- February 15, 2022
- Events, News
In January, we launched our “Dear Cancer” campaign. We gave our Wellspring Edmonton members the opportunity to speak directly to the disease that has significantly impacted their own lives and the lives of their loved ones. There isn’t a right or wrong way to talk about cancer. But it’s good to talk. Sometimes strength comes from knowing that you are not alone. These are their stories – raw, emotional, and beautifully unfiltered. The letters demonstrate their frustration, anger, strength, resilience, and grit. We feel privileged to give our members that voice, and we’d like to share all submissions.
Disclaimer: Please note that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the below submissions belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Wellspring Edmonton. All letters were submitted anonymously.
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Dear Cancer,
I was diagnosed in December 2021 and waiting to start my journey with surgery in March 2022. Radiation? Chemo? Don’t know for sure yet but let me tell you that YOU will not win.
My mom battled you for 6 years, my stepdad for 2, while they may have lost the battle, this time you picked the wrong warrior.
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Dear Cancer,
You may have taken my hair, you may have made me sick, and lose friends but you will never take my hope and positivity.
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Dear Cancer,
It’s been almost 5 years since I beat you. I’m scared everyday you will come back, but now you have showed up in my mom. We have different cancers.
Mine was breast, my mom’s is in her blood but you know that. Just to let you know cancer, we are ready to fight you again. My mom will be getting a bone marrow transplant March 1st.
I want you to know cancer that you will not beat her either. The odds are against her. She has a one in six chance of having any kind of life post transplant.
But she will beat you Cancer and I’ll be there to help her. She will be the 1 of 6.
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Dear Cancer,
I met you two years ago. During your stay we weathered the early stages of the Covid 19 pandemic. Just so you know; I really didn’t need the company.
However, at your insistence my caretaker and I had to navigate the rules and regulations of going out during the lockdown so I could get treatment.
On the bright side, I did get to go out and hang with some real nice folks at the Cross Cancer Institute. They worked hard so you wouldn’t want to stay with me. I love them for that.
You also taught me a couple of things; patience is the first that comes to mind. The others are to be mindful to care for myself and to be kind to others.
I know we haven’t seen each other since March 2021. You are in the back of my mind though.
I would like to ask something of you. Since June 2021 you have been bothering my sister in-law and a friend of mine. They have their Cancer teams working to make you disappear. They will be successful.
So you might as well give up. Just go away, leave everyone alone please.
Eventually there will be a permanent cure for you so why not just cease and desist any further attempts to visit anyone. You are going to lose.
You have been warned!!
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Dear Cancer,
I will win. I have won.
You will not beat me 
.
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Dear Cancer,
You should be ashamed of yourself.
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Dear Cancer,
You sure threw a curb ball our way, not just cancer, but one which is the immune system is particularly challenged just in time for Covid 19 so our life doubly sucks.
Once we get thru the transplant and revaccinated our journey will have been nearly 3 1/2 years of isolating and no travel. What a way to start retirement. Grateful for the years we may get out of this though.
Not sure we have learned much but it is a tough and humbling experience one doesn’t understand, until they live it everyday.
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Dear Cancer,
I hate you. You took away the person who meant the most to me. He didn’t deserve all that you put him through. Stop hurting people that I love.
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Dear Cancer,
Over the years you’ve entered the lives of family and friends. Some were able to fight you off and others just got too tired to fight your relentlessness.
5 years ago you decided to invade MY personal space!
You’ve hurt me mentally, emotionally, physically and financially!
Yes, this has taken a toll on my relationships as well, but I am grateful to have a wonderful and supportive husband. Family and friends are supportive but they can’t fully understand my daily struggles.
The medication I must continue to take everyday to keep you under control comes with its own set of challenges, such as extreme fatigue, muscle pain, nausea, and more.
I am working on learning to live with the major fatigue that stops me from doing a lot of things that I used to enjoy. There are days it is even hard to make dinner.
It has taken me a very long time to come to terms with what my life is now, but I will NEVER accept what you have done to my life!
Some people say that having Cancer was a blessing as they now look at life differently. They’ve learned to slow down, smell the flowers and see what is really important.
