Goodbye to Cancer – a letter about healing and moving forward

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Dear Cancer,

I am writing this letter in the hope that by doing so, I can let you go and move forward with my life.

It’s been nearly a year now since you shocked me with your introduction and changed me forever. All of a sudden, I was ripped from normality and thrown onto your fast-moving train, with no choice and no way to get off.

Despite constantly asking, I was given no explanation as to why you chose me, and many questions remain unanswered. I often wondered if I was somehow at fault for you entering my body, but I’ve now accepted that I’ll probably never understand your reasons — and I must make my peace with that.

In the last year, you have consumed my every thought and taken over my life. You have changed me in every possible way, and the physical and mental scars you leave behind will always be a reminder of you.

You took my laughter and replaced it with sadness and in my darkest of days, I doubted if my eyes would ever sparkle again. I have been forced to completely reinvent myself, and at times this has left me feeling lost, helpless, and unsure of the path I should take from here.

You brought worry, fear, and anxiety into my life — uncertainty about the future and trauma from the past. Worst of all is the pain you brought to those who love me most. They had to watch me suffer, and I know the hurt and distress that caused them.

Despite all this, I have come to a point where I no longer feel bitterness towards you. To give you my hatred would still allow you to have a hold on my life — and that is not what I want. You need to know that the actions of those who picked me up when you knocked me down were so much more powerful than you could ever be.

Your ambition may have been to end my life, but your path of destruction was cut short by everyday heroes who worked tirelessly to save it. Your visit allowed me to see firsthand the incredible work these people do to clean up the mess you leave behind.

Poison may have been pumped into my veins, but my body wasn’t destroyed. The radioactive burns might hurt, but they will heal — and so will I.

So finally, Cancer, I want you to know that although you came close to breaking my spirit, you didn’t succeed. In fact, the person I am now becoming is tougher, stronger, and more resilient — because if I can survive you, I can survive anything.

Cancer, it’s time for you and me to say goodbye. Please leave me now, with the peace of knowing that you will never return.

With strength, hope, and freedom,

A cancer survivor. 

  • A great letter  and I hope it's helped you writing about how you feel. 

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  • Thanks so much. Writing about my experience helped me release my feelings and was a part of my recovery mentally. Six years later I wanted  to share it in the hope that it might help others. All the best to you xx 

  • Thank you for writing

    I cant  say goodbye mines a constantly  reoccurring  cancer.

    It snuck back no signs no warnings last july that 2nd major surgery was huge.

    I'm not good saying how feel but your letter described it so well.

  • Thanks. Facing it again after July is really tough and a worry that never leaves. I’m glad my words helped in some small way. 

  • Thank you

    Yes unfortunately  it doesn't  good news 1 year scan markers clear( not dye waiting on testing allergy find contrast can tolerate)

    So small tumours don't show my CA125 didnt rise with my reoccurrence  last July.

    So oncologist  was great 3 monthly close monitoring  until hit 2 years free thrn 6 monthly.

    Positive mind 1 day at time trying not focus but good talk about it.

    Take care