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Survivorship: How is it going?

Posted by valentinaz @valentinaz, Jun 20 6:46pm

Hello dear ones❤ I'm interested in our experiences navigating survivorship: what do you find helpful and/or healing? How do you define healing? Is there something or someone you're looking for but can't find? I'm curious about this because I notice many of us here on Mayo Connect find comfort and community with other survivors; sometimes our friends, families and loved ones don't want to talk about our cancer anymore. They're just happy and relieved we're still here with them! I get that, but I feel drawn to explore this common ground we share, and the sequela we still experience. If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thank you in advance: I know this can be triggering, so I deeply appreciate anyone willing to engage on this topic. (This photo of a gorgeous Maya figurine looks like a healer to me!)

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

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Denise | @denisestlouie | Jun 25 11:23am

I prefer to not think about it as survivorship. I I'm not surviving I'm thriving. That thriving piece comes form me and me alone. I choose how to think about my experiences. I choose to be either a victim, survivor or thriver.

Doctors are often noncommittal. With rate diseases they have no answers. So it's up to us to decide how we live.

I don't talk with people about my experience with cancer because it almost always is shock and horror and then they pass the news which gets twisted over time. I won't talk to people about my experience who have had cancer and wear it like a badge or a death sentence I'm not berating them for their choice to do that. I just don't want to be in that camp.

I do have thoughts of cancer everyday
It's now part of who I am just like my blue eyes are part of who I am. Eventually I will think of cancer as often as I think of my blues eyes. Often but not obsessive.

I like these forums. They give me the opportunity to express myself without going public to my people.

Denise

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valentinaz | @valentinaz | Jun 25 12:57pm
In reply to @denisestlouie "I prefer to not think about it as survivorship. I I'm not surviving I'm thriving. That..." + (show)
Profile picture for Denise @denisestlouie

I prefer to not think about it as survivorship. I I'm not surviving I'm thriving. That thriving piece comes form me and me alone. I choose how to think about my experiences. I choose to be either a victim, survivor or thriver.

Doctors are often noncommittal. With rate diseases they have no answers. So it's up to us to decide how we live.

I don't talk with people about my experience with cancer because it almost always is shock and horror and then they pass the news which gets twisted over time. I won't talk to people about my experience who have had cancer and wear it like a badge or a death sentence I'm not berating them for their choice to do that. I just don't want to be in that camp.

I do have thoughts of cancer everyday
It's now part of who I am just like my blue eyes are part of who I am. Eventually I will think of cancer as often as I think of my blues eyes. Often but not obsessive.

I like these forums. They give me the opportunity to express myself without going public to my people.

Denise

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@denisestlouie Thank you for your thoughtful response. I'm glad to know you're thriving and that these forums give you the opportunity to express yourself in ways that you might not want to in public. This space, and writing, are such helpful gifts to us, aren't they?🥰

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