Cancer Survivorship Celebration

New Flower
New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
edited June 2011 in Breast Cancer #1
Today Ines invited me to Cancer Survivorship Celebration. The speaker was a Palliative Care doctor 45 years old doctor who has had surgery, Chemo, and radiation, feeding tube inserted, and is a 15 months cancer survivor himself. While he mentioned that he is still reflecting on his cancer diagnosis and treatment journey, he thinks about cancer as his best friend. The best friend who is the worst enemy at the same time. He even thanked cancer for teaching him compassion and life lessons. His take on cancer is different then most survivors. Any thoughts?
New Flower

Comments

  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #2
    Interesting Outlook
    Yes, that was an incredible, mind boggling viewpoint on cancer. I sure have learned a heck of a lot as a result of cancer coming into my life, but I just can't call the beast a best friend. The guest speaker is an amazing person, doctor. His wife was diagnosed about a year prior to him with breast cancer, amazing.

    Olga and I went to this celebration. It was wonderful seeing so many Survivors at the event. One woman who spoke said she is a 24 year Survivor who happens to be Stage 4. She looked GREAT and is going STRONG!

    Olga... you did a great job of sharing. Hugs to you. I am looking forward to breaking bread once again with you and the other Survivors come June 18th!

    Ines
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #3
    Well, he's a better person than me
    cuz I ain't never, not ever, gonna say that cancer is my best friend, but I will agree on the worst enemy part.

    I can see where he's coming from, but no, not my best friend!

    Sue
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #4
    New Flower
    I wouldn't say cancer was a friend by any means but I think you do look at life differently. My cancer center has a Survivorship Celebration next week but I'm not going. (I'll be watching granddaughters.) Scott Hamilton (the figure skater) is the guest speaker.
    Char
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #5
    Bella Luna said:

    Interesting Outlook
    Yes, that was an incredible, mind boggling viewpoint on cancer. I sure have learned a heck of a lot as a result of cancer coming into my life, but I just can't call the beast a best friend. The guest speaker is an amazing person, doctor. His wife was diagnosed about a year prior to him with breast cancer, amazing.

    Olga and I went to this celebration. It was wonderful seeing so many Survivors at the event. One woman who spoke said she is a 24 year Survivor who happens to be Stage 4. She looked GREAT and is going STRONG!

    Olga... you did a great job of sharing. Hugs to you. I am looking forward to breaking bread once again with you and the other Survivors come June 18th!

    Ines

    This is interesting. I look
    This is interesting. I look at cancer as my enemy and I had to fight with all that I could. There have been good things come out of it, as, my husband, friends, coworkers and family have all shown me so much support and love. It has been amazing! But, a friend..never.♥ Kristin ♥
  • cavediver
    cavediver Member Posts: 607
    #6
    Best Friend? NOT
    wow...he must be on better drugs than me! Sorry, first thought that popped into my head. I know we all deall with the beast in our own way, and his way is definitely different than most of us. My best friends don't do to me what this cancer did. But, it that is what he needs to get through this...good for him. I just think it is an enemy to be dealt with.
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #7
    cavediver said:

    Best Friend? NOT
    wow...he must be on better drugs than me! Sorry, first thought that popped into my head. I know we all deall with the beast in our own way, and his way is definitely different than most of us. My best friends don't do to me what this cancer did. But, it that is what he needs to get through this...good for him. I just think it is an enemy to be dealt with.


    Maybe he meant it has



    Maybe he meant it has taught him lessons in life that he never would have learned otherwise. I feel this way and I know a lot of people don't understand when I say that. To use the word FRIEND however is a bit strong for even me. :)
  • aysemari
    aysemari Member Posts: 1,596 Member
    #8
    Many thoughts..
    I consider cancer as my reality check.. In a way I feel fortunate to have gained the
    ability to fully appreciate life. And on the other hand I feel like a child and I just found
    out that the easter bunny ganged up with the Santa clause to assassinate the tooth fairy
    and use all the teeth she has gathered so far as ammunition to kill all the fairies and their godmothers!!

    In short I feel as though I lost my innocence and sense of careless living!

    Hugs,
    Ayse
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #9
    Lighthouse_7 said:


    Maybe he meant it has



    Maybe he meant it has taught him lessons in life that he never would have learned otherwise. I feel this way and I know a lot of people don't understand when I say that. To use the word FRIEND however is a bit strong for even me. :)

    He got a standing ovation from about 100 survivors
    I decided to share his interesting point of view. I do not take cancer personally, to me that was an event, like natural disaster. I still have to deal with aftermath of this event, which have taught me and changed me and the way I look at life and myself. Since my diagnosis I live my life keeping in mind how I would like to be remembered by other people and what memories of me my family and friends would have when I am not here.
    We all have been damaged by cancer, and emotional and phycological healing is a very difficult process. If we can accept different point of view or at least discuss it, I think healing has began...

    Thank you very much
    New Flower
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #10
    aysemari said:

    Many thoughts..
    I consider cancer as my reality check.. In a way I feel fortunate to have gained the
    ability to fully appreciate life. And on the other hand I feel like a child and I just found
    out that the easter bunny ganged up with the Santa clause to assassinate the tooth fairy
    and use all the teeth she has gathered so far as ammunition to kill all the fairies and their godmothers!!

    In short I feel as though I lost my innocence and sense of careless living!

    Hugs,
    Ayse

    Ayse, you're funny!
    I also see Cancer as a reality check, spiritually, physically & emotionally.

    I can understand where he's coming from, not so much as Cancer being a friend in terms of the physical assault on the body and mind, but because it makes life more meaningful, more precious.

    It's so ironic that it has to take your life being threatened, to not take life for granted. I know that sounds strange.

    Having this illness can cause you to do what maybe normally, you wouldn't do. Apologies being said or accepted, telling people you love them, not sweating the stuff that used to get to you...things like that...positive things. I'm actually grateful for the change.

    I still hate what it does to your body.

    This was an interesting post.


    Hugs,

    Sylvia

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