some time. (This is actually a watered-down version.) I hesitate to publish certain posts. This is one of them.

Why?

Because it’s a push-back sort of piece that perhaps some will not appreciate. It’s meant to be tongue-in-cheek. Sort of. Not everyone will appreciate my dry humor. Or sarcasm. It’s okay if you don’t.

Don’t take this post too seriously, okay? Then again…

So, you’ve been forewarned.

Enough with the stalling, here we go.

15 shitty things cancer has taught me:

1. I’ve pretty much failed the Cancer Enlightenment Program. Wait, not pretty much. I have failed it.

No grand lessons here. An epiphany? Nope. Have not had one of those. Nor have my priorities been reshuffled. Still me. Not better. Probably worse. But still standing!

2. Being a cancer rebel is still more or less frowned upon. People tend to prefer conformity in (Pink) Cancer Land too.

Stirring things up is still oftentimes a no-no. Don’t make waves is probably the safer course.

3. If it looks like you haven’t moved on, people get uncomfortable. And judgmental. They might even start giving you that raised eyebrow look. (Have you been given the look? If not, be patient. You’ll likely get it.)

Oh sure, you’re allowed a certain amount of time to get over the messy parts, (like a year maybe) but then, it’s time to get on with it, honey. Same deal with grief, btw.

So, at nine years out now, I’ve clearly missed the getting over it deadline. Just one more reason for my big fat “F” in the Cancer Enlightenment Program.

4. Getting your breasts amputated and getting a “free” boob job is still sometimes considered a perk of breast cancer.

Seriously?

I still can’t believe this one.

You might want to read, Ten Reasons Why Breast Reconstruction Is Not a Boob Job!

5. Embrace the pink sisterhood like your life depends on it or else you are doing breast cancer all wrong.

Be strong. Act brave. Keep smiling. Keep your whining to a minimum. Prove you can still do it all. (like you ever could.) And on and on and on…

6. It’s probably best to keep your non-varnished cancer truths under-wraps.

Most people can’t handle the truth. Heck, they don’t even want to hear it.

7. If you refuse to do #6, you will likely be called negative.

So be it. I’ve been called worse.

8. Cancer makes you old before your time.

It just does. And the medical community sometimes isn’t helpful when they no longer know what to do with you, so they start implying that perhaps your long-term side effects and other issues you’re complaining about are probably just normal aging. And when you start realizing they could be right, you feel, well, even older.

(No wonder the elderly often get frustrated. When you’re old, you’re supposed to just suck it up and put up with shit?)

Of course, all this is still better than the alternative.

9. You will likely think of your life in terms of before cancer and after cancer from diagnosis day on out. Or at least I do. Dear Hubby does too.

For some of us, there was also life with breasts and now life without breasts. Pretty sure, deep down Dear Hubby thinks this way too, though he’s too kind to mention it.

Sure, I’ve got a reconstructed chest, but let me tell you, it is nothing like the real deal. Nothing.

10. Cancer is expensive, and I’m lucky to have decent insurance.

I always knew cancer treatment wasn’t cheap, but until you need it yourself, it’s hard to imagine the financial burden.

And then, there is the career upheaval. Another expense of a different sort.

11. Learning your cancer is hereditary sucks.

Now, I not only have to worry about myself, I also have to worry about family members. Cancer sucks. Period.

12. The blame game is still very much alive and well.

All those “did you” questions still lurk.

And now, there are new ones. I call these the “are you now” questions. Are you eating healthier now? What about exercise? Are you exercising more now and if not, why not? Are you still having that glass of wine now? And so on.

(Like I was living recklessly before with no regard to my lifestyle choices and sorta deserved all this.)

13. It’s never over even though many around you might believe, even insist, that it is. Or should be.

My one-word response, mirrors.

14. Cancer brings fatigue.

No need to say more, right?

15. The shittiest thing of all, of course, is that people you care about die from metastatic breast cancer. And the grief is real for those who die that you’ve never met in person too.

Many don’t understand how you can grieve for people you’ve never actually met. But you do. And it’s heartbreaking. Sometimes, I ask myself why I remain online at all.

But then, I do. Because I can’t imagine not.

So, there you have 15 shitty things cancer has taught me. I’m sure there are more, but that oughta do for now. Maybe I’ll write a part 2 sometime. Or not.

If you haven’t yet written down some shitty things you’ve learned from cancer, I highly recommend that you do. It’s therapeutic.

I gotta say, writing this post and then publishing it, too, actually made me feel pretty darn good.

Turns out, the Positivity Pushers don’t know everything.

The Cancer Enlightenment Program be damned!

Now, it’s YOUR turn to share one or two shitty things cancer has taught you.

(If you don’t, I’m gonna look bad.) 

It’ll feel good. I promise.

Ready. Set. Go!

Share a shitty thing or two that cancer has taught you.

Do you sometimes feel pressured to stay positive?

