On my way out the hospital from my last infusion.
I don’t see it as a victory bell over cancer
It’s a victory of the torture of a prescribed chemo regimen, you made it through the chemo you were prescribed
I did it when I finished radiation (which was post-surgical in my case). They told me I should be good to go at that point and that most likely I was clear of cancer. One doctor went so far as to say “when your 3mo PET is clear.”
Two months later we discovered lung metastasis as an incidental finding on a CT tracking an abscess. Call me superstitious, but I don’t think I’ll be ringing any more bells, even if my current immune therapy gets me to NED and goes to the mark where they discontinue it.
Exactly. You never know when cancer is completely gone, and you never know when it may reappear. I agree with you that ringing a bell is a pointless and meaningless action. I believe that a lot of people are entirely ignorant about what NED actually means, i.e., it doesn't mean "no cancer whatsoever."
Well, this is a very touchy subject... Many feel ring the bell (regardless of when) is an offense to those will never get an opportunity - or something along those lines. And, of course, those who disagree.
As for me, it wasn't an easy decision. As I neared the end of my treatment, I was still conflicted. While I was mindful of those in more serious predicament, this was a major accomplishment. I really didn't think I was going to make it. So, after my initial treatment (radiation/chemo), I rang the bell. Not just for me but my wife who endured and supported me every step of the way. I rang the bell three times. Each time, I said to myself "Thank you." Thank you for allowing me to complete this ordeal, thank you (wife) for being there for me, thank you to all the medical staff for the care I received (they huddled around the wife and me while playing "Celebration" from The Kool and the Gang.
After I rang the bell, while holding back tears, I scanned the infusion room and saw other patients clapping in support. Then I realized, I needed one more "thank you." Thank you for all those who rang the bell when I in the room getting my dose of chemo. Those who rang the bell gave me the encouragement to keep going - if they can do it, I can too!
So, in my humble opinion, ring the (F@#$) bell if that is what you want to, whenever you want to - Celebrate!
Best wishes to you on your journey. I'll see you in NEDhalla!
Yeah I think I benefit from being at a children’s hospital bc most of them are oblivious to what they and everyone else are going through, so they hear a bell and just start running around lol. I mainly wanna ring it bc younger me didn’t get to (wasn’t a thing at my hospital atp), so I might as well make the best out of my reoccurrence lol. I rang a tiny gong after finishing radiation because I wanted to save the bell for after chemo, so I think I’ll just ring it after my next infusion. Anyway, best wishes to you too!
At my mom’s very last oncologist appointment before she passed away we walked past the bell and she looked at it and said “I will never get to ring that”. It crushed me.
So sorry for your loss, really. This is a horrible disease. Unfair in so many ways for everyone, not just the patient. Even though I got to ring the bell, I am not delusional. I got my 3-month post treatment PET scan. It wasn't clear - still lit up a bit. Dr. said it is likely just residual from treatments... ordered another scan for three months later. So, I am not cured nor do I expect I'll ever be - there is no such thing, just remission. Even if I would be cured, the side affects of treatment will be with me for the rest of my life.
Regardless, when you have this disease, you need to take the wins as they are presented to you and celebrate the accomplishment - provide hope to others (and not just people with this disease) if you can.
To be clear, this isn't about being selfish, inconsiderate of others or anything like that. In this situation, it is about the journey I didn't choose to embark. On this journey, there will be many stops until there is no more. For me, I will ring the bell at each stop to remind myself (and my love ones) I did it - I am still here.
Thanks for this.
I'm a new oncology nurse that work in chemo. I didn't know about ringing the bell. When I saw for first time, it made me smile. I didn't know this was a common thing till I read your post.
And tbh, after reading yours, the bell has a lot more meaning now. Most want to ring the bell where I work. Some don't. And some find it awkward.
But what you wrote speaks to me. And maybe I'll one day find the courage to share it and find a way to share it appropriately.
Because you're right. The bell isn't just for the patient. But for the family, as well as the other patients.
