So IS There Such A Thing As Good Cancer?

It is just before 8pm. I am in the Asahikawa Red Cross Hospital awaiting the removal of a Basal Cell Carcinoma tomorrow. In Japan, In a room with three others. It’s on the top of my head.

I discovered it about a year ago and had the chance to ask my doc in Canada about it in November when we were visiting. Her comment was…

 “You should definitely get that looked at. Can you see a dermatologist in Japan? Because it will be months before you would have gotten in here.” 

After a referral from a doctor in Kamikawa, I was sent to a specialist (I thought). Perhaps a dermatologist? But not a specialist. After the ointment he gave me didn’t work - I went back a couple of months later. It was time to see a specialist - yes - I was also confused.

So off I went to the Red Cross Hospital in Asahikawa - of course Nicky was with me. To my surprise the doctor spoke excellent English! He determined after a biopsy that the (not painful or itchy) growth on my scalp was indeed a carcinoma. But have no fear - as cancer goes - it was the good kind.

I have some experience with “good” cancer. I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in and around 2007. I had EXCELLENT care (thank you sis) with an amazing surgeon and “cancer” doc from the Cross Cancer Institute. Liquid radioactive Iodine treatment twice and I am good to go. I was lucky - I felt lucky. I never thought of myself as a “cancer survivor” really… and I moved on.

Here I am again - in 2024 - with another “good cancer” with a 100% survival rate after 5 years. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful - I am SO grateful - that to date - I have only experienced the good kind of cancer. I have lost beloved people (as we all have) who were not so lucky.

But despite being very grateful I have decided I want to pat myself on the back. Because even though I have only experienced the good kind of cancer - I have had to endure.

With my thyroid - I was meticulous about requesting surgery dates that would be the least disruptive to my band program. After the first surgery when functioning beautifully with half a thyroid - I learned about the lesions - I did it all over again a few months later.

When I had my radioactive iodine treatments - I couldn’t hug my kiddos and I had to be isolated. And it was difficult. But I always felt guilty if I felt that. In fact - it was around the time that RMH was running Relay For Life - my students and I provided entertainment for the survivors banquet. At the time I wondered… “Am I a cancer survivor?”.

This time - I am in a foreign country where I am significantly LESS than fluent in the language. I am much larger than the regular patient - I am not fond of tofu and fish for breakfast. But here I am. 

And I am grateful and I am lucky but it does not mean I am any less scared or worried. More details to come on the other side of this. Wish me luck tomorrow?

Thanks for reading.