The word "Survivor."

I have been living with breast cancer for 20 years, I do consider myself a survivor but not just surviving breast cancer, actually just surviving life. I like the fight like a girl thing, for myself it is a funny way to remind myself to keep on keepin on. I also like tough enough to wear pink because I have pink tack for my giant 17 hand black warlander that I ride. I did this on my 19 hand giant black shire as well.
I don’t internalize the war, but I do love the conversation starters. I wear pink every single day in October. Partially I do this because I love pink, but I also believe if this reminds one woman to get a mammogram that finds early cancer, it is worth it.
I do quite a bit of patient advocacy work so I find these are tools without getting into the weeds about wording.
I drive a big truck, I ride big horses and I work hard at the farm, I think I might be tough enough to wear whatever color I want. 😂😂

I no longer have horses, but I used to ride and had my fair share of big horses too! I also drive a big JEEP! :o) I am just learning about "We wear pink in October". I will need to research a bit more about what that all about.

I don't find survivor helpful or accurate.
I don't feel I am in a war - cancer is not my enemy - it is more like a confused group of cells was successful in doing what cells do- grow.

Totally agree, and I am also with you on the pink stuff. Here we even have vanity license plates with breast cancer survivor on them. Its your medical history, it's private.

@edwendt I like your perspective on cancer cells as going innocently awry, rather than as a sinister enemy. I meditated on having a more positive view of cancer in my body and for me it helped to reduced stress.

Someone recently called me a Survivor and I looked behind me to see who they were talking about. It doesn't fit for me. If I am being honest the fear was the worst part of my breast cancer. I was lucky and blessed to only have a double mastectomy with no follow up chemo or radiation, nor medication. I think of a Survivor who was brought to death's door and survives. I would feel like a fraud being called this name. I have met others in the waiting rooms of my many appointments who certainly classify as Survivors.

I do agree with you. It’s from a place of calm and peace where I’m giving my body the opportunity to heal. Not from a place of war.

I agree. I find I’m in a better place to feel like I’m loving myself more in order to heal. That way I’m a winner whether it heals completely or not. I feel like survivor is a medical term they use for statistics…not to be pessimistic. They said that to me after the surgery, yet I’m on my third round of chemo. Maybe I’ll feel more like a “survivor” in 5 years if it doesn’t come back?!

I had very early stage carcinoma, no chemo, no radiation, just removal and clear margins, thank god, but looking around at even my 2sibs, one has 4th stage esophageal cancer and one has 3rd stage lung , I don’t consider “survivor “ to be about me at all. I just thank god that I found mine early, and there are many “ fighters/survivors” that have been through so much, prayers for you all. I just feel “ I am blessed”.

I agree with your approach to seek peace in the face of a cancer diagnosis. I believe in the healing power of God and rely on my faith to calm this storm. I seek out people who are loving and affirming. The warrior analogy doesn’t fit my personality. I prefer to find inner peace with relaxation and prayer.

The pink movement was started to enhance awareness of breast health snd funding for breast cancer research. In that regard I appreciate its inception and intent.