Evolution of the term "Cancer Survivor"

[James65]

PS --

If we do use the term survivor or some other appelation, then I vote you are it from day one. I have been NED for a bit now, but nervously so and could change any time, so I don't think that really is an ending, just another phase of survivorship.

[Rick7]

James65,
That Girlfriend comment cracked me up.
Thanks.

Rick

[wwroam]

I generally use "former cancer patient". Something about "survivor" makes me uneasy, like its tempting fate.
The girlfriend bit got me as well, except that I was 58, not 40.

[PGLGreg]

We don't generally use such terms descriptively, but rather to convey a certain attitude or stance or ideology that we subscribe to. So it's really no good asking whether "survivor" correctly describes us. Description is not the point. Rather, it's a good term for us to use if we want to portray our role as parallel to that other "survivors" -- like (as the author suggests) those who lived through the holocaust prison camps. If you subscribe to the more naturalistic view as simply a disease which medical specialists are uniquely qualified to help us with, you can affiliate yourself with the "scientists" by avoiding the term. Language is such an elaborate game!

[TheBurn]

I want my epithet to read: "He had rectal cancer, but that's not what ultimately killed him."

Hehehe, well let's hope they don't use epithets to describe you

Hehehe--you'd think I'd learn how to use the language, considering what I do for a living. "Hyperbolic chamber;" "Epithet." Sheesh.

Funny, just the other day I saw someone write about "hurling racial epitaphs"

[Surroundedbylove]

I have evolved with my feelings about the word. I had heard for years that cancer survivors are "survivors" beginning with the day day diagnosed and thus working on surviving. I didn't like the word at all until recently. Somehow I've moved along enough in my journey - psychological journey in this case - to feel like it is now OK for me to label myself as a survivor.

Unrelated to the psychological feeling - in terms of "when do you start counting" things (prompted by Fletch's post) - my oncologist says that you start counting from the first intervention - whether chemo, radiation, or surgery (and assuming the first intervention is within just a few weeks of diagnosis, then you actually count from diagnosis).

[Lee]

BrownBagger,

Thanks for the interesting article. I've heard your a survivor from the time you are diagnosed. But I'm like a few others and did not want to jinx myself thus I never used the word. I was about 4+ years out from diagnoses, when I actually used the word for the first time. Even today, I still feel scared using that word to describe myself.

Lee

[cptmac]

At first, I didn't like calling myself a survivor either. However, a theory I've heard is that the moment you find out you have cancer, you are a survivor. You have cancer in your body right now and are surviving it. So, I kind of liked what that said.

What bothered me more so was when I would see obits, or hear people talking about people who had cancer and how they were battling the disease. Well, I had vertually no side effects, so I never felt I was battling the disease. My insurance company was a different story. They initially refused to pay for any of my treatment. I had to go line by line and prove that I needed the treatment.

So, I told my family if I died, I wanted my obit to read.

"She never battled colon cancer, however, she did face a long battle with her insurance company."

[BrownBagger]

Funny, just the other day I saw someone write about "hurling racial epitaphs"

I was thinking about this on my way to work this morning, got a visual, and it cracked me up. I can just see a crowd of people shouting "[racial slur of choice] lived a good life!" "[racial slur of choice] was a good husband and father!"

On the "survivor" jinx: And I thought I was the only superstitious one around here. Personally, I view "survivor" as meaning it hasn't killed me yet, even though it's tried. Now "cured" is a word I will probably never use. That's a big jinx in my book.

[James65]

Exactly, the word "Cured" is a word that I will never use.

[CRguy]

I don't really have any problems with the term survivor, but generally don't use it for myself...but refer to others as being survivors. I liken it to "still being in the game of life." Do your best, get out on the field and keep playing the game. No guarantees of winning or losing...just being in the game. So I really don't attach to the idea of a survivor "winning" something or "not losing yet." Just me.

In terms of a CRC diagnosis, I would feel OK about saying that we are "surviving" as soon as the first little mo'fo cancer cell gets outta control...and we just keep on tickin'...again just me. Maybe that's why I tend to use the term "peaceful warrior" more to describe being engaged in the "battle" if you will...but not so much as going out to win necessarily... but better to keep on, keepin' on and NOT lose ! Comes from the old Samurai idea of going into battle not to defeat the enemy, but not to BE defeated yourself. Perhaps a distinction without a difference ????

Interesting take on the use of "cure." All of my SurgOncs and my current MedOncs use the term "curative" intent, not palliation with regards to my newly improved upgraded Stage IV status. Don't know if it is just their "PosiTalk" coming through (this Cancer Agency is VERY upbeat) or they are relating a view based on their own experiences ????? Really don't care as I like the attitude and it is the main reason I dropped my last MedOnc. He and the RadOnc were generally of the 'doom 'n gloom' school of bedside manner.

I like positive..so here I stay...cue Dusty Springfield...."wishin' and hopin'..."
YMMV.... but everybody likes Dusty !!!

In Harmony
CRguy

[BrownBagger]

None of my three current doctors seems inclined to blow smoke up a guy's J-pouch, so I consider their remarkably consistent optimistic outlooks regarding my case to be a positive sign.

[Terry]

I guess it's all personal and people will use whatever term they feel comfortable with. All I know is right now I'm "surviving" and if ten years from now I'm still alive if someone wants to call me a survivor, I'll take it.

[chrissyrice]

I agree with so much posted here.

I don't like the word "survivor" for me; as it makes me feel like a Victim and not a Victor of colon cancer.

I like to say I am cancer free today and I am hoping to continue to be so for many more days!