To some people, can getting Cancer actually be a gift?!
Question: I don't mean any disrespect by this question.
It seems to me, and I have seen this with family members, that people struck with Cancer can sometimes adopt the most positive outlook on life as a result of their disease. It's as if they were struck in the butt by a lightning bolt, and suddenly realize the preciousness of life.
To people like myself who live life day to day, I think we take a lot of things for granted. We lose track of the things that are really important. We let time slip by thinking there will be time later. Sooner or later, time slips by and we find that we have let everything go, and didn't live life to the fullest.
Nobody wants Cancer, and it's a horrible experience. But to some people, getting Cancer really makes them appreciate every single day, and makes them prioritize the things that really matter the most in life.
Answers: I don't mean any disrespect by this question.
It seems to me, and I have seen this with family members, that people struck with Cancer can sometimes adopt the most positive outlook on life as a result of their disease. It's as if they were struck in the butt by a lightning bolt, and suddenly realize the preciousness of life.
To people like myself who live life day to day, I think we take a lot of things for granted. We lose track of the things that are really important. We let time slip by thinking there will be time later. Sooner or later, time slips by and we find that we have let everything go, and didn't live life to the fullest.
Nobody wants Cancer, and it's a horrible experience. But to some people, getting Cancer really makes them appreciate every single day, and makes them prioritize the things that really matter the most in life.
You not only appreciate every single day, you appreciate every waking moment. Sometimes I wake thru the night and just sit and listen to the night sounds. Everything is enhanced, emotions, fears, laughter are all brought to a new exciting height. Anxieties, petty problems, annoyances, are replaced with calm, excitement and shrugs. Its basically, "who cares if I don't get the dishes done tonight" instead of "I am so tired but HAVE to do these dishes yet" Also who cares if something gets broken.. it is only a material item. There are so many things in life not worth fretting over that I never realized before my diagnosis with terminal, inoperable cancer. The whole world opened up.. the grass was greener, winters more manageable, the sound of trees rustling in the wind, a bird 'smiling' cuz its spring and new babies will be born soon. Just everything!!
But must stress when dx first hit. it was devastating, the world at that time was dark and dismal. The fear of the unknown is a very scary thing. Once I learned more about my cancer and dismissed the fact that the doctors told me I only had a few months left in this world I was able to face it, and fight it.
The most important emotion is heightened. To say "I Love You" and to hold my grown sons when they visit is the warmest feeling I have had since they were babies.
Lightning bolt yes... but the lightening filled me with all kinds of good jolts and energies. Its a whole new world and I am loving every minute of it!!
Yes,I understand what you mean.
Actually, you will here a lot of survivors say that even though its a horrible thing, they wouldnt trade it for the world. I wouldnt. I wouldnt be who I am today without these experiences. I have learned so much. Came to appreciate so much.
And if not for my cancer, I may never have had the chance to find the love of my life.
I know a lot of people havent reached the point yet where they can look and see good from the cancer, but if you give yourself the chance, something good will always come of it.
To me cancer was NOT a gift, and I've never met anyone who's had cancer who feels that way.
I liked my life and who I was before cancer. I'm in remission now, but I live with the fear of a recurrence or metastasis that can come at any time. I always say I'm fit and well, and I am, but my life is more limited than it was because of pain and lymphoedema which restrict certain activities.
Cancer may yet rob me of the retirement I've worked all my life for and the old age I assumed I'd have. It robbed me of my livelihood.
And I'm one of the lucky ones. Lucky because I had 50 good years and didn't get struck by this filthy disease when young, and lucky to be in remission. Lucky that my cancer hasn't yet spread.
If it's a gift it's an unwanted gift I wish I could return or exchange.
I wouldn't call it a gift, but it causes people to re-evaluate what is REALLY important- family, friends, relationships, and it usually causes them to become closer to God, which can change a persons' outlook.
It was for me.. I had prostate cancer in 2005 and went to Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda California. I am not an overly religious person but Loma Linda is a Seven Day Adventist community, university and hospital. They cured my cancer with Proton Radiation ( has no side effects and a 90% cure rate. The best part was meeting the people of Loma Linda... Most were vegetarians, extremely nice and very helpful.. They never pushed or mentioned their religion one time while i was there.. They just gave me the best treatment for my cancer any one could get....It was like being on a real nice three month vacation...The thing that sticks out in my mind the most is the people of Loma Linda University Medical Center.. nicest people I have ever met. It was sort of unbelievable having a horrible disease like cancer, being cured and having such a nice experience.
Hear hear to what lo_mcg said.
I made it a point to appreciate life before I had cancer. I always stopped to smell the roses.
Some people may use cancer as a tool to improve their outlook on life. For me, it will mean living with the fear of recurrence every day, for whatever time I have left. If that's a gift, I'd like to know where the Return desk is.
My father has cancer and i don't consider it a gift if it was i would take it away from him.
He has changed since he was diagnosed but only in the sense that he is living each day as if it was his last and doing all of the things that he was "waiting" to do.
I live life day to day and live for the moment. What if you die tomorrow? Then at least you can say "well i gave it my best shot".
I understand what you mean, but I think you needed to use another word besides gift. I have changed since I was prior to my cancer diagnosis. However, I would not have met so many wonderful people, had I not contracted this disease.