I was listening to NPR this morning, as I sometimes do, streaming online.
There was an interview with author Barbara Ehrenreich, who happens to be a "cancer survivor," but it came up that Ehrenreich doesn't approve of this term. Her reasoning is clear and I found myself agreeing: the term "cancer survivor" devalues those who die. I see her point.
I was reminded of a conversation I had with Curt a few days ago. Curt used to talk a lot about Steve Jobs, as someone he admired and tried to emulate in some ways. Steve Jobs is a popular idol for entrepreneurial types, there is no doubt, and Curt was just being stereotypical in this respect.
When I said something about Jobs the other day, however, Curt announced, "I don't respect him anymore."
"Why not?" I asked.
"He died."
I was rather taken aback by this. I pointed out that he had died of cancer. Curt nodded. I asked Curt, then, "Would you no longer respect me if I died of cancer?" – a distinct possibility, given my recent travails.
Curt paused awkwardly. "Maybe," he finally answered, as if making a joke. I wasn't so certain it was entirely in jest, however. There's something to that, and it matches up with Ehrenreich's comment: by making "heroes" of the survivors we're also making a cult of success against something that is beyond our control. It's a bit like making heroes out of lottery winners – which, come to think of it, our culture does too, doesn't it?
So I hereby announce my discomfort with the term "cancer survivor." Nevertheless, I don't plan on changing the wording at left. It has some value as being a shorthand way to convey succinctly my current situation, both physical and mental.
[daily log: walking, 6.5]
I agree, those who have fought cancer and lost are in no way any less heroes. Having watched both my mother and my mother-in-law fight their battles and been active care-giver for both, I can say that both of them are heroes in my book. Anyone who fights cancer, whether they win or lose, is a hero and deserves respect. Fight on, Jared.