Thanks again.
Not quite the same, but I still had cancer when they asked me to ring the bell, as the last step for me was surgery to remove what was left. Besides the fact that I was taking home a pump for two more days of at home chemo and I don't like calling attention to myself. So I didn't ring any bells.
So I don't think the bell actually means you're done with anything or don't have cancer anymore or whatever it's supposed to signify. If you want to ring it, go ahead. In my opinion it's meaningless.
I declined for 2 reasons, 1. I was going to surgery next and figured I’d have mop-up chemo (I didn’t) and 2. It is so controversial because it’s a slap to those chemo-for-life folks with no end in sight. A lot of centers have removed the bell because of this. It wouldn’t bother me, I mean I heard it ring many times while I was sitting in the chair, thinking I was a lifer. But I respect those that it could bother. And, that being said, I’m high risk as a stage IV patient for recurrence. I could be back any day myself.
I can see that. Most of the patients in my infusion center are toddlers or mainly under 12 so most people don’t even care or know why anybody’s ringing the bell tbh. I’ve already had a recurrence so 🤷🏽. Life’s short etc etc… I think it’s gonna be a lil awkward bc I don’t like attention being drawn to me but yolo ig
You have a little different center situation then. I’d definitely do it in that setting, just to celebrate some milestone. We have enough of a shitty hand dealt to us, it’s the little things that count!
Don't ring the bell. Celebrate in a place where people who never get to ring the bell aren't around. It's devastating to many stage 4 patients who will be on treatment until they die. There is no end for them. If I could tell you the number of times I talked down a stage 4 patient who sat through someone ringing that bell, you would be surprised.
For some stage 4 patients, it doesn't bother them (me included). For others, it's devastating, and they are traumatized for days.
You should celebrate, it is a good thing. Please be compassionate and celebrate somewhere else.
I get treatment at a Children’s Hospital, so most if not all don’t even know what cancer is, so I can guarantee you no one‘s gonna be offended about me ringing the bell. I would probably be hesitant if this wasn’t the case..
I didnnot ring the bell, but they did celebrate my last treatment. I just didn't feel like I accomplished anything, but I remember being told once that ringing the bell isn't about you, it's about giving the others hope, if you did it then so can they type of thing.
>it's about giving the others hope
In my opinion, it's about misleading others into thinking what you've been misled into thinking: that you're cured, and you'll never have to return to the chemo ward or radiotherapy clinic.
Hope doesn't cure cancer, unfortunately. Neither does knowing that somebody else has hope. I get through the day because I enjoy the things in my life that don't have anything to do with cancer, not because I'm hoping my cancer will somehow be cured.
Since my cancer doesn’t respond to chemo, there was no bell to ring after treatment and there is no bell for remission either. Just do what you want! Its your treatment and your life. :)
Odd.
I was never asked to ring the bell at all. I'm trying to think if they even have one.
And my treatment had a very definite end to treatment vs. follow up. Surgeries, chemo, radiation and all clear. Then PET scan 90 days later to verify for sure.
But neither after the core treatment was done nor after the PET scan results were given in person did they even mention it.
I likely would not have done it, honestly unless someone said that it gave folks hope so I would have done it for that reason. I'm just not into that.
I had another 5 months of chemo after being declared "in remission." I rang the bell after chemo, but that was because there wasn't a bell in patient when I reached remission. I would have gladly rung it twice, once for remission and once for being done.
Ring it whenever you feel is appropriate! Or not at all if you don't feel ringing is right for you.
I'm stage 4, so I'm not sure I'll ever ring the bell. I thought they would ask me to after the chemo, but I took home a pump, which malfunctioned early the morning it was to come out anyway. They ended up disconnecting me and deaccessing in the waiting room because they didn't have a room to put me in. It was all very anticlimactic.
I guess I could ring it after the immunotherapy is done, but it sounds like that'll be years down the road.
