Patient or survivor?

I can't find any validation that anyone owns cancer survivor.

Found these two definitions: Survivor(Noun)
a person or thing that survives.
a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks.

Cancer treatments, now that’s a hardship and sometimes setback that applies to the above definition. I hear what posters are saying, but my view is a bit different. Yes in simple terms we are all born to die, and we survive until we die. Yet it is that dash mark between the born date and the expired dates that defines our lives. I hope mine is seen as a survivor of a dreaded incurable disease, far longer than anyone imagined. I am there already.
When I was first diagnosed with Advance PC, Stage 4, and given a 3-5 years prognosis, and "there is not much we can do except palliative treatments" my only thought was if I could only survive past that "dead" line aka that death sentence. I have, it's been 5 years, 8 months, so yes I consider myself a survivor. Yet I look at others, struggling many, many years with insidious diseases, others born with afflictions of major scale. Yet they survive and are truer survivors than me.

At the Cancer Treatment Center, they hold a ceremony, Celebration of Life, for 5-year survivors that have been treated there. They gave me a little ribbon pin, titled "survivor". I was not sure if I should wear it, as others in the struggle are far more deserving. But I do wear it sometimes, as a conversation starter and as a reminder of my goals for the future.

They often refer to us as Cancer Fighters, another well used PR term at my Center. I really don't think I am fighting in the MMA/UFC type of way, or doing anything special to survive. But again, I embrace that term to give out hope and encouragement to others, because the fight to me is more than physical, it is of a spiritual realm also.

Maybe more of a philosophical outlook also, and a deeper meaning for some than to others.
Dan aka Winging my survival

The term "cancer survivor" was coined by the American Cancer Society to apply to anyone who has received a diagnosis of cancer.

I have always felt that I didn't deserve that label, as I have never had any type of treatment. But, that's the consensus label, and it draws in the widest net of people to support research and other cancer efforts.

Wings of Eagles said...
Andrew,
If you post was a reply to me, I didn't mean use that term flipantly, didnt mean to use that word at all really, I just fell into a trap of repeating a prior posers statement,which I really did not agree with. I shall possible delete that reference, and also search for posters inner feelings,everyone's feeling certainly do count,
thanks for the tip.
wingy

Sorry, if my comment made you think I was replying directly to your comment. I get what you're saying, but just wanted to point out that it's more complex than we like to think. A word, any word, can have several meanings and means something different to each person based on a complex matrix of experience, education, culture, and so on.

I'd just like folks to understand that some of us feel like survivors and some don't. I think the important thing is to understand why you feel one way or the other and respect that others may not share your feelings.

It's all good.
Andrew

First it was PCa. Cut it out (RP), Burned it out(RT), starved it out(ADT).
Then skin keratosis - no big deal, but a precursor to melanoma. Froze those off with liquid nitrogen.
Then an Astrocytoma (Brain Cancer - not a PCa met) Inoperable, but they still drilled a hole in my head for a biopsy. Looks like the RT and chemo treatments are beating it for now, but it is expected to recur in 10 years.
Don't know that I am a survivor, but rather a target-rich environment.

I never liked being called a survivor because it reminded me of something I'd rather forget. But then, why the heck am I always checking in here? Guess I've always preferred "cancer free". Makes me feel better.

Tom

White Bird said...
...Then an Astrocytoma (Brain Cancer - not a PCa met) Inoperable, but they still drilled a hole in my head for a biopsy. Looks like the RT and chemo treatments are beating it for now, but it is expected to recur in 10 years.

It's good to hear from you again WB. Coincidentally I had just recently been wondering how you've been doing since you last made us aware of your recent developments (/www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=3961897&g=3968167#m3968167) ... It sounds like you are coping well considering all that has happened. Positive mental attitude is so important when the rest of our systems seem to fall apart.
I hope your treatments continue to keep your GBM in check and maybe that 10 years may perhaps be extended. I think you once said 80 wouldn't be too bad of a lifespan, but I've come to know a few octogenarians who have survived multiple cancers and are sill around. Good luck to you!