Both parents have cancer: how do you cope?

How do you cope when both parents have cancer? Nota reflects on how she coped with her dad’s cancer, and then years later her mom’s cancer.

I never really subscribed to the whole ‘I never thought this would happen to me’ sentiment. If something is likely to happen to anyone, then why not me? So when my father was diagnosed with lung cancer seven years ago, I didn’t curse the universe for our misfortune.

In early Spring, my mother felt a growth in her right breast. I can only imagine how scary that feels. She was subsequently diagnosed with an aggressive form of hormone-related breast cancer. Talk about a double whammy, seven years apart. Cancer. Seriously? WTF? Both parents have cancer!

It was more than a little bit harder to be as understanding the second time around: like seriously, what’s your beef with us, universe? But what’s a girl to do? Well, she needs to write a list. A list of the different ways those two curveballs were dealt with. Two different moments in time, united by one-word cancer and my family.

Then. Seven years ago, I was twenty years of age. Not five, not ten, not even 15. So, to learn about my dad’s cancer through a slip-up, an inadvertent remark, namely my aunt making an offhand comment, stung a little. And by a little, I mean quite a lot. Especially considering that the doctor’s original prognosis was that he had about 17 months to live.

When was anyone going to tell me? At his wake? Fret not, though, friends; daddy is still alive and kicking. Had I not accidentally found out about it, my parents would have kept me in the dark until they saw how he responded to treatment. To this day, I’m convinced they’ve only let on to me about 60 percent of the entire situation.

There's no right or wrong way to cope when both parents have cancer. Click To Tweet

Now. With my mom’s cancer, everything was different. From day one, I was involved in everything, even before we knew for sure that the growth was malignant. I’ve escorted her to doctor’s appointments, operations, tests, and treatments. I have learned and can flawlessly pronounce cancer terminology like I’m a freaking pro ( hit me up, Grey’s Anatomy casting directors). I have gone wig shopping and waited in line for hours to get the needed drugs and documents.

Speaking of documents. The paperwork involved is climate-change level serious. And I now know everything that’s going on inside my mum’s body. Everything. This is a little weird, but, and you may call me competitive, I hoped I’d get to be the only thing to grow inside my mother (yes, I am an only child, shush).

My takeaway: then + now. Cancer is a scary thing. Finding out both parents have cancer is even more terrifying. But I’ve found out that the more involved I was allowed to be, the more research I could do, the better.

I could get informed and ask questions. Knowing what the beast looks like, knowing its name, and seeing what’s being done to fight it, makes it all the less terrifying.

Then. Seven years ago, when I heard my dad had cancer, I spent so much of my energy being angry. Because no one told me straight away, I didn’t feel the sadness hit till quite a bit later. At this point, I cried. Once. One night, that was it. And then I felt guilty. Why didn’t I cry more? Did I not care enough? Was the idea I had in my head of being a highly emotional person a lie? So then I would fake it for the world or blame denial. Eventually, when I saw my father was doing better, I stuck with, “I just knew it in my bones he’d be fine since the very beginning.” And that was that.

Now. Then my mom’s diagnosis came around, and, boy oh boy, was there crying. And laughing. And getting angry again. Because now, I had the emotional knowledge to deal with it. Unbeknownst to me, I had acquired and practiced it internally, silently over the past seven years. Dad, with his wonderful attitude, his jokes, and his immense innate strength, had created a platform for us to talk, and share, and feel freely, and ultimately overcome. Finally, I felt no guilt. It was not about not caring; it was about not knowing. And having that common safe space has allowed me to help my mother more efficiently and help myself.

My takeaway: then + now. There’s no right or wrong way to cope when both parents have cancer. I cried when I needed to cry; still do occasionally. I punched a wall when that’s what I needed – it was not the first time either -but it’s not the place or time for that story. I laughed and went out dancing with my friends on the days I felt optimistic, and I stayed up all night scared and grieving on the days I didn’t. And it was all okay, and all necessary for my survival.

Seven years ago, I would have never guessed I’d be making this list. Nor would I, two months ago. But here we are, and you know what? While there are good and bad days, I’ve never felt stronger. Stronger into who I am as a woman and a daughter, stronger into who we are as a family, and confident in navigating this crazy roller-coaster called life.

The courage to overcome hardship is not of limited supply, upon which I draw each day until it runs out. It’s a muscle, and the more exercise it gets, the more it reinforces my character; it preps me for dealing with anything that may get thrown my way. And if we’re honest, it’s the only kind of workout I do anyway.