What did you learn?

2943

After you ‘finished treatments(surgery, radiation, chemo, immunotherapy)? Looking back, what did you learn?

judithj

Always: Take someone with you to consultations. You can't remember everything!
And, keep asking for second opinions, clinical trials - whatever will keep you moving
forward!
All the treatments listed above will cause changes, please accept that because we cannot 'go back' - going forward is now our path. Friends/family and sites like this become our support group. Best wishes to all

Rustysmom

Aside from all the nuts and bolts stuff about navigating the whole cancer treatment maze, the biggest take away I had was Empathy. For the first time I really understood at a visceral level the personal devastation and trauma this disease can wreak on an individual and a family. I speak from not only my own personal experience with cancer, but from my time spent with my sister who recently passed from metastatic breast cancer. Before my experience, I thought I understood, but I really didn't have a clue.

triciab

Along the treatment path, you encounter so many people. You never know what any of them is going through at any given moment - so I learned that to extend grace to those who say or do something that feels wrong or hurtful (so many well-intentioned comments which nearly crushed my soul). If cancer gave me a gift, it was to better discern those situations where grace is required but to also walk away from situations/people when needed. It's allowed me to release anger and frustration and maybe extend a hand or kind word where I may have just walked away before. There is a tangible reduction in stress. With that being said, I also use my voice more effectively to advocate for myself and others when something doesn't feel right.

MarcieB

I think we cannot help but be changed. Our bodies may be weaker - more vulnerable, but our spirits may well be stronger. I know mine is. I agree with triciab - I also feel I can better discern what is important for me in this stage of my life. I have more confidence in my decisions and I can brush off small annoyances, (at least most of the time!).

banditwalker

I learned that all my other problems are tiny in comparison. Since cancer I've had some of the biggest challenges of my life and I ended up handling it all with great strength.