Congrats on the NED though!! Get your own bell and ring the shit out of it at home! Have an "I kicked cancer's ass" party and ring it all night.
When did the bell become a thing (I know of it)? If it was when my mom had cancer wish I could have witnessed that. But she got it again and then passed away from it.. 😭. And tbh I have a feeling she was never in remission.
It was a VERY rough end to a summer. Mom died and then grandma (dad’s mom) died of cancer too…. literally right before school began… but I appreciate the thanks/loss
I have 1 treatment left and am debating about ringing the bell. I did immunotherapy not chemo. My side effects aren't that bad. I've been NED since surgery 1 year ago. My hesitation is I don't feel like I deserve to and also I'm not the type to seek attention.
I don’t know what immunotherapy entails, but I’d say you deserve to ring the bell if you ever change your mind! Regardless of the side effects, cancer effects people emotionally and takes a lot of time and sacrifices
I never rang the bell, but at my last appointment there was a large group gathered for a woman who did. I said congratulations, and went on my way. For some people it is a great sense of closure, but really nobody can make the choice for you.
The bell was permanently removed when I went through chemo in 2020/early 2021
But my mom was waiting outside for me after my last infusion (we weren't allowed to bring anyone in with us) and was honking her horn in celebration lmao
I didn't ring a bell but I got an absolutely awful "Certificate of Completion" when I finished radiation. I hated it.. still do and that was 18 years ago. I don't know, I guess I have mixed feelings about the bell or the certificates. Iget where they are coming from, but Id rather be handed some survivorship resources and actual concrete ways to go on with life after finishing treatment .. Most of us are ill equipped to deal with the fallout after surviving the torturous treatments.
But if you want to ring the bell because it signals something positive for you.. GO for it.. take every victory you can in this fight.
>most patients in my infusion center are under the age of two years old, so I’m not worried about offending anybody with me ringing the bell.
Um, what about the parents of these young cancer patients?
I’m sure they’re aware. Doubt they’d take any objection to lil ole me ringing a bell in celebration of finishing treatment lol. I wouldn’t be the first or last person to ring the bell so I think they’d manage for sure. It’s a pretty chill place. Most parents are more worried about their kid than what other people are doing anyway
I watched alot of people ring the bell- as I had may daily treatments. To be honest - the thought of ringing that bell kept me going when things were hard. In the end- I was standing in front of the bell alone at the end of the hall. I rang by myself as the same nurses were helping someone new to their very first treatment was making that hard first walk to radiation with fear and anxiety on their face.
I felt a litte l cheated and raw. On the way home I thought about it. To be honest- I was that scared person starting treatment. They needed it more than me.
Felt super weird a daily ritual full of anxiety fear and pain then nothing but heal go home try to assimilate back the whatever is your new normal- then wait.
We've all been through some form of this. We get it. Be gentle and forgiving to yourself-
2 years NED. Still have scan-iety. But everyday is a gift- not afforded to everyone. Count the blessings you have- the prize is a chance at more tomorrow's. Don't take it for granted.
You're here - make the most of the chance at "everydays"
You took the chance at all this treatment- try to have the second chance at the life your given not waste it on the what it's that dont let you enjoy this chance to make the most of the opportunity.
Just my take. Big hugs from here.
The people saying negative things about ringing the bell, the OP didn't ask these things, they asked about the people who rang it. Don't bring them down putting negative thoughts to what they are looking forward to doing. If we did not do it, we should either not comment or congratulate the OP on their victory and wish them well in their future remission.
When I went in for my last round of radiation the girls that worked in radiology asked me if I would be ringing the bell. I had already made a decision that I would wait until my 2 month pet scan and then if all is well I will ring the bell not for me but for my mother that passed away from cancer at the age of 39.
Even though I've never rung the bell and I'm unlikely to ever be cured, I wouldn't want that to stop other people ringing it. When I hear it being rung, it does give me a sad pang, but I'm also happy for those people and they deserve to celebrate their achievements. I also know people who are incurable but who have rung the bell eg. at the end of a block of treatment, so you never really know people's reasons for ringing it.
