CANCER: A CHAPTER IN OUR LIFE, NOT THE WHOLE STORY

Cancer survivors provide their tips to keep healthy and aware

by Makri Maria

Cancer is not just a diagnosis; it represents a complex journey filled with challenges, growth, and resilience.It is widely known that cancer refers to a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. These cells can form tumors or infiltrate healthy tissue. With over 200 types of cancer affecting different parts of the body, such as the lungs, breast, colon, and skin, the challenges faced by patients are immense.

People who have experienced cancer often end up identifying themselves solely as patients or survivors. Are we defined by our illnesses, or do they reveal the strength we already possess?

A better insight will be provided by cancer survivors who are willing to share their experiences. They will offer detailed accounts of their difficulties, emotions, and advice on coping with an illness like this, while also trying to enjoy life as much as possible.

Interview with anna

I: Would you be comfortable sharing your name, age, and a brief overview of your educational background? (or we can keep it anonymous)

A: “Yes, my name is Anna, I am 58 years old and I studied History Archaeology “

I: Do you have a family?

A: “Yes, I have 2 children, one boy and one girl and of course my husband. “

I: How old were you when you found out about the cancer?

A: “I was 47 years old, when I found out about the cancer”

I: How long were you ill?

A: “The first time I was diagnosed, was July of 2012 and the second time, February of 2013 and approximately it lasted one year both times.”

I:What type of cancer did you have?

A: “The first one was breast cancer and the second one lymph node cancer in the neck”

I: How did you discover it?

A: “The first one, I discovered through my annual checkup and the second one also in the same way, but I had also Hashimoto’s disease and that’s why I looked into it more “

I: How did you feel when the doctor told you about the diagnosis?

A: “I felt the ground fall out from under me”

I: What were your first thoughts?

A: “That I would die and I would leave my kids behind all alone “

I: How did you cope with it?

A: “At first with panic, meaning crying a lot, being angry and disappointed, and of course fear. After that I took my time to process it and after I got the first results from the treatment, which were good, I started getting encouraged. I was praying a lot too. My hope was back. The second time I got cancer I was calmer, because the type of cancer that I had, was easier to deal with”

I: How did others treat you after your illness started?

A: “I had emotional support from friends, especially from my best friend Soula was coming with me in doctor’s appointments and my son’s godfathers, who were calling me every day to see how I was. My husband was supportive as well, but he was scared and lost too. My children did not know at the beginning about the disease, they found out five years later, when based on the protocol a doctor is feeling safe about his patient, that the cancer is definitely gone. Even though my older son might had suspected something.”

I: How was life during the cancer journey, what changed?

A :“I was feeling everything in half, I was insecure and in constant fear. I was looking through my window the sky, the sun and I thought if I will ever have the chance to view it again, to be together with my family for Easter holidays.”

I: What was the side effects of the treatment?

A: “I was constantly tired, without energy, I could not sleep well”.

I: Did you seek help from a specialist, such as a psychologist or a priest? If yes, who and why?

A: “I wanted really badly, but the cost of the treatment was so big, that I could not afford a psychologist as well, so that is why I did not go to therapy. I went to a priest, but only before each radiation therapy, so as to pray to God.”

I: Once it was treated, how did you feel? What did you do after it?

A: “I felt relieved and happy when it was cured and I was setting small goals, like watching my kids finish the school or graduate.”

I: Has this experience changed your perspective on life and how you view things in general?

A: “Even though everyone says that after that traumatic experience they change their way of thinking or daily lives, I still continued to think the same way as before, with anxiety and agony for things. My perspective did not change at all.”

I: What advice would you give to your past self and to those who are still struggling with this illness?

A: “Each case and type of cancer is unique, so I cannot give a general advice, but as far as I am concerned, I would tell to my past self not to be so afraid, because everything worked out at the end and I should have been calmer. Those kinds of difficulties, need to be handled with patience and calmness.”

I: How is life after the cancer, are you afraid that will appear again?

A:“Always, even when I am getting the flu, my mind goes there, I learned to analyse the facial expressions of the doctors, during reading my results of examination.”

I: What advice or thoughts would you offer to people who are stressed by the difficulties of everyday life?

A: “Not to put pressure in themselves about meaningless issues.”

