How does life change as you get older?
How Does Life Expectancy Change As You Get Older
A cancer diagnosis can also motivate people to make healthier lifestyle choices, such as eating more vegetables, exercising more, and quitting smoking or drinking. These modifications can improve not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being.
A cancer scare can also be a time of increased self-awareness and self-care. It is a good time to rethink your priorities, relationships, and career goals. It can also be an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of self-care and self-compassion.
It's also important to remember that dealing with cancer is a long process, and it's normal to have good and bad days. Finding a support system, whether it's friends, family, or a support group, to talk to and share your thoughts and feelings with can be beneficial.
It's also important to remember that cancer isn't always fatal, and many people have recovered from it. Individuals can learn to live with and manage their illness with the assistance of medical professionals and support.
On October 22, 2022, red liquid erupted from my private area during a wonderful 5k run at Bannatyne's Gym in Maida Vale, London. I immediately sprang backwards, causing red liquid to splash all over the bathroom stall. I was stunned. I didn't even take a break to tidy it up. And I didn't completely void my bladder.
Instead, I went to the gym locker, got my bag, realized I'd forgotten my headphones, and hurried back to my flat, wondering what had happened.
But it was unfortunately obvious: I had just urinated blood.
What Could It Mean If I Urinate Blood?
Now, there are several reasons for urinating blood. It can be a bladder or kidney infection, kidney stones, or a harmless side effect of an intense workout. However, it might also be a sign of kidney or bladder cancer. As a result, you cannot and must not disregard it.
I did what everyone does and immediately entered my symptoms into Google. Google, sadly, offers nothing to allay your worries. Instead, it informs you that you most likely have a terminal illness. My body caused me to stress out. Even though I was already active and healthy, I stopped eating all junk food, cut off all soft drinks, and developed paranoia over my health.
I gave the doctor a call. After we chatted on the phone, she quickly recommended that I go to the hospital for tests. I didn't have any additional symptoms, and passing blood after a run isn't that unusual, so she wasn't concerned.
However, the NHS (Britain's dysfunctional healthcare system) informed me within days that I would have to wait three months for hospital tests. I was no longer upset at this time. I was active, strong, and healthy, cycling 50 miles, swimming 5 miles, and running 70 miles per week. Therefore, I wasn't really concerned about the waiting list.
However, if I were gravely ill, three months might be the difference between life and death. But I was powerless to change anything. I lacked access to private healthcare (very few British people do). Instead, they depend on the NHS, the industrialized world's most despised healthcare system.
12 weeks following a bloody urination
It had been almost 12 weeks after the tragedy on New Year's Eve 2021. After some time, I went to a hospital for testing. But when I arrived, they informed me that they had changed the appointment without telling me, to March.
Wow, what the fuck. I started. I was made to wait three months before the NHS abruptly cancelled the appointment without informing me. Thankfully, following my complaint, they rescheduled my appointment for January 21. (only a three-week wait). But the issues were just getting started.
15 weeks following a bloody urination
Finally, after almost four months, I went to a urologist appointment where he suggested that, even though he thought I was probably healthy, I get a CT scan just to be safe.
Naturally, I concurred. Although they are never enjoyable, the CT scan went well. I realized it was all routine at that point. Although I wasn't worried, I still wanted things to be resolved completely.
16 weeks following a bloody urination
A receptionist called me and said the doctor wanted me to come back for more medical testing. I was very concerned because that was the last thing I wanted to hear. The receptionist had no explanation for why I needed to come back for additional tests, which didn't make sense.
I went to the hospital for an ultrasound scan four days after feeling physically ill for four days. However, when I got there, they informed me that there must have been a mistake. Extra testing hadn't been requested by the doctor. I was absolutely enraged. I just gave you proof of how awful the British healthcare system is, if you needed any.
They claimed the doctor will call me the following week to discuss the findings of the CT scan. They apologized for the inconvenience, but they were unable to explain what had transpired regarding the additional tests. They also had no idea who called me or why.
Absolutely incredible
The doctor called me four days later to confirm I required additional testing because he was "worried that my bladder was somewhat enlarged." The doctor requested extra testing due to a mix-up at the hospital, but there had been yet another fucking error.
My stomach dropped. Your bladder might grow for a variety of reasons, but tragically, one of them is a tumor. However, the doctor, who contacted me 45 minutes late and spoke poor English, scarcely gave any justification for the further tests. He wanted to end the call in less than a minute, so he hurried.
You fuck tosser, I said to myself. You're requesting to take additional tests, scaring the very daylights out of me, and you want to hang up the phone without giving me any explanation.
You absolute jerk!"
The truth is that I was simply another regular person in the broken British healthcare system. He was swamped, needed to phone other patients, and didn't give a damn about me. I wished I had access to private healthcare at that time. I didn't, though. Even though I was in danger of dying, I was forced to deal with the NHS and its pitiful waiting times.
The most awful week of my life
Never before have I felt such intense worry. I was unable to breathe and could not function. I merely spent eight hours each day walking about London in the chilly month of February. I would move my body incessantly to get rid of my nervousness. It was really awful. I skipped meals. I had little rest. I was paralysed and genuinely fucking upset.I dreaded the prospect of what my mother would do if I had cancer. What's going on with me, and why? What if I die at the age of 28? That is what cancer does, even if a diagnosis is not made: it kills your sanity. The mere possibility of having cancer is enough to send you over the brink and summon the most terrifying demons.
The Consequences
Unfortunately, that week's stress permanently altered me. A few days later, I experienced my first-ever digestive problems, which led to additional bowel cancer tests (which came back normal thankfully).
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a benign colon ailment brought on by stress, was most likely brought on by the anxiety. Although it's an uncomfortable condition, I've been able to control it by consuming a lot of probiotics.
There were some advantages, such as my decreased worry and increased tolerance for terror. I've become a much stronger person as a result of the experience. Additionally, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," as the cliché goes.