Well, I for one love these threads, I was feeling alone until I came back to the forum. My family I think are the biggest idiots of all, I have heard everything from them, like "its over now, so get over it", or how about if you only ate raw onions or garlic like me you would be fine. Picky eaters always get cancer...:) and yes, the all time favorite, "God never gives us a burden we can't carry" like we have a choice..

Are you serious?? I had no idea one type of cancer was more 'real' than other types! Who knew??

But really, what kind of idiot thinks that??

In a similar vein,about 2 months after I finished treatment I was at a board meeting for a community group for which I serve as a Director. One of the other directors was talking about how a guy he has had a bunch of battles with over the years had been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. (Keep in mind that all of the members knew about my battle). He blurts ourt: "Serves him right. Cancer is God's way of punishing people for their sins." Really??? Geez, I knew I smoked and drank a little, but that's a tad harsh, don't ya think?

I think because people have never heard much about the oral cancers, they don't think it's all that much. When I was 1st diagnosed I was telling some of my closer friends at work, giving them the facts before the rumors got started. One woman with whom I've worked 17 years, been on bowling teams with and all, asked "well, is that really serious. I mean, it's not something you can die from or anything like that, is it?". But then, really, how bad does tonsil cancer sound?

I disagree. People are idiots and most have a bad habit of inserting their foot in their mouths. My Dad who passed away two years ago of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma told me to let it all go...he also, always told me that you are screwed when you are diagnosed with oral cancer. Who knew that I would be touched with it? The big C is raunchy no matter which way you look at it.

By the way, my Dad was a saint on earth...God most certainly did not punish him for past sins...whoever said this takes POS award.

Jeff, I would have invited that nitwit outside for a private talk, Very private. LOL Then educated him.

Hey, these were educated idiots, one is a high school teacher her husband a college professor...go figure!
People only think in terms of the cancers they hear about in the media and unless they are touched by it themselves, they just don't know. I have had so many people just look the other way when I tell them and say they have never heard of it, as though it does not exist..oh well!

Educated idiots.... I like it.
Still that is more palatable than the self righteous morons invoking some deity's wrath.

M

Just before starting treatment I ran into an old friend, who did not know I had cancer. She was telling me about a mutual friends father and his battle with cancer. I just kinda told her, so do I. She looked at me, blinked twice and said, "No he has it "REAL BAD" You just have to shake your head.

oh yes, that one..there was no type of chemo available for my cancer and i was extremely lucky to dodge the radiation, as it only gave me a very small margin of reoccurance protection, so we opted out of it and to this point we made the right decision for me. But, I often hear from well meaning jerks, "well you didn't have any treatment, so you must not have had real cancer" omg, invasive surgery that changes everything in your life, was not enough for them...LOL