How much does superstition play in your cancer world? Is it or was it ever a factor?
It was in our years with the beast. We parked on the same level, on the same side of the parking lot at the cancer center for every appointment. If there came a day when there wasn’t a spot open, one of us would say something like, “The day’s starting off wrong already!”
During Leroy’s chemo days, I would leave the infusion room just as his drip would begin and drive down to a little bakery at Fells Point. They had those cookies with big chocolate drops on top and Leroy loved them. They may not have had medicinal powers, but they had good karma in them, and that’s all I cared about. Those cookies did just as much for his spirit as the chemo did to the cancer, or at least, it seemed that way.
We always saw patients walking around with lucky pillows, stuffed animals, good luck charms. If cancer does anything, it gives a person permission to believe in just about anything that will make a difference in how you face your disease.
My little Webster’s dictionary defines the word ‘superstition’ this way, “Beliefs based on ignorance, fear of the unknown, or trust in magic.”
I’d say someone in the Webster’s family has faced cancer.
June 30, 2011 @ 3:37 am
It’s always up to a person where they could get their strengths. Hoping that everything will be okay it’s either having their lucky charms or simply having their fingers crossed!
June 29, 2011 @ 5:08 pm
I heard good news and I’ve heard bad news. Nothing that I can recall influenced the news I received. I have prayed before, during and after my scans and all of the days leading up to the scans. Ironically or if you are a Christian and believe in the power of prayer and that prayers are answered (not always as we pray them however), I have been blessed numerous times when the news was bad. My melanoma battles have required me to get scans quarterly….one scan in 2003 showed that a tumor had engulfed my left kidney. Even though the news was devastating at the time, the scans and hence my melanoma probably saved my life. My left kidney was removed and I have had no problems with renal cell carcinoma. The same was true in 2008 for my lung cancer diagnosis. The news was devastating but my recurrences of melanoma probably saved my life. I continue my daily prayers for strength, grace, mercy and God’s healing power in whatever form or fashion it comes. How odd that Stage III melanoma has been my lucky charm. I would much rather have a lucky cap but melanoma seems to be here to stay.
June 29, 2011 @ 6:23 pm
Al,
With me mammograms have become my “lucky charm” if you will. Of course in 1992 it lead to my original diagnosis of breast cancer (early detection). In Dec 2010, a mammogram lead to a breast MRI because of something suspicious looking (turned out benign, thankfully!). However, that MRI also detected a spot on the sternum which turned out to be the return of the multiple myeloma. I don’t dwell on how we’d have learned about it if not for the mammogram, but mammos are my lucky charm for sure. I’m on the path back to remission and NED. Thank you mammo!
June 29, 2011 @ 6:45 pm
And some idiot doctors don’t want women to get mammos on a routine basis just like some oncologist say “wait until you have symptoms” regarding scans. Trying to catch cancer early is good for everyone especially the patient. Continue the mammos!!!
June 28, 2011 @ 6:41 pm
I can’t say that we had any particular superstitions but I avoided doctor’s appointments on Friday the 13th at all cost. Superstitions, lucky charms….whatever gets you through and gives you comfort.