To really hate that bell

[Royalegardenchamo]

My lovely dad has stage 4 cancer, we're 6 months into a 12 month prognosis. The clock is ticking and he's now very unwell but still receiving treatment.

I am so fed up of hearing people ring that bell. Its right next to the waiting room, right next to the treatment room. I burst out crying when I heard it today.

I think it's a hideous idea. Surely they could think of something more discreet. I just don't understand it. My dad hates it too. It's crept into my mums dreams at night.

I'm so sorry you're going through this OP.

I agree - it’s one of those things that has come over from America but I think they need to have more consideration for those people who don’t have a favourable prognosis and their visitors.

I know I'll have replies saying it's for the end of treatment whatever that may look like but does anyone really want to ring a funcking bell to announce that there's nothing more that can be done and they're going home to die.

It’s awful.

Of course people want to celebrate successful treatment, but they shouldn’t be encouraged to do it in earshot of wards where not everyone will have that outcome.

I've only seen this on clips online and have always thought the same - what about the people who don't get to ring the bell. So insensitive.

It is hideous. Just like the pink party bag I was given when they told me I had breast cancer.
It's thoughtless and actually cruel, I'm sorry your dad has to listen to it.

I've known terminally Ill people ring the bell after finishing chemo and I must admit I don't really understand what there is to celebrate in that situation.

I never thought of it like that! When you say that out loud it is awful for people not getting good news. I hate people saying they fought cancer and they were a winner. It’s like people who die from it didn’t fight hard enough or didn’t try 🥲
sorry about your Dad op 🥲🥲

Yep I also hate the bell and so did my mum..... who never got to ring the damn thing 😒 . I don't think it should be a 'thing', it's soooo insensitive to other patients and families.

I have cancer. Thankfully in my country there is no bell ringing. I wouldnt anyway even if i had the option. Its hideous. No one is winning at cancer....

Agree, cannot believe anyone thought it was a good idea, so hideously insensitive.

I agree. It's so insensitive. Who are the people who like this - the staff, because they see completion of treatment as a success?

I'm sorry to hear about your dad and I completely get the bell thing.

My MIL recently completed treatment for cancer and wanted to ring the bell but I think it may have been removed from her hospital so she never got the chance... Basically it was deemed insensitive to other patients.

She was saying about her journey and how it was so unfair etc and whilst I understand her opinion I just said think about those who'll never get that chance (my own mum was one of them) having to hear that perhaps everytime they're having an appointment or treatment. If it were me it would make me feel like total crap.

There's other ways to celebrate and be happy of overcoming something without making a public spectacle infront of others who haven't been so lucky.

Sending hugs to you and your family.

Sorry about your dad

That's the trouble with this sort of thing; people get carried away and don't think it through. It shouldn't be that hard to do so.

Sorry about your father op and to other posters who have been in this situation.

It shouldn't be where anyone else can hear it, that's horrendous.

I agree.

So sorry about your dad.

Yeah i get the irrational rage when i see tv clips of it or heard it talked about it. Basically on behalf of a family member who didn’t have a successful cancer outcome and who is no longer here. I know it’s irrational, and i am really happy for others when i read or hear of success stories, and hope everyone beats. cancer that gets it. But I remember watching an advert that had it in it with my family member and feeling sad they wouldn’t have that moment. They were all quiet too likely thinking the same thing.

Thankfully, my hospital doesn't have the bell. I would have felt like a twit ringing it so likely would have shuffled out as quickly as I could. When you are finished treatment, it is great but there is still a fear of something returning so feels like tempting fate plus insensitive to the really poorly people on the ward.

Ridiculous American shit. As is the rhetoric of ‘kicking cancer’s ass/she fought so hard and beat cancer’. Implying that if cancer progresses the sufferer didn’t fight hard enough. FUCK THEM.

When I finished treatment, I refused to ring the bell. It seemed totally crass, and also the fact that I had finished treatment was nobody's business but mine.

Agree, bloody ridiculous, if you have something to celebrate about your treatment do it with your family and friends, hug them etc. X sorry about your Dad Op

Yes, it's a dreadful thing. There's enough for you & your DF to cope with, without the added stress of that.

Jesus, that's horrible. I'm so sorry.

Ghastly idea. Sending you and your family love OP x