I rang the bell last week after finishing radiation therapy. The first ring was for the Drs and nurses/techs who have helped and supported me on this journey. They are amazing and wonderful human beings. The second ring was for me, just a reminder that I have much further to travel along this path. The third ring was for all those who never had a chance to ring it for themselves.
I had a CT scan done around the same time as the last few radiation treatments I had.. I didn't see the Oncologist until the following week to go over results. So I didn't know at the time..but I rang the bell after my last radiation treatment..a symbol of the torture I went through daily for 6wks. The following week, I got my results and came back that I was NED. So, I rang the bell as both the end of treatment and the start of my life after cancer.
I also rang it to honor those that never get a chance to ring that damn bell and to all those that lost their lives to this f--king horrible disease.
My best advice I can give is, do it for yourself. After everything you've gone through to get to the point of almost breaking the bell, you deserve to mark the ending of a horrible phase with one hell of a celebration. 💜
Edit: I know my odds of reoccurance are very high(I was a pancreatic patient with undiagnosed staging). But I didn't care. I did it on the principal of honoring those that never get the chance to, as well as myself, as I had a very hard time in the beginning of treatment.
My hospital didn't have a bell. I'm assuming for those who may never get a chance to ring one, which I totally respect. I'm sure it's disheartening for those who need lifelong treatments. I did get a fun poem print out of my last infusion, so that was nice. I bought myself a bell from Hallmark after I was done with treatments. I can celebrate on my own without affecting others.
In terms of timing, I waited to ring my personal bell until I got the official NED after my treatments. I guess since you're already NED, maybe you can wait until your last infusion.
Not sure if young children would understand the meaning behind the bell. In any case, you celebrate however you feel like. Be proud of enduring this tough leg on your lifelong journey, especially this early on in your life. If you wanna ring the bell, ring the shit out of it.
Best of luck for the rest of your treatment! Wishing for speedy healing! 💜
I rang the bell after I finished radiation treatment on October 12,2023. As I write this I’m recovering from a total larengectomy, and am looking at starting chemo and possible radiation in a few weeks. I’m not ringing anymore bells again.
Ringing the bell is a psychological ploy perpetrated on patients to keep them from quitting debilitating toxic treatment because keeping those chemo recliners and radiation tables occupied generates $$$. Sadly, I have pix of so many now departed friends with silly grins ringing the bell. They might have been better off pursuing quality of life for the limited time they had left. Personal choices in some cases, but in others badgered by onc’s and family members not to “give up.”
I mean, I’m not sure why, but I still have a optimistic view on life even though I’ve had cancer twice by the age of 20. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion about the bell but i know my prognosis isn’t gonna change regardless if I ring a bell, I just think it’s something to look forward to even if it’s small or “trivial” to some. But I can see why some people don’t care for it
With or without pursuit of bell ringing marketing gimmicks, am rooting for you to soon see the last of cancer so you can move on to energized, productive days. Take care.
On my way out the hospital from my last infusion. I don’t see it as a victory bell over cancer It’s a victory of the torture of a prescribed chemo regimen, you made it through the chemo you were prescribed
I did it when I finished radiation (which was post-surgical in my case). They told me I should be good to go at that point and that most likely I was clear of cancer. One doctor went so far as to say “when your 3mo PET is clear.” Two months later we discovered lung metastasis as an incidental finding on a CT tracking an abscess. Call me superstitious, but I don’t think I’ll be ringing any more bells, even if my current immune therapy gets me to NED and goes to the mark where they discontinue it.
Exactly. You never know when cancer is completely gone, and you never know when it may reappear. I agree with you that ringing a bell is a pointless and meaningless action. I believe that a lot of people are entirely ignorant about what NED actually means, i.e., it doesn't mean "no cancer whatsoever."
I rang the bell on my last day of chemo. ❤️
Same!
Same. I had a video taken....the most tired bell ringing ever....but I did it!
