Sorry, cancer doesn't = ready for religion

[Ninjaneer]

So I was diagnosed with testicular cancer (you can get the full awesome story in the lounge). My family, instead of comforting me, seem to think this is an excellent time to hold my mouth open and force feed me religion.

Anyone dealt with anything like this?

I need support, not jesus. They just don't seem to understand it though. I'm fine with you saying you're gonna pray for me, I understand you mean well, thats fine. But insinuating that I got cancer because of my heathen ways? .....c'mon.

At this point I think my only option is to just turn to my friends for support. It really hurts when your family thinks what you have is justified ugh

[darkstar3]

1. I can certainly commiserate, but that's not support.

Sometime when you're interested allow me to tell you about "prayers for wakeup calls" and such. In the mean time, friends are the family you get to pick, and your treatment facility might be aware of support groups.

:hug:

[Ninjaneer]

2. I will be looking into that, thanks. : )

[dmallind]

3. Oh hell ya

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis - hope they got it in time to take care of it easily. I'm on borrowed time already and while I have seen very little "you're dying because you hate God" crap, partly because few people in "real life - i.e those who can identify me personally - know about it, I've had a few subtle and not-subtle hints that it's time to get my "soul right".

Sarcasm helps. Gentle sarcasm with those who are simply clueless but well-meaning, and withering with those who think that evangelism is needed. I've already outlived Jesus by 10 years anyway.

Hope it turns out well. Hell in the last few days we've had a rectal and a testicular cancer poster here. If some mean spirited god is visiting nonbelievers with cancer I guess he really IS obsessed with "naughty bits" after all. ;)

[Arugula Latte]

4. Ask them what it means when very religious Christians get cancer.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

5. It means gawd's testing them

Duh... Don't you read the bibble?

[Warpy]

6. You might just have to do that.

It doesn't matter where you find emotional support as long as you do it. If you can't find any people, then adopt cats and dogs.

Anyone over the years who's used my illness to push some sort of agenda, whether religion or homeopathic crap, got shown the door and told in no uncertain terms to check that garbage at the door if they wanted to come back. Some did, some didn't. I didn't miss the ones who didn't.

[laconicsax]

7. Christianity is a religion of fear.

Why else do Christians gloat over deathbed conversions or the "no atheists in foxholes" lie with the line, "afraid of what lies beyond" or something similar.

Don't let people bully you into their fear-induced death-cult. Stay strong.

[Odin2005]

8. YIKES, I would be insulted if my family tried that crap on me.

[sudopod]

9. Mondays blow goats.

I hate that you're having to deal with this. :(

[Ninjaneer]

10. ...

Your kind words are priceless to me.

:grouphug:

[Deep13]

11. If I'm ever hospitalized with a serious illness, I think I would put a sign on the door...

..."If you are here to tell me about Jesus, you can turn around right now."

[ZombieHorde]

12. Wow, that is pretty rude. Hopefully they will get over it soon.

I wish you and your loved ones peace and hapiness.

[Kolesar]

13. If Lance can beat it, you can beat it!

Lance Armstrong, of course
Best wishes to you.

[LeftishBrit]

14. Wishing you all the best with your treatment and recovery!

And you certainly don't need people taking the opportunity to preach at you, about God, or about anything else for that matter - quack medicine, how this should contribute to your 'personal growth', or anybody's hobbyhorse. If people are actually implying that 'you got cancer because of your heathen ways', that is even worse - and how can one worship a God who makes people ill just to get attention, which is basically what this is implying.

Very best wishes!

[Evoman]

15. I'm lucky I haven't had to deal with that.

Wish I was luckier though.....I have stage 3 rectal cancer. I have an incredible amount of support. I've had a LOT of people saying they would pray for me or send me good vibes and I've gratefully accepted. It doesn't bother me, because I take it as a sign people are thinking of me and supporting me.

Haven't yet had anyone talk to me about Jesus, even though my chances right now aren't stellar. Thank dog.

[Ninjaneer]

16. Hey Evoman

Hope you're holding up well : ( I actually didn't even notice your cancer thread until now. Looks like crummy news all over. I'm really pulling for ya. I'm not too educated on rectal cancer, but it sounds like serious business. To be honest now that I have my head on straight about this cancer thing, I couldn't fucking care less about what people say about religion or otherwise. I've got bigger fish to fry, like not becoming sterile. Please keep your head up and destroy this thing.

Remember to livestrong : )

[Kerrytravelers]

17. Just thought I'd check in and see how you're doing.

[Deep13]

18. +1

[Ninjaneer]

19. Hey all!

Just an update on this-

Thankfully everything turned out fine, at least for the time being. The post-surgery biopsy showed the cancer hadn't metastasized anywhere (even though the tumor was pretty big). I didn't even need chemo since after surgery my cancers markers dropped back down to normal levels : )

I just have to go in for CT scan and blood tests every few months for the next couple years- provided those keep coming back clean, I am done with this!

[amyrose2712]

20. Great news!

:applause: :applause: :toast:

[trotsky]

21. That is fantastic news!

Congrats!

[laconicsax]

22. Awesome news!

:bounce:

[Goblinmonger]

23. It's because I prayed for you.

You're welcome!

Seriously: great news. Congrats.

[NMMNG]

24. Great news!

:hi:

[darkstar3]

25. That's wonderful news!

[WhollyHeretic]

26. Great news! Congrats!

[Deep13]

27. So you're not give god credit for the cure?

:hide:

[LeftishBrit]

28. Great news!

:toast:

[sarcasmo]

29. In my experience friends are always better for support in this kind of situation or

any other situation in which you need support.