Of Course I’m Grateful to Be Alive, But…

I had not said anything because sometimes I fear I am too touchy about such matters. I’m sort of a word freak, I suppose.

Anyway, Dear Hubby went on to say that HE felt that comment was patronizing and even condescending. It seemed to suggest to him that I/we should just keep quiet about my lingering side effects from past and present treatment and instead focus on being grateful that I’m still here.

I had had the same thought, but had let it go.

I am grateful to be here. I am very grateful to be alive and kicking after my cancer diagnosis. I am grateful there were/are treatments that worked and still work to keep me NED. I truly am. I know many others are not so fortunate.

This is another fine line of survivorship to walk – this whole gratitude and silence thing.

Sometimes, I don’t feel I have the right to complain about side effects and collateral damage from my initial cancer treatment and ongoing endocrine therapy as well. I realize my friends living with metastatic disease would love to be in my shoes. They would love to be NED. I realize they put up with horrendous side effects day in and day out and willingly do so hoping to add months and years to their lives. They hope and pray more treatment options will be available to them when their present one stops working. Side effects mean something entirely different to them.

It’s true, in comparison my issues are minor.

What do I have to complain about?

On the other hand, I also know these same amazing individuals living with mets are some of the most understanding and compassionate people I know. Most would never think of discouraging me from speaking out about my less dire issues, or anything else for that matter. In fact, these very people are often the most supportive of all. They get it like no one else gets it.

My friends with mets inspire me to speak up about my issues. They inspire me to speak up about a lot of things.

So yes, I did feel the unspoken message in that doctor’s words was:  Maybe you shouldn’t complain about your lingering side effects. Maybe you should just suck it up and be grateful that you’re alive.

And this post is not meant to be a criticism of that doctor. Okay, maybe it is a little bit.

I’m trying to make another point about tiptoeing through survivorship.

And that point is that another expectation out there is that we survivors should perhaps keep quiet more often. We shouldn’t complain, or even talk too much about certain things.

We should suck it up more and just be grateful.

The danger in that perhaps is that some will suffer in silence. Or that too many will be satisfied with the status quo.

If we don’t speak up about what we are dealing with regarding treatment side effects (or whatever it is), who will know? Who will listen? Who will care?

And how will things ever improve for those who come after us?

So again…

Of course, I’m grateful to be alive, but…

This does not mean I must be quiet.

Nor must you.

I love the quote below from Audre Lorde, author of The Cancer Journals. Somehow her words seem fitting, not just today and not just for this post, but for any day and any post:

Your silence will not protect you.

So true.

Don’t you agree?

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Have you ever felt as if you’re expected to keep quiet and just be grateful for being alive?

Do you find it hard to speak up about your issues – whatever they are?