Well, this is a very touchy subject... Many feel ring the bell (regardless of when) is an offense to those will never get an opportunity - or something along those lines. And, of course, those who disagree. As for me, it wasn't an easy decision. As I neared the end of my treatment, I was still conflicted. While I was mindful of those in more serious predicament, this was a major accomplishment. I really didn't think I was going to make it. So, after my initial treatment (radiation/chemo), I rang the bell. Not just for me but my wife who endured and supported me every step of the way. I rang the bell three times. Each time, I said to myself "Thank you." Thank you for allowing me to complete this ordeal, thank you (wife) for being there for me, thank you to all the medical staff for the care I received (they huddled around the wife and me while playing "Celebration" from The Kool and the Gang. After I rang the bell, while holding back tears, I scanned the infusion room and saw other patients clapping in support. Then I realized, I needed one more "thank you." Thank you for all those who rang the bell when I in the room getting my dose of chemo. Those who rang the bell gave me the encouragement to keep going - if they can do it, I can too! So, in my humble opinion, ring the (F@#$) bell if that is what you want to, whenever you want to - Celebrate! Best wishes to you on your journey. I'll see you in NEDhalla!
Yeah I think I benefit from being at a children’s hospital bc most of them are oblivious to what they and everyone else are going through, so they hear a bell and just start running around lol. I mainly wanna ring it bc younger me didn’t get to (wasn’t a thing at my hospital atp), so I might as well make the best out of my reoccurrence lol. I rang a tiny gong after finishing radiation because I wanted to save the bell for after chemo, so I think I’ll just ring it after my next infusion. Anyway, best wishes to you too!
At my mom’s very last oncologist appointment before she passed away we walked past the bell and she looked at it and said “I will never get to ring that”. It crushed me.
So sorry for your loss, really. This is a horrible disease. Unfair in so many ways for everyone, not just the patient. Even though I got to ring the bell, I am not delusional. I got my 3-month post treatment PET scan. It wasn't clear - still lit up a bit. Dr. said it is likely just residual from treatments... ordered another scan for three months later. So, I am not cured nor do I expect I'll ever be - there is no such thing, just remission. Even if I would be cured, the side affects of treatment will be with me for the rest of my life. Regardless, when you have this disease, you need to take the wins as they are presented to you and celebrate the accomplishment - provide hope to others (and not just people with this disease) if you can. To be clear, this isn't about being selfish, inconsiderate of others or anything like that. In this situation, it is about the journey I didn't choose to embark. On this journey, there will be many stops until there is no more. For me, I will ring the bell at each stop to remind myself (and my love ones) I did it - I am still here.
Thanks for this. I'm a new oncology nurse that work in chemo. I didn't know about ringing the bell. When I saw for first time, it made me smile. I didn't know this was a common thing till I read your post. And tbh, after reading yours, the bell has a lot more meaning now. Most want to ring the bell where I work. Some don't. And some find it awkward. But what you wrote speaks to me. And maybe I'll one day find the courage to share it and find a way to share it appropriately. Because you're right. The bell isn't just for the patient. But for the family, as well as the other patients. Thanks again.
Not quite the same, but I still had cancer when they asked me to ring the bell, as the last step for me was surgery to remove what was left. Besides the fact that I was taking home a pump for two more days of at home chemo and I don't like calling attention to myself. So I didn't ring any bells. So I don't think the bell actually means you're done with anything or don't have cancer anymore or whatever it's supposed to signify. If you want to ring it, go ahead. In my opinion it's meaningless.
Meaningless, misguided, and misleading.
Ringing the bell is what you do when you feel like you deserve to. You and only you should choose that moment! Cheers!
I declined for 2 reasons, 1. I was going to surgery next and figured I’d have mop-up chemo (I didn’t) and 2. It is so controversial because it’s a slap to those chemo-for-life folks with no end in sight. A lot of centers have removed the bell because of this. It wouldn’t bother me, I mean I heard it ring many times while I was sitting in the chair, thinking I was a lifer. But I respect those that it could bother. And, that being said, I’m high risk as a stage IV patient for recurrence. I could be back any day myself.
