When I was first diagnosed, I cried. I cried for good solid week. My husband let me get it out because as I explained to him "I have to feel this in my own way and get it all out before I can set to work at getting better and beating this." MY doctors agreed and told him to allow me that time to "grieve" after such a diagnosis. Once I got it all out of my system, I set to work. I set my mind right about not letting it beat me and people seeing me positive helped them to not worry about me. I didn't want people feeling sorry for me. I didn't want people to be uneasy around me. I still don't. I poked fun at myself the entire time because my mantra had always been "Well, it could always be worse!" and then I'd find something worse to think about like for example "Well, it could all always be worse! I COULD be in the hospital instead of at home with my family during my treatments." or "Well, it could always be worse. I could be mistake for a cue ball in pool game while shopping!" or something like that just to get them to laugh and be at ease around me. Once they were at ease, then they knew it was okay to joke and laugh with me. Their laughter and jokes and me poking fun at myself kept my spirits up. THAT was what helped me get through the tougher times of my treatments.

The best think people could do was just ... treat me "normal". One woman at my daughters school rubbed my fuzzy head (hair just stared back) and we just laughed. She rubbed it like it was good luck. Also my brother was laid off at the time and came w me to about 1/3 of my treatments. He was not extra sensitive. We made fun of each other. Picked on each other. Just normal life. That's what made me feel best. Not treating me like I was "sick".

My little brother had cancer (testicular) 13 years ago at age 30 and it almost killed him. He and I talked for hours when I was diagnosed and we both have a huge sense of humor so we laughed together. My little tumor was nothing compared to the one that they removed from his spine. Yup, it went from his testicle 2 feet up his spine. I was the one that made the joke about mine being NOTHING compared to his and we laughed really hard. It took me out of that initial "death sentence" mode you can get into when they tell you that you have the Big C.

He never made me feel like my cancer was nothing compared to his, he just inspired me and supported me. And still does because we are both still here <3

Ive never cried yet , i think if i do it wil make it real ? Or i want stop !😕ive just got on with it and not shown my boys anything negative just been positive and yes have laughed at myself

No I felt I had to be positive for them to give me the possitveness back. Not their fault, we are going through it.. if you don't have cancer you wouldn't understand. It's a lonely situation which you have to deal with your self x