Hi everyone. Just returned from hospital for my monthly denosumab injection and palbociclib tablets. There for 5 hours, but that’s another story! Whilst waiting for treatment I could hear every now and then the bell ringing and loud clapping and cheering as someone had finished their chemo. This wasn’t done when I finished my chemo/radio when I was first diagnosed in 2009, but all I wanted to say is us secondaries will never get to ring that bell and it upset me a lot to witness the joy and tears of relief on the faces of those who had received their last treatment. I think the hospitals should be more considerate to our feelings. It reminds me of back in the day when ladies who had suffered miscarriages where put in wards with new mums and mums in labour. Im feeling a bit deflated today and sad, all because of a bloody bell!
Hi Paris
I am so sorry you have been made to feel sad and I totally understand why.
I have always, always, always hated those blooming TV ads/programmes that show the bell ringing celebrations.
Why? For the exact reason you gave. And I’ve nursed on a gynae ward where we sometimes had ladies losing their babies put next to those having abortions.
In this day and age of not offending anyone, I can’t understand why any sensible person lets this insensitive practice (IMHO) happen.
I will be huffing and puffing and eyeball rolling and eyebrow raising when I hear it. I think I’ll even question it. I’ll certainly tell them what to do with it when they ask me to ring it. I’ve already made that decision and I only start treatment with a Ms and ANC on Friday so my hearing it is still to come.
I can’t for one moment claim to know what you are thinking and feeling. So I can only send you a virtual hug.
One thought - next you hear it again, can you picture the bell bashing on the head of the person who came up with this ridiculous idea? I’m a lover, not a fighter but sometimes needs must. Or hear it as a positive sign you’re having treatment to prolong your life? xx
I too find it very insensitive. When I finished my treatment for primary BC in 2015 I was encouraged to ring it by ward staff but I declined and just walked past it, couldn’t even look at it.
Since being diagnosed with mets in april I’ve only heard it being rung once whilst I was having chemo treatment. A lovely gentleman declined to ring it a few weeks ago when I was having treatment, he told the chemo nurse that he wouldn’t feel comfortable as some people have on going treatment, so some people do understand.
To be honest I look back now to the end of my then treatment and I’m glad that i didn’t ting it, not only for the sensitivity towards others but also it would now feel like it was no more than an empty gesture, no real meaning.
Totally agree!!! It is very insensitive. It is EXACTLY as you describe. Personally, I would not want to “jinx” myself either or be off guard with it all and take it for granted at being “cured”. False sense of security.
My mum had stage 2 grade 2 breast cancer over 11 years ago and her overall prognosis looked great! We was even told after 10 years she would have just as much chance as any other person of getting cancer again. How wrong. How very flipping wrong. 11 years later and the uggers are back in her bones. So all along she was never cured! Her treatment was not complete and never will be. I do not see the point in ringing a bell. No one knows what the future holds.
I understand some people want to celebrate the end of their treatment for primary, but one can do it more modestly and with more thought for others whose treatment will forever be ongoing. But very treatable secondary breast cancer is !!! I will celebrate every bit of positive news my mum gets between family and friends.
I hope you feel in brighter spirits soon! Take care xxx
Hi
I can’t believe this topic has come up I was literally having this conversation with my friend last week, it’s not something I’d ever thought of untill I heard the bell last week and when I did I cried twice. I’m so pleased for them people ringing it but upset that we all won’t.
big hugs xx