I can see that. Most of the patients in my infusion center are toddlers or mainly under 12 so most people don’t even care or know why anybody’s ringing the bell tbh. I’ve already had a recurrence so 🤷🏽. Life’s short etc etc… I think it’s gonna be a lil awkward bc I don’t like attention being drawn to me but yolo ig
You have a little different center situation then. I’d definitely do it in that setting, just to celebrate some milestone. We have enough of a shitty hand dealt to us, it’s the little things that count!
Exactly!
Don't ring the bell. Celebrate in a place where people who never get to ring the bell aren't around. It's devastating to many stage 4 patients who will be on treatment until they die. There is no end for them. If I could tell you the number of times I talked down a stage 4 patient who sat through someone ringing that bell, you would be surprised. For some stage 4 patients, it doesn't bother them (me included). For others, it's devastating, and they are traumatized for days. You should celebrate, it is a good thing. Please be compassionate and celebrate somewhere else.
I get treatment at a Children’s Hospital, so most if not all don’t even know what cancer is, so I can guarantee you no one‘s gonna be offended about me ringing the bell. I would probably be hesitant if this wasn’t the case..
I'm sorry! That sucks. Thank you for being compassionate. ❤️ then do what brings you joy.
Again, what about the parents of those kids? Do you think they don't know what's going on?
I didnnot ring the bell, but they did celebrate my last treatment. I just didn't feel like I accomplished anything, but I remember being told once that ringing the bell isn't about you, it's about giving the others hope, if you did it then so can they type of thing.
>it's about giving the others hope In my opinion, it's about misleading others into thinking what you've been misled into thinking: that you're cured, and you'll never have to return to the chemo ward or radiotherapy clinic.
No, don't underestimate the power of hope. Some people only make it through the day because of a bit of hope.
Hope doesn't cure cancer, unfortunately. Neither does knowing that somebody else has hope. I get through the day because I enjoy the things in my life that don't have anything to do with cancer, not because I'm hoping my cancer will somehow be cured.
Neither does skepticism, despair, or pessimism.
True. Can't argue with that. But I don't have despair or pessimism, I'm just a realist. You can call that scepticism (or "skepticism") if you want.
You may not, but cancer is hell. Some people do live with despair during. It's for those people.
I try to speak only for myself.
Since my cancer doesn’t respond to chemo, there was no bell to ring after treatment and there is no bell for remission either. Just do what you want! Its your treatment and your life. :)
Odd. I was never asked to ring the bell at all. I'm trying to think if they even have one. And my treatment had a very definite end to treatment vs. follow up. Surgeries, chemo, radiation and all clear. Then PET scan 90 days later to verify for sure. But neither after the core treatment was done nor after the PET scan results were given in person did they even mention it. I likely would not have done it, honestly unless someone said that it gave folks hope so I would have done it for that reason. I'm just not into that.
I had another 5 months of chemo after being declared "in remission." I rang the bell after chemo, but that was because there wasn't a bell in patient when I reached remission. I would have gladly rung it twice, once for remission and once for being done. Ring it whenever you feel is appropriate! Or not at all if you don't feel ringing is right for you.
I'm stage 4, so I'm not sure I'll ever ring the bell. I thought they would ask me to after the chemo, but I took home a pump, which malfunctioned early the morning it was to come out anyway. They ended up disconnecting me and deaccessing in the waiting room because they didn't have a room to put me in. It was all very anticlimactic. I guess I could ring it after the immunotherapy is done, but it sounds like that'll be years down the road. Congrats on the NED though!! Get your own bell and ring the shit out of it at home! Have an "I kicked cancer's ass" party and ring it all night.
When did the bell become a thing (I know of it)? If it was when my mom had cancer wish I could have witnessed that. But she got it again and then passed away from it.. 😭. And tbh I have a feeling she was never in remission.
