People Share Some Surprising Things That Changed in Their Lives After Receiving a Cancer Diagnosis

Each week on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, CURE® asks its readers to share their thoughts with a #CureConnect discussion question.

This past week, we asked: “What’s the most surprising thing that’s changed in your life since receiving a cancer diagnosis?”

Here’s what some of our readers shared:

• “I’m afraid of everything.” – A.H.
• “In 1999 I was told I had three to five years to live. I started living that day. It’s now 2021 and I am still here. A positive attitude goes a long way.” – R.C.
• “I learned to prioritize what is important.” – J.B.
• “Accepting my body despite its flaws.” – N.D.
• “The kindness of strangers, as well as the empathy between cancer survivors.” – R.G.
• “You find out who your friends and family really are. Huge surprises in who supports you, and who doesn’t.” – E.D.
• “I did lose a close friend. Told her I had cancer and poof she was gone. I lost a lot of trust in doctors and radiologists. I was told ‘we got it all, it will never be back’, but guess what, it came back. I was then told I'd be dead in three years five years ago. I don't trust or believe in anyone except myself. You have to be your own advocate.” – S.M.
• “Every damn thing.” – T.W.
• “I feel like my old self died and a new one emerged who lives in fear that it will come back. I am nervous the week of my tests. Then there's the survival guilt. Why am I in remission when little children or younger women die?” – J.L.
• “It was a surprise to lose a few friends when they learned of my cancer diagnosis. I thought they were friends. But I've since made many new friends.” – G.G.

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