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Cancer "survivor": How do you feel about this term?
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JosephineO
Community managerGood advisor
What about you? What do you think about this term? It would be wonderful to hear everyone's different opinions.
@Charlee73 @Jo1977 @Dustylady @sallygood @maddoglady @robjmckinney @candle76 @jools06 @herbert37 @Tigger.co.uk @Sandie7 @raymondwalley @Itadee01 @Amanda28 @Magsd14 @mikesalmons @Jellag @Sara65
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Josephine, Community Manager
Greggy
Good advisor
Thank you for this discussion as it was something I used to think a lot about when I was first diagnosed. I feel like the title "survivor" comes because cancer can come in waves...remission and then back again...so getting through that feels like a long, drawn out war.
I'm not against the use of the word but it isn't one I would use for myself.
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Greggy
Cervicaldystonia
Good advisor
My mother very much disliked the phrase "survivor" she would always brush that comment underneath the table. However, she is quite a private woman and always kept any of "real" feelings about her disease secret because she didn't like to talk about it with her children.
Brigde
Survivor is not a word I use , I got over it just in my mind. Surviving to me is like drowning type of thing surviving a drowning.. . I just got over and on with it.. lol everybody is different.
sugarpuff67
I would not use that word either, I have been clear now for 2 years, being diagnosed and treated in 2 months I really never got time to process having cancer. Being told I had it for approx 2 years, I had no symptoms, but I am now dealing with all the side effects from the treatment everyday
Tigger.co.uk
Good advisor
I dont class myself as a survivor as I still have nine years to wait for the all clear ,I class myself as a strong willed woman as I have so many other illnesses I feel like screaming at times as I still am worried about my cancer sometimes I find it hard to sleep incase I dont wake up so I'm not a survivor I am a fighter and a walking miracle because of everything I have had to deal with in my life ,I have been bullied ,raped,in domestic violence in my first marriage, I have 3 bad marriages, been stalked ,had my life threatened ,lived on the street for 3 months ,and had loads of other things in my life but I am still not a survivor I am a walking miracle and a fighter I never let anything beat me
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D M A
maddoglady
Good advisor
Personally I hate the term 'survivor' I never use it and would hate to be referred to as a Cancer survivor.
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Maddoglady!
Gedsbones
I would never use the word survivor and feel that you have to fight so hard with the treatment and side effects which go on after the treatment ends.
byrneann22
I was diagnosed.and on daily treatment so survivor is not a word I use yet, I still get anxious, most days , it is the treatment that worried me
Sandie7
Good advisor
I have survived it for just over 9 years so far so yes i think i am a survivor and a strong woman
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Ms s lovatt
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JosephineO
Community managerGood advisor
Hello Carenity members,
In thinking about cancer and reading about recent health articles, it seems that "survivor" is a term used for those recovering/defeating cancer... cancer survivor. For example, people who have survived a heart attack are not deemed heart attack survivors or people who overcome diabetes or any other ailment, etc., are not termed "survivor".
Survivor is a very powerful word and, has a deep meaning of someone who is strong and overcome the toughest obstacle... a word that rightfully describes those who recover/defeat cancer. What are your opinions on the use of the word in relation to cancer.
Do you use it as a word to describe yourself?
Do you think there is a stigma attached to one saying they were diagnosed with cancer?
Where do you think use of the word came from?
I look forward to your opinions and views.