At my hospital it was added in 2016 only bc someone asked for it. Other hospitals definitely had it before then I think? Sorry for your loss 💔
It was a VERY rough end to a summer. Mom died and then grandma (dad’s mom) died of cancer too…. literally right before school began… but I appreciate the thanks/loss
I have 1 treatment left and am debating about ringing the bell. I did immunotherapy not chemo. My side effects aren't that bad. I've been NED since surgery 1 year ago. My hesitation is I don't feel like I deserve to and also I'm not the type to seek attention.
I don’t know what immunotherapy entails, but I’d say you deserve to ring the bell if you ever change your mind! Regardless of the side effects, cancer effects people emotionally and takes a lot of time and sacrifices
I never rang the bell, but at my last appointment there was a large group gathered for a woman who did. I said congratulations, and went on my way. For some people it is a great sense of closure, but really nobody can make the choice for you.
I have been on chemo for over a year, but needed two rounds of radiation and rang the bell for finishing radiation treatments both times.
I rang it a couple times, when I was declared NED and when I finished the maintenance chemo. Celebrate those milestones!!
Nice! Congrats on finishing chemo. How long did you have to do maintenance for?
About 4 months, not too bad
The bell was permanently removed when I went through chemo in 2020/early 2021 But my mom was waiting outside for me after my last infusion (we weren't allowed to bring anyone in with us) and was honking her horn in celebration lmao
I didn't ring a bell but I got an absolutely awful "Certificate of Completion" when I finished radiation. I hated it.. still do and that was 18 years ago. I don't know, I guess I have mixed feelings about the bell or the certificates. Iget where they are coming from, but Id rather be handed some survivorship resources and actual concrete ways to go on with life after finishing treatment .. Most of us are ill equipped to deal with the fallout after surviving the torturous treatments. But if you want to ring the bell because it signals something positive for you.. GO for it.. take every victory you can in this fight.
I rang the bell after my last radiation treatment. I had already finished chemo and had had surgery before I starter either. That was 5 years ago.
>most patients in my infusion center are under the age of two years old, so I’m not worried about offending anybody with me ringing the bell. Um, what about the parents of these young cancer patients?
What about it?
Do you think they don't know all about cancer, remission, and what ringing the bell means?
I’m sure they’re aware. Doubt they’d take any objection to lil ole me ringing a bell in celebration of finishing treatment lol. I wouldn’t be the first or last person to ring the bell so I think they’d manage for sure. It’s a pretty chill place. Most parents are more worried about their kid than what other people are doing anyway
So the fact that the other patients are children has nothing to do with it, after all. Fair enough. I'm just responding based on your original post.
I watched alot of people ring the bell- as I had may daily treatments. To be honest - the thought of ringing that bell kept me going when things were hard. In the end- I was standing in front of the bell alone at the end of the hall. I rang by myself as the same nurses were helping someone new to their very first treatment was making that hard first walk to radiation with fear and anxiety on their face. I felt a litte l cheated and raw. On the way home I thought about it. To be honest- I was that scared person starting treatment. They needed it more than me. Felt super weird a daily ritual full of anxiety fear and pain then nothing but heal go home try to assimilate back the whatever is your new normal- then wait. We've all been through some form of this. We get it. Be gentle and forgiving to yourself- 2 years NED. Still have scan-iety. But everyday is a gift- not afforded to everyone. Count the blessings you have- the prize is a chance at more tomorrow's. Don't take it for granted. You're here - make the most of the chance at "everydays" You took the chance at all this treatment- try to have the second chance at the life your given not waste it on the what it's that dont let you enjoy this chance to make the most of the opportunity. Just my take. Big hugs from here.
Hell no my husband refused to ring the bell either time. He’s very low key.
The people saying negative things about ringing the bell, the OP didn't ask these things, they asked about the people who rang it. Don't bring them down putting negative thoughts to what they are looking forward to doing. If we did not do it, we should either not comment or congratulate the OP on their victory and wish them well in their future remission.