Do you ever feel like you’re expected to “find the good” in your cancer diagnosis?

This post is a personal favorite of mine (not sure what this says about me), so I’d really appreciate it if you shared it where you see fit. Thank you!

A bit of a rant! 15 Shitty Things #Cancer Has Taught Me! #breastcancer #cancersucks #womenshealth #advocacy

If you like this post, you might also like my memoir. No sugarcoating. Guaranteed.

Cancer Was Not a Gift & It Didn't Make Me a Better Person - Read my #memoir if you prefer to read a non-varnished account about the cancer experience. No sugarcoating. Guaranteed.

A NOTE FROM NANCY: Order my new book, EMERGINGStories from the Other Side of a Cancer Diagnosis, Loss, and a Pandemic, in print or for Kindle at Amazon. EMERGING is also available at most online booksellers such as: BAMBookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and more. Reviews are greatly appreciated!

Adrienne

Wednesday 20th of September 2023

You are spot on with the 15 things! My life will never be the same. Everything now revolves around cancer. Is that pain in my knee due to aging or is it bone cancer? Every blood test or scan might show cancer or some other illness that most likely was brought on by my breast cancer. My daughter has changed the form she fills out when she needs to see a doctor to : family member has cancer. I have left a legacy (boobacy) for my granddaughter to worry about in the future. The good thing that has happened is after being under anasthesia for over 8 hours for the bilateral mastectomy and diep-flap reconstruction, I no longer fear anything. ANYTHING!

Nancy

Thursday 21st of September 2023

Adrienne, I hear you. On all of it! Thanks for sharing.

Susie

Friday 15th of April 2022

Hmmmmm….. exhaustion after 5 years ? Yup-that is shitty! And. I have 3 more thoughts—-but I cannot remember then….. chemo brain still exists. That is shitty. But- I am not dead yet!

Nancy

Monday 18th of April 2022

Susie, Oh yes, that lingering exhaustion is shitty for sure. And chemo brain...I hear you. Thanks for chiming in!

Nicki Rose

Wednesday 6th of April 2022

The shittiest thing cancer has taught me is you can get another kind. I mean really?!?? I had breast cancer 15 years ago had a lumpectomy, radiation and chemo. Turn the clock ahead to October of 2020 and I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer! Isn’t one diagnosis plenty enough?!? Another round of chemo plus multiple surgeries and I’m cancer free again. Of course many people treat me like I’m dying when really I feel perfectly fine. Friends and family have ghosted me for a second time. Just shitty shitty shitty!

Nancy

Thursday 7th of April 2022

Nicki, Oh man. Another different cancer diagnosis. That sucks. I'm sorry you had to deal with yet another diagnosis and more treatment. I'm glad you're doing well now. Some people don't have a clue how to handle this sort of thing once, much less twice. Hopefully, you have a few good support people around you yet. Definitely shitty, shitty shitty! Thank you for sharing. My best to you.

Chavon Cortez

Monday 14th of February 2022

Thank you for your truth and candidness. Cancer took my mother when I was 17 and she was only 45. I was diagnosed last year at 43 years old and there have been some full circle moments in regards to the same type of cancer and same age of diagnosis. But I am grateful I did not have the cancer my mother had. Here's my shitty thing I've learned, all the times I thought I wanted breast augmentation when I was younger and now I realize how perfect and beautiful my natural breasts were. Sucks that I didn't realize this to its full capacity before cancer, before mastectomy. I try to tell women this exact thing now. LOVE YOURSELF NOW. There is only now to do that.

Love your blog! Chavon

Nancy

Tuesday 15th of February 2022

Chavon, I'm so sorry cancer stole your mother and gosh, you were both so young when she died. Cancer is cruel. About your realization - I get that. I wrote about wanting to be bigger in my memoir, "Cancer Was Not a Gift". That part is in the intro. Let's just say, I had some growing up to do. Loving ourselves now is good advice. Not always the easiest to follow though, right? Thank you for sharing a shitty thing you learned.

Pat Wojtek

Thursday 27th of January 2022

I have been diagnosed with TNBC 3 times. I’m now at Stage 3C. It doesn’t get easier with time. People don’t really want to hear how you are feeling. Just because they think you “look great” they think you’re doing fine. You’re not. I even sat and listened to my oncologist say how aggressive my cancer is and how it isn’t following normal clinical protocol. Then in the next second tell me I’m “cured” because I’m finished treatment for now and not showing any residual or new cancer based on scans. I truly don’t know what to think. Even my husband tunes me out. I feel so isolated and not my own. So basically cancer and it’s after effects never go away. You just get good at pretending for others so they can feel good. K

Nancy

Thursday 27th of January 2022

Pat, I hear you and I understand. Please know, you are not alone. I hope you can find a person or two to whom you can confide honestly with. Online support works too. You're always welcome to vent here. Thank you for sharing.