Being told this makes my head want to explode. After the radiologist’s verbal throw-up, breaking the C word, we quickly had another visit with the ENT where he also confirmed I had cancer and he went on to explain:
But it’s the good kind- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It’s considered curable in almost all cases.
Don’t get me wrong this was a huge relief, I had already researched the various types of lymphoma and knew this was the best news we could ask for. Having this type of cancer gave me the best chance of getting what I prayed for- a chance to watch my babies grow up.
But somehow being told cancer is “good” when you know that you will have poison injected into your body to kill the cancer, and know that it’s likely you’ll have radiation that will burn your skin and can damage your organs, is incomprehensible. Both treatments may lead to future cancers or additional long-term complications. If you ask me, “it’s the good kind” is a load of crap.
This phrase should have been stitched on a pillow over the next week. We broke the news to family and friends and used it shamelessly to reassure them.
At same time, when someone familiar with this type of cancer says it to me, it raises my hackles. I know my odds of survival are phenomenal, but I feel like this phrase trivializes the fight that is ahead. It’s survivable only because they know exactly what treatment it responds to, you still have to do chemo and radiation. You don’t get to push the easy button.
The survival rate lets me know that my fight should be worth it and I plan on clinging to that in my darkest hours. I appreciate that I know going in my fight will be worth it, and I love having less uncertainty. But I don’t doubt for a minute that there will be a very real battle with some pretty shitty days.
It may be the good kind, but that doesn’t make it easy. It’s still cancer.
Cancer Ever After 
Hi. Great post. I always hate ‘it’s the good kind’ too. I’m sorry to read about your diagnosis. I know how tough it can be. It can be overwhelming. But hang in there. I’m not going to lie – it will be a tough few months but you won’t feel bad every day. Some people don’t even lose their hair. Mine thinned but was still there. And it’s entirely possible that you won’t have radiotherapy. I never have & I’ve had the dratted thing twice. My very best wishes to you and your family. Dee
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Thank you this helps! My main worry is how bad I’ll feel and how much I’ll be able to do with the kiddos so this really helps me feel optimistic!
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