Survivors Guilt
Last December I underwent a full bone marrow transplant for a condition commonly referred to as CML (it is one of the major 4 variations/types of leukemia).
I am very fortunate that I have been 100% complication free. At no point did I ever receive a blood tranfusion, I never had an infection of any kind, have no signs of graft versus host disease and literally haven't even spiked a fever. I have been told by my physician that I am something of an anomally. It would appear that I was born to have this type of transplant. While I have done very well many of my friends whom I met on the isolation ward have not faired as well. Many of them have died.
I find myself suffering from guiltly feelings for doing so well. I have heard and read about Survivor's Guilt in connection with Holocaust survivors. While I don't mean to compare what I went through to their experiences, I am wondering if anyone else has experienced or read about what I'm feeling.
Comments?
Answer:Yes. My son has a disease in which there are very few survivors. Most die within a year or two from diagnosis. However, I will let you know how we feel about this subject. There are survivors of his disease and we celebrate that fact . . it gives those of us in this battle hope that the disease can be cured! Please do not feel badly . . you and those like you are our hope. If you can survive the disease than others can too.
I would send you a hug if it were possible. Thank you for being a survivor. The best thing that you could do is to tell as many others with your type of cancer just how well you are doing.
i have..but it was because my fiance died and i couldnt save him. what you have sounds to me like survivors guilt. talk with you doctor about it or find a friend and let it all out. that helps! hope i was of help to you. and im sorry for what you have gone through. im happy it all worked out for you.
Stop it!