Spot on, Jeanie. None of us escape cancer unscathed, and I never think of it as a battle to be won or lost but rather an epic struggle. The grace and endurance that my wife displayed in her struggle was the most remarkable thing I’ve witnessed in my life. She repeatedly found a way to live with the new reality that each phase of treatment presented.
Your words resonate deeply, Kevin. I agree "epic struggle" captures the experience more honestly than the language of battle ever could. Tina’s grace and endurance remain a powerful testament to her strength and spirit. To me, she will always live on as a survivor, carried in my heart.
Thanks for sharing this thoughtful piece, Jeanne. I agree with you about the use of survivorship. I still don’t consider myself a survivor, but see myself fighting cancer for the rest of my life. I don’t want a recurrence.
Thank you for sharing, Rick. I agree the word “survivor” can feel too neat for something as ongoing and complex as living with cancer or the possibility of a recurrence.
My heartfelt condolences for the loss of your friend, Jeannie. Warm wishes and hugs.
I hear you. You've eloquently shared what I feel and have felt for my parents, my friends, and as a caregiver. There is a constant background level of uncertainty, fear mixed with some envy of others' and grief of carefree-dom.
Given my experiences, I cannot relate to the word 'survivorship', but I never had that expectation, so I don't feel its lack. Instead, I'm grateful that we have stability and calm (even with the uncertainty) because I'm too familiar with instability, waiting for the next cardiac event in a state of hypervigilance. This 'new' level of predictability is a relief and blessing for us.
Jeannie, you articulated so beautifully what I have been hearing from patients living with cancer for years. Thank you for sharing your lived insights on the topic of “Survivorship”. It brought to mind so many of the courageous patients I came to know and love who fought their battles like the fiercest warriors, just like your husband and Kevin’s wife with grace, endurance and a deep well of resiliency. Although some of them are no longer with us, they have transcended this life and continue to live on in my heart as survivors. I could never see them as anything else. 🩷
I would love to see another essay and your ideas on what else we might call this post-cancer treatment phase of life. Sending you love and holding you in my thoughts and prayers for a clear scan my friend.
Thank you for your kind comment, Kerri. Finding the right language for those of us who are “cancer-free” is no easy task. Survivor resonates for many, but for others, it can feel too narrow to capture the full complexity of the experience. I promise to gather my thoughts and write more on this.
I love your analogy of the bridge formed from you to your students because of your combined struggles. Meeting life’s challenges head on is strengthening. Thank you for another wonderful article.
Thank you, Jeannie, for another thoughtful and well written perspective and revelation of the human spirit. Bless all the caregivers.
Spot on, Jeanie. None of us escape cancer unscathed, and I never think of it as a battle to be won or lost but rather an epic struggle. The grace and endurance that my wife displayed in her struggle was the most remarkable thing I’ve witnessed in my life. She repeatedly found a way to live with the new reality that each phase of treatment presented.
Your words resonate deeply, Kevin. I agree "epic struggle" captures the experience more honestly than the language of battle ever could. Tina’s grace and endurance remain a powerful testament to her strength and spirit. To me, she will always live on as a survivor, carried in my heart.
Jeannie,
I hope that your MRI is clear. Thinking of you. 🤗
Thanks for sharing this thoughtful piece, Jeanne. I agree with you about the use of survivorship. I still don’t consider myself a survivor, but see myself fighting cancer for the rest of my life. I don’t want a recurrence.
Thank you for sharing, Rick. I agree the word “survivor” can feel too neat for something as ongoing and complex as living with cancer or the possibility of a recurrence.
My heartfelt condolences for the loss of your friend, Jeannie. Warm wishes and hugs.
I hear you. You've eloquently shared what I feel and have felt for my parents, my friends, and as a caregiver. There is a constant background level of uncertainty, fear mixed with some envy of others' and grief of carefree-dom.
Given my experiences, I cannot relate to the word 'survivorship', but I never had that expectation, so I don't feel its lack. Instead, I'm grateful that we have stability and calm (even with the uncertainty) because I'm too familiar with instability, waiting for the next cardiac event in a state of hypervigilance. This 'new' level of predictability is a relief and blessing for us.
Jeannie, you articulated so beautifully what I have been hearing from patients living with cancer for years. Thank you for sharing your lived insights on the topic of “Survivorship”. It brought to mind so many of the courageous patients I came to know and love who fought their battles like the fiercest warriors, just like your husband and Kevin’s wife with grace, endurance and a deep well of resiliency. Although some of them are no longer with us, they have transcended this life and continue to live on in my heart as survivors. I could never see them as anything else. 🩷
I would love to see another essay and your ideas on what else we might call this post-cancer treatment phase of life. Sending you love and holding you in my thoughts and prayers for a clear scan my friend.
Thank you for your kind comment, Kerri. Finding the right language for those of us who are “cancer-free” is no easy task. Survivor resonates for many, but for others, it can feel too narrow to capture the full complexity of the experience. I promise to gather my thoughts and write more on this.
I love your analogy of the bridge formed from you to your students because of your combined struggles. Meeting life’s challenges head on is strengthening. Thank you for another wonderful article.