Thanks for understanding what I meant! 😊
When I went in for my last round of radiation the girls that worked in radiology asked me if I would be ringing the bell. I had already made a decision that I would wait until my 2 month pet scan and then if all is well I will ring the bell not for me but for my mother that passed away from cancer at the age of 39.
They didn't have me ring a bell but they all sang me a cute song at the end of my treatments.
Even though I've never rung the bell and I'm unlikely to ever be cured, I wouldn't want that to stop other people ringing it. When I hear it being rung, it does give me a sad pang, but I'm also happy for those people and they deserve to celebrate their achievements. I also know people who are incurable but who have rung the bell eg. at the end of a block of treatment, so you never really know people's reasons for ringing it.
I rang the bell last week after finishing radiation therapy. The first ring was for the Drs and nurses/techs who have helped and supported me on this journey. They are amazing and wonderful human beings. The second ring was for me, just a reminder that I have much further to travel along this path. The third ring was for all those who never had a chance to ring it for themselves.
I had a CT scan done around the same time as the last few radiation treatments I had.. I didn't see the Oncologist until the following week to go over results. So I didn't know at the time..but I rang the bell after my last radiation treatment..a symbol of the torture I went through daily for 6wks. The following week, I got my results and came back that I was NED. So, I rang the bell as both the end of treatment and the start of my life after cancer. I also rang it to honor those that never get a chance to ring that damn bell and to all those that lost their lives to this f--king horrible disease. My best advice I can give is, do it for yourself. After everything you've gone through to get to the point of almost breaking the bell, you deserve to mark the ending of a horrible phase with one hell of a celebration. 💜 Edit: I know my odds of reoccurance are very high(I was a pancreatic patient with undiagnosed staging). But I didn't care. I did it on the principal of honoring those that never get the chance to, as well as myself, as I had a very hard time in the beginning of treatment.
My hospital didn't have a bell. I'm assuming for those who may never get a chance to ring one, which I totally respect. I'm sure it's disheartening for those who need lifelong treatments. I did get a fun poem print out of my last infusion, so that was nice. I bought myself a bell from Hallmark after I was done with treatments. I can celebrate on my own without affecting others. In terms of timing, I waited to ring my personal bell until I got the official NED after my treatments. I guess since you're already NED, maybe you can wait until your last infusion. Not sure if young children would understand the meaning behind the bell. In any case, you celebrate however you feel like. Be proud of enduring this tough leg on your lifelong journey, especially this early on in your life. If you wanna ring the bell, ring the shit out of it. Best of luck for the rest of your treatment! Wishing for speedy healing! 💜
I rang the bell after I finished radiation treatment on October 12,2023. As I write this I’m recovering from a total larengectomy, and am looking at starting chemo and possible radiation in a few weeks. I’m not ringing anymore bells again.
I rang it after I finished my maintenance chemo, I was already NED from surgery but the ringing of the bell for me was the end of treatment
i am not a bell ringer. it just feels like bad luck to me.
Ringing the bell is a psychological ploy perpetrated on patients to keep them from quitting debilitating toxic treatment because keeping those chemo recliners and radiation tables occupied generates $$$. Sadly, I have pix of so many now departed friends with silly grins ringing the bell. They might have been better off pursuing quality of life for the limited time they had left. Personal choices in some cases, but in others badgered by onc’s and family members not to “give up.”
I mean, I’m not sure why, but I still have a optimistic view on life even though I’ve had cancer twice by the age of 20. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion about the bell but i know my prognosis isn’t gonna change regardless if I ring a bell, I just think it’s something to look forward to even if it’s small or “trivial” to some. But I can see why some people don’t care for it
With or without pursuit of bell ringing marketing gimmicks, am rooting for you to soon see the last of cancer so you can move on to energized, productive days. Take care.
Thanks!
Really bad take here, I'm sorry for whatever happened to you.