Labels belong on soup cans not cancer patients. What am I talking about? Let me explain. When I learned to read waaaay back in first grade during the Dick, Jane and Spot era, my class was neatly divided into three reading groups according to our ability, or that’s what the intention was anyway. Each group …
Cancer launguage
Cancer is not a gift. No, it is not. Some cancer survivors believe and proudly proclaim that their cancer was a gift. Without a doubt, this is entirely their prerogative. Everyone certainly has the right to his/her own cancer experience viewpoints. I am not judging anyone here.
Recently, I stumbled upon a blog post with this title, “Breast Reconstruction Makes Breast Cancer Patients Whole Again After Mastectomy.” What? This particular choice of words immediately made me bristle. In fact, I found them down right irritating. Why? It’s the definitive nature of the statement that annoys, no offends me. Breast reconstruction makes breast …
Let’s talk about one of those labels often thrown around post-cancer treatment when you are turned loose and expected to get back out there — also known as figuring out life under the ‘new normal’ umbrella. Or, simply finding your new normal, whatever that means. Following treatment (if you’re “lucky” enough to have a treatment …
What’s wrong with a survivor label anyway? I don’t like labels. I avoid them whenever I can. The survivor label is one that makes me uncomfortable for various reasons. I asked my oncologist once, “When am I technically a survivor? Upon diagnosis? After my tumor is removed? After my bilateral? After finishing chemo? After two …