I smoke, I drink, I have cancer. I deserve no support

Ok, so I have been in and out of this site for 2 years now. But I have never heard anyone talk about smoking, sometimes about drinking, but that all seems okay. Do you know, I have had so much support from people on this site and I hope I have returned it to others in some small way, but never have I had a discussion or seen a discussion about smoking on this site. I fear I will alienate those who have supported me or feel that I have betrayed those I have tried to support I guess. I'm not a tramp (although it wouldn't matter if I was), I'm a successful well paid manager. I have or had cancer for the last 2 years and I smoke and I drink. There it is. I don't need to hear that it's bad, because I know it is. When I was diagnosed, I did give up (both), but when I started to get better, I started again. For me, I just wanted to feel normal again, the old me, not the new cancer victim me. I'm sorry to those that fight this and I continue to press that self destruction button. Obviously I'm not that sorry because I continue to do it. I'm sure this entry will inspire some antagonism or self help support, I just want to tell the truth. I'm sorry. Julie xxx

Parents
  • Hi Julie,

    Please stop beating yourself up! Stop right now lady!

    I wholeheartedly agree with everything that everyone has said. You are entitled to do exactly what you god damn want! The fact that you have had cancer does not mean that you have to now punish yourself. If you enjoy drinking and smoking - you just do it! The fact that you have already suffered cancer and survived it gives you every right to do what pleases you - life is for enjoying yourself!

    We all do things that aren't good for our bodies - no-one is perfect. I have the BRCA2 cancer gene so am at high risk of getting one of numerous cancers and no amount of being fit and healthy is going to make one jot of difference to me. I get well meaning people sometimes advising me that I should avoid alcohol amongst many other things and I have to remind them (without loosing my patience) that it won't make any difference to me and I will jolly well continue to enjoy my drinking - it keeps me sane! Keeping your santity in all this is just as important (if not more...) as keeping your body healthy.

    I can understand why you are immediately thinking the worst with your throat - it's understandable after what you have been through. Every little twinge and lump I get I worry it is cancer.

    I hope everything has turned out okay and you have been given the all clear.

    Love Jax x

Reply
  • Hi Julie,

    Please stop beating yourself up! Stop right now lady!

    I wholeheartedly agree with everything that everyone has said. You are entitled to do exactly what you god damn want! The fact that you have had cancer does not mean that you have to now punish yourself. If you enjoy drinking and smoking - you just do it! The fact that you have already suffered cancer and survived it gives you every right to do what pleases you - life is for enjoying yourself!

    We all do things that aren't good for our bodies - no-one is perfect. I have the BRCA2 cancer gene so am at high risk of getting one of numerous cancers and no amount of being fit and healthy is going to make one jot of difference to me. I get well meaning people sometimes advising me that I should avoid alcohol amongst many other things and I have to remind them (without loosing my patience) that it won't make any difference to me and I will jolly well continue to enjoy my drinking - it keeps me sane! Keeping your santity in all this is just as important (if not more...) as keeping your body healthy.

    I can understand why you are immediately thinking the worst with your throat - it's understandable after what you have been through. Every little twinge and lump I get I worry it is cancer.

    I hope everything has turned out okay and you have been given the all clear.

    Love Jax x

Children
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