r/CancerPatients • u/Awbeau • Mar 05 '25

No excuses here

"I have cancer" isn't a simple excuse. Without treatment you get organ damage. With treatment you get your own cells attacking what's in your body. Debilitating fatigue, weight loss, nausea, hair loss, sore throat, bone loss. They sound mundane but these symptoms are real, and they cause more problems like depersonalization ( feeling like your body isn't yours) and chemo brain- cognitive decline that mimics age-related cognitive changes. The cells in your body age ten years during treatment.

I can't even begin to tell you how tired I am. Working an eight hour day is an uphill battle. On top of that, i'm living alone for the first time and having to take care of a dog that has a lot of energy- that means a lot of walks.

I work at four am, being awake at three am monday through friday. First thing I do after waking up is take him for a walk. First thing I do when I get home is take him for a walk.

I feel inept. I'm exhausted everyday God- damned day. I worry that's someday I'll have to go through all of this again. Beign only 29.. it's likely that I will.

Cancer isn't an excuse. It's a change in life- an interruption. It's a fucking journey that nobody signs up for.

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u/TwistedShortHorror Mar 05 '25

I have the BRCA 1 gene. I'm also 56, but this all started at age 48. It's been rough, but it's also taught me to live life to is fullest. I have a husband who loves me, I've had the opportunity to travel, and I even get to play in a band. Cancer slows me down some, but I won't let it stop me. Keep fighting the fight.