What Was Your Reaction To Being Diagnosed With Cancer?

By Amanda Brunson

1 min read

What was your reaction to being diagnosed with cancer? Speaking from one cancer survivor to another, truly, how did you process the news? I know people who have never been diagnosed with cancer will ask, but when asking from a perspective of understanding the shock... it's different.

Personally, for me, I was a bit confused in the beginning. I was sad and I thought I ruined my mom's mother's day. I had no idea what chemotherapy really was, I immediately went straight into it with no explanation of the process.

All I was told is that I needed to start treatment now and not later. My diagnosis was Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). My first diagnosis was May 2010 at the age of 21 years old and my second diagnosis (relapse) was May 2015 at the age of 25.

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Katybrown98 Member
Hii I was diagnosed last year with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia(CLL) I was 21 at the time I’m 22 now, my doctors call me an anomaly because I’m one of the youngest people they have ever heard about getting it. When I first found out I laughed because I didn’t wanna believe it and when I told my mom I still just laughed(she didn’t find it funny). I don’t think I let it hit me until I got into the room for my first treatment and because of covid I was alone so it also made things a little scarier for me. I get to stop my chemo pills after august so I’m excited but it’s also bitter sweet for me because I found out my cancer is incurable and it’s not a matter of IF it’ll come back but WHEN it will come back so here lately I’ve been handling things a little worse than before. 
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 (((BIG HUGS))) There was a time when I initially found out in the very beginning of hearing my diagnoses I had just got my hair sewn in and I called my hair dresser and asked for my money back because I knew what was going to happen to my hair and I as well laughed about it, (she thought I was joking did not think it was funny and I told her no, I wasn't joking), but when my hair started coming out....it was ummm mmmm....thats all I can say. It's hard especially as a young adult dealing with cancer but also trying to grow as a young adult to being an independent adult all at the same time. Then you hear your doctor tell you your cancer is incurable, that's a very hard & tough pill to swallow. I see where you are coming from and this situation is a take it day by day. Please know that my inbox is always open to you if you want to talk or talk privately.There's a lot that could run through one's mind. Although, we had different cancer diagnosis and experiences I'm still here for you as well as the <a href='https://blood-cancer.com' target='_blank'>Blood-cancer.com</a> tribe <3<3<3 Your not alone Amanda Panda (Team member) #AYAcancersurvivors
Katybrown98 Member
Thank you so much!