I: Okay, thank you very much for sharing your experience with me in this interview!

Interview with anonymous

I: Would you be comfortable sharing your name, age, and a brief overview of your educational background? (or we can keep it anonymous)

A: “I would like to keep my anonymity, but I will share my age, I am 25 years old and I study Tourism Management, in which I did a gap year, during my illness. “

I: Do you have a family?

A : “Yes, it is my mother and I. Oh and our three dogs! “

I: How old were you when you found out about the cancer?

A: “I was 24 years old, when I found out about the cancer.”

I: How long were you ill?

A : “The time I was diagnosed, was May of 2023 and approximately it lasted six months.”

I: What type of cancer did you have?

A: “I had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system.”

I: How did you discover it?

A: “I discovered it through my beard care, I felt something strange, like a lump near my throat and that’s why I decided to look into it more.

At first, I thought it was related to my dental health or skin issues., but then I did some more detailed exams and a surgery to remove this lump. The doctor who took over my case, did a biopsy and then announced to me that I had cancer. The whole process took 1 month and a half, until we found out. “

I: How did you feel when the doctor told you about the diagnosis?

A : “To be honest, I did not feel anything at all. I knew something was off the minute that I started to do the examinations. When the doctor made the announcement, I felt as if my soul left my body and I was watching, what was happening as a third-party observer.”

I: What were your first thoughts?

A:“As I said before, I did not have any thoughts or feelings. It was like, this is not happening to me. I could not feel. “

I: How did you cope with it?

A: “I do not know if I cope with it the right way. I just thought that I have to suck it up, as we say, meaning to endure the process until it was over, since I already knew it would only last for 6 months.”

I: How did others treat you after your illness started?

A: “I had emotional support from friends, especially from my best friends, they handled the situation really well, with discreetness. Of course, my mother was really supportive as well, which was really difficult for her, as we have lost my dad from a different type of cancer, who ironically was treated at the same hospital as me. This made me more worried about her.”

I: How was life during the cancer journey, what changed?

A: “It was definitely hard, I was going to my chemotherapies two times per month and every time I was coming back home even more tired, but I had my dog with me. It really helped me to keep me sane and it was as if he knew that something was off. My perspective changed at some degree, I became calmer and decided to prioritize myself more.”

I: What was the side effects of the treatment?

A: “I was mostly tired, had dizziness, nausea and I could not eat easily. Fortunately, I did not have so much hair loss as it was expected in most cases”.

I: Did you seek help from a specialist, such as a psychologist or a priest? If yes, who and why?

A: “I did not think that I needed one, even though I had a few call sessions with my therapist from time to time, like three calls in three months. He suggested to me, to start sessions more regularly, but I did not think it was essential.”

I: Once it was treated, how did you feel? What did you do after it?

A: “Of course, I felt happy, but to be honest I did not feel like it has ended yet. I have not realized it.”

I: Has this experience changed your perspective on life and how you view things in general?

A: “As I said before, yes definitely in most things. It made me realise the importance of life.”

I: What advice would you give to your past self and to those who are still struggling with this illness?

A: “Each case and type of cancer is unique, so I cannot give a certain piece of advice. In my opinion, those diseases are not something that you can not give advice for. Even to my past self I could not, because of the fact, that it was not the verbal consolation that helped me, such as <>, but the facts.”

I: How is life after cancer, are you afraid that will appear again?

A: “It is not like that, maybe because I have not realized it yet. Of course, I made some changes in my life, about priorities.”

I: Okay, thank you very much for sharing your experience with me in this interview!

To conclude, the stories shared by cancer survivors in our interview reveal the remarkable strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming challenges. The psychological and physical resilience required to confront such a serious illness is evident in each case. Despite the physical struggles, doubts about the effectiveness of treatments, and the inevitable psychological pressure, these individuals sought out small glimpses of light in their daily lives. They found strength in their loved ones and in their own capacity to endure. Their experiences highlight the crucial importance of psychological and emotional support, of holding onto hope, and the need to care for one’s physical health. It emphasizes that battling cancer is not just about medical treatment, but also about mental well-being. This serves as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, life can remain full of hope and meaning. As Dumbledore wisely said in Harry Potter once, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”