The more I learn about breast cancer the more I think the term "survivor" seems odd. I like Ford's Warriors in Pink campaign and the reminder that this is an ongoing battle for the women that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. And so, it is those individuals to whom I pay tribute in this post.
I'll be honest, when I was first diagnosed the first person I thought of was the childhood friend I had lost the year before. But then I started to think about "J", a friend at church who was diagnosed years ago when our daughters were in still elementary school. She is fabulous and has provided support and is person I know I can reach out to at a moments notice for information and guidance. At there are more at church. "K" - who is one of the strongest women I know and whom I would never have known had breast cancer except that she was one of many people I was pointed to as resources from my church who had breast cancer and kicked it to the curb.
At work there were more warriors, and there are friends in my community and friends of friends who reached out with offers of help, support, experience and love. 1 in 8 equates to a lot of warriors.
What is it about being a warrior that makes these women so special; that makes them wear pink and walk for 3 days or even just 5k? What makes them speak out and continue to bring attention to this disease? Or silently move about their life, keeping the waters calm and the path clear for their family, quiet heroines in the battle?
I think it's just the fact that they are focused on moving forward with life, of battling and surviving and moving forward. And because breast cancer is by far the leading cancer in women, and second only to prostate cancer in the combined population (btw - prostate cancer is associated to the BRCA gene also), so we hear about breast cancer more.
But cancer is cancer; and warriors are warriors. And my dear friend who is battling colon cancer right now, she is a warrior. And my daughter, who takes this journey with me, she is a warrior.
And cancer is personal. We approach our diagnoses different. Some want information and as much knowledge as they can get, others want normality and to move beyond with as little thought to their cancer as possible. There is no right way, but there are plenty of warriors out there who set amazing examples which we can learn from and follow.
And follow we do, because more people survive cancer than don't; and survival rates are increasing and treatment is improving and research is gaining more and more information. And even the statistics they give me today on what the chances are of surviving for 10 years are based on people who had a diagnosis 10 or more years ago, and didn't have the advantage of today's treatments and research.
So call me a warrior, because I will continue to battle for a cure long after I am cured.
And I will survive.
que: Gloria Gaynor :)
post script: If you are a warrior I would love to hear from you, please add a comment or drop me a note.
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