 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Vicki, It's perfectly normal IMO not to want to tell anyone that you have cancer. It's almost as if we are made to feel like it's our fault and we therefore feel ashamed. I was discussing HPV with a client the other day as the cause for cervical and oral cancers and he comically (I hope) said "well those sex perverts deserve it." Unfortunately not telling people you are close to is not good for the patient nor the spouse. I know I did not relish the thought of telling my family, friends, employees and clients but my wife "made me". I really felt better once everyone knew. Still it's not easy to experience. I think you will both feel relieved to get this out in the open. Believe me this will be one less thing you have to worry about as his Tx progresses.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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