Has my way of thinking changed?…..yes, but you’ve taken the lives of young and old, so I cannot totally agree with that perspective.
I CAN NOT and WILL NOT thank you for entering my life and you need to just #&*% @^^ and stay away from all the people that I know and love!
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Dear Cancer,
Please let me get healthy again 
.
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Dear Cancer,
I’ve battled you twice now in the last two years and guess what: I win! I’m more resilient than you, I’m more adaptable than you, I’m stronger than you, I’m smarter than you, I’m no longer afraid of you, and I’m happy to finally say goodbye to you.
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Dear Cancer,
You found me twice and twice I beat you!!!! You are treatable and beatable! For all those just diagnosed … you can beat this terrible disease!
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Dear Cancer,
I’m taking my body back!
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Dear Cancer,
Well, I don’t know why I’m addressing you as “dear” because you certainly aren’t dear to me. You have, however, taken some dear ones away from me and my family and friends. And a couple of years ago you chose to pay a visit to me as well – but I took a stand against you and told you you weren’t welcome. I fought you and won! And I will continue to fight against you – for me and everyone else you encounter. All the doctors, nurses, health care workers, researchers, donors, supporters, family, friends – they will continue the fight, too, and, in the end, you, cancer, will not be the one that survives. We will conquer you.
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Dear Cancer,
Where are you lurking? I’ve run you off once, but I know you will try again. You destroy what you covet, Life itself. I hate you.
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Dear Cancer,
You are the rude, obnoxious, uninvited guest at a party!
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Dear Cancer,
You stole my future and my hope. You made by body betray me. You brought me to my knees but I am resilient and now I am beginning to stand up and yell to the world I am here. Dear cancer you are not ME!
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Dear Cancer,
When I found out, I was by myself and needed to drive home across the city. Shaking I pulled into a parking lot and cried and continued on home. Put my head in the sand until my appointment with the surgeon only to find it had spread already and the order of things would change. I went through everything I was told to and was declared cancer free! Except I’m not free. My body has tons of problems it didn’t before and I’m scared every time I have a new ache, pain or symptom. Then Covid hit and I am terrified to even go see the doctor about anything. I found I am not brave, or strong. I am afraid. Thanks for that. Depression lurks but I fight it back with crafts and the people from Wellspring.
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Dear Cancer,
You were never invited to come into my life and you were certainly not a welcome guest!
But you crashed my life nevertheless and you changed me for the better!
I knew I appreciated life but you taught me even bigger love for myself, my loved ones and you made me realize how to cherish each moment on this earth.
You also showed me how strong I am and that I can overcome anything!
Even you!!
DON’T ever come back!
YOU’RE NOT WANTED EVER AGAIN!!!
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Dear Cancer,
Thank you for giving me a break today: you try to be strong, but this time, I am stronger. As I recover from my third surgery, I was told today by my surgeon that my pathology is negative this time. Glorious news!!!! I am feeling blessed. This has not always been the case for me and I live daily with long term effects, even 8 years later after treatment. Cancer: you have taken loved ones and affected so many friends and family. I pray for the cure, I fight for the cure, and I believe in a future without cancer. You will not win, so stop trying.
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Dear Cancer,
I’ve been cancer free for 1 1/2 years from endometrial cancer. My husband was diagnosed with a blood cancer, PV, a year ago. We’ve had enough of you cancer and we hate what you’ve done to our senior years and retirement plans.
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Dear Cancer,
I lost my hair.
I lost my dignity.
And radiation made me lose my skin.
Despite it all,
I stayed strong
and faced each day, with courage and optimism.
Because of you, these days I love myself
and my body more than before.
So it is I not you
that won your silly game!
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Dear Cancer,
You are a fake, fearful, sad, empty and temporary distraction; yet I thank you for causing me to reach deep within to find and know what is REAL, FEARLESS, JOYFUL, FULL and PERMANENT. Eternal Life with Jesus. My Rock and my Salvation. “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for Thou, O Lord are with me…” Psalm 23. So cancer, thanks for the memories, goodbye & be blessed. You’ve given me the gift to laugh, love and live with peace, and joy, Now and forever. Amen.
