I'm happy I got cancer

Summary

In a heartfelt video, the creator reflects on overcoming a life-threatening cancer diagnosis in 2019 and how it unexpectedly shaped their future. Despite enduring chemotherapy and significant personal losses, including hair loss and missed milestones, they found new opportunities, like a gaming setup and a college scholarship, which led them to pursue their dream of creating content on YouTube. The video also highlights the surprising support from the community and the gratitude they feel for having a second chance at life and their passion for impacting others through their channel.

Takeaways

• 😀 The creator humorously reflects on their personal struggles, including being diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and how it impacted their life.
• 😀 A significant point in the video involved joking about the 725 shotgun in *Modern Warfare 2019*, and how it became a way to address their cancer diagnosis with humor.
• 😀 Initially, the creator wasn't sure if they should include the joke in the video, fearing it was too dark, but later realized the importance of sharing it with their audience.
• 😀 The cancer diagnosis led the creator to reflect on their health and push through a difficult period of medical uncertainty, ultimately leading to a stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis.
• 😀 The creator underwent chemotherapy, lost their hair, and had to stay in the hospital during important moments, including Christmas Eve and New Year's.
• 😀 Despite the hardships, the creator found unexpected blessings, like receiving a gaming setup from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which played a major role in their career as a YouTuber.
• 😀 The creator emphasizes that they wouldn't have been able to start their YouTube channel or afford the gaming setup without their cancer diagnosis, making it a life-altering experience.
• 😀 The creator acknowledges the support from their community, highlighting individuals like Robo YT and Illegal Waffle who encouraged them to keep going and upload videos.
• 😀 The growth of the creator's channel, from 130 subscribers to almost 5,000, is attributed to the community's support, and the creator feels grateful for every milestone reached.
• 😀 The creator expresses gratitude for the second chance at life that their cancer diagnosis gave them, allowing them to focus on their passion for content creation and continue building their community.

Q & A

What motivated the creator to include the joke about the 725 shotgun despite it being a dark topic?

The creator initially hesitated to include the joke about the 725 shotgun in Modern Warfare 2019 because they thought it might be too dark for the video. However, they decided to include it after realizing that they were speaking to the Call of Duty community at a time when their own personal experiences, including their cancer diagnosis, resonated deeply with them. The community's positive response reassured them that the joke had a place in the video.

How did the creator first realize something was wrong with their health in 2019?

The creator began noticing troubling symptoms, such as rapid weight loss (70-80 lbs), dizziness, anemia, and coldness. Their nails also turned purple in cold weather. Initially, they believed it was just anemia, a condition that a coworker suggested might explain the symptoms, but it turned out to be something much more serious.

What role did the teachers play in prompting the creator to seek medical attention?

Two teachers played a critical role in pushing the creator to get medical help. The first teacher insisted that they go to the nurse after noticing their unusual symptoms during a quiz, and the second teacher, a gym instructor, demanded that the creator go to the nurse after observing them almost fainting during a volleyball game. Both teachers' insistence ultimately led to the creator being sent to the hospital.

How did the creator feel when they were first diagnosed with cancer?

The creator was initially confused when they were diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma. They didn't experience the typical shock or dissociation seen in movies; instead, they made a mental connection between the term 'chemotherapy' and cancer, which made the reality of their diagnosis start to sink in.

What emotional impact did chemotherapy have on the creator during their treatment?

Chemotherapy was physically and emotionally difficult for the creator. They faced daily pain, had to take numerous pills to manage symptoms, and spent a significant amount of time in the hospital. Losing their hair was particularly hard, as they loved their hair and had been growing it out. The process made them feel isolated and miserable, especially around the holidays.

How did the creator's experience with cancer lead to unexpected positive outcomes?

Despite the challenges of cancer, the creator's diagnosis led to some positive changes. They received a Make-A-Wish gaming setup, which enabled them to start a YouTube channel. Cancer also indirectly helped the creator get a full-ride college scholarship and provided financial support through gifts and donations from family and friends, allowing them to purchase a car and continue their education.

What role did the creator's community play in their YouTube journey?

The creator's community played a key role in their YouTube success. They specifically mentioned two supporters, Robo YT and Illegal Waffle, who encouraged them to keep uploading content. This support helped them grow their subscriber base from 130 to nearly 5,000 subscribers, enabling them to focus more on YouTube and less on their job while pursuing their passion.

How did the creator's cancer diagnosis affect their view of life and their future?

The creator's cancer diagnosis gave them a new perspective on life. They recognized that had they not been diagnosed, they would not have had the opportunities that followed, like starting their YouTube channel, getting a scholarship, or receiving financial support. They express gratitude for these outcomes, despite the hardship, and view their cancer experience as a kind of 'second lease on life.'

How did the timing of the creator's cancer treatment coincide with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic?

The creator's cancer treatment coincided with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. They finished their chemotherapy treatments on March 11, 2020—the same day the NBA season was suspended. While they were excited to return to a 'normal' life, the pandemic's onset meant that the concept of 'normal' was forever altered, and the creator found themselves isolated during a pivotal time.

What was the creator's initial reaction to the suggestion of a 'blessing in disguise' during their cancer treatment?

The creator initially hated the phrase 'blessing in disguise,' which many people used to comfort them during their cancer treatment. They found it dismissive and depressing, but later acknowledged that, in their case, some of the people who said this were correct. The cancer experience did, in some ways, lead to positive changes in their life, even though it was a difficult and painful journey.