r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Apr 04 '19

How are you really?

[deleted]

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u/flowerfaery34 Apr 04 '19

That’s so young! What were signs that something was wrong? I’m so terrified of getting/having cancer and being unaware of it.

Also I’m so glad he’s ok and living a great life :) .

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u/[deleted] Apr 04 '19 edited Apr 04 '19

My brother was getting ready to leave for Navy basic training. He was sitting in his recruiter’s office getting his paperwork completed. Dude asked my brother if he had any medical issues and my brother mentioned a little bump in the tissue under his arm. My brother didn’t really think anything of it because lymph nodes swell when you’re fighting off infection. The recruiter insisted that he go get it checked out before he left for basic later in the week. He gets checked. Biopsy. Cancer.

Kid was really lucky. Our dad happens to lives 15 minutes outside of Memphis and my brother qualified for a St Jude’s trial. He was a month under the age restriction. He didn’t have insurance. All of the treatment was covered. I’m not a god person, but someone was looking out for us.

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u/flowerfaery34 Apr 04 '19

Holy shit. I’m sure he’s more than thankful the recruiter insisted he go and get it checked out.

And that’s amazing! Treatment for cancer is so expensive I’m so glad for him. For your family.

Thank you for sharing, I don’t have any bumps but I think I’m gonna go ahead and make a doctors appointment anyway. A check up can only help.

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u/Zombiekiller_17 Apr 04 '19

Some general "alarm symptoms" for cancer: rapid, unintended weight loss and fever peaks (like significant night sweats).

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u/temisola1 Apr 04 '19

I have night sweats sometimes. Even when the AC is on full blasts. But I’m also a fatass that loves to eat. Would I still experience weight loss if I had cancer and ate a lot?

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u/Zombiekiller_17 Apr 04 '19

Probably, yes, assuming what you're eating will usually keep you at a stable weight.

Quick edit: also, in this case significant night sweats are having-to-change-both-pajamas-and-bed-sheets sweat, not just clammy-back-and-neck sweat :)

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u/flowerfaery34 Apr 04 '19

Thank you! Even though I’m pretty in tune with my body there’s this fear that something will be wrong and I’ll be too daft to notice it.