I survived Ewing's Sarcoma when I was 13. It sucked, but there have been worse things. A lot of people call me brave or strong because I survived cancer. I don't deserve any of that praise. My dad took me to the hospital, sometimes literally carrying me. I'd lay in bed while nurses administered treatment, then my dad would take me home. Even my surgery where they reconstructed my leg didn't require effort on my part. The surgeons did all the work, I just layed in a hospital bed on painkillers. Treatment for me was just enduring the discomfort, which really wasn't an option. I was getting treatment regardless because I was a minor and it was up to factors outside my control to decide if I would survive. So to say that I'm strong, brave, or any other compliment is just grossly unrealistic.
In my case, as uncomfortable and often painful parts of treatment, minimal work actually had to be done on my part. More credit should be given to adults cancer victims that have to go through everything I did, but also manage their own treatment.
A year or so after I went into remission, my dad was diagnosed with Glioblastoma. He was not only managing his own health care, enduring the same if not worse pain I went through, but he was still raising my siblings and me as a single parent (I'm ashamed to say we weren't low maintenance), in addition to running his own business. He literally was back in the office the next workday after he had brain surgery because he couldn't afford to not be in the office. Comparing my cancer battle with his is just insulting to his effort.
When I said there have been worse things than going through cancer, without a doubt, watching my dad go through it was much harder. At least when I was the sick one, the only thing to worry about was my wellbeing. It was much easier for me to endure agonizing physical pain during cancer than it was for me to deal with the emotional disaster of watching a family member die.
I've been in remission for 14 years. What's the effect? I can't have kids because I'm sterile from the chemo, I can't do certain physical activity because of my leg, and I have to be more vigilant over my health because my treatment/history puts me at greater risk. Overall though, it's almost a non-issue.
My dad . He's gone and it that still keeps me up at night.