Now that I have completed my radiation therapy I can start saying that I am a ‘cancer survivor”. But I choke on the term. Survivor?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines survive: to remain alive or in existence : live on. That’s OK but it feels so passive.
So, rather than Cancer Survivor I plan to call myself a Cancer Veteran (with absolutely no disrespect to military veterans, some of whom are my family).
I feel like I have been at war with a very formidable enemy. I am recovering from some serious wounds and I am still in the battle for my health. Already I am sharing Cancer War stories with other veterans.
I did more than simply survive.
I fought.
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I love your idea. It is surely more you!
Lenall
By: Lenall on August 30, 2010
at 10:25 am
Cancer veteran…that’s much better for you than that other, outdated term. You fought and won!
By: Roger on August 31, 2010
at 5:31 pm