In the movie in my mind, I am the valiant card-carrying cancer warrior, a runner of marathons and wearer of pink. I carry a shield emblazoned with “I SURVIVED!” in huge letters as I cartwheel into oncology offices and sprinkle strength to other patients like fairy dust. I am the comforter of the lost and the downtrodden. For the ones who have lost hope or feel helpless, I am their rock.
I get congratulations for maintaining a sense of humor in the face of adversity, a calm expression during moments of extreme pain. A role model and an inspiration they call me.
It’s a good movie, where I am the hero and I win at everything. At life. At death. At any struggle. But it is, unfortunately, a movie.
Getting cancer is common these days. It’s an epidemic. Fortunately, there are enough movie scripts for dealing with it that I already know how my days will play out. The familiar tropes pop up so often in my real life that I’m no longer surprised by their appearances. I just continue playing the role that I was thrown into. I know how to make everyone laugh at me. I know every breast joke. I’ve written my own stand-up routine. The one-liners and comebacks are right at my disposal. After all, I’ve been watching these tear jerker movies since Terms of Endearment, and my story has a happy ending. I’m not turning into anyones Wind Beneath Their Wings so quickly.
But there is an unscripted part of cancer that I haven’t found in movies or TV. It’s the part that is debilitatingly real. It’s that part that makes its appearance during sleepless nights and 2AM phone calls to friends. It’s the shameful, weak, pathetic part of the cancer warrior. The part that is scared of surgery. That is terrified of the drugs that are constantly coursing through her body. The part that wonders if all there is left is the cancer warrior. If that shield will forever be held up for everyone to see and that it will be the only thing they see. That the pre-cancer person is gone, replaced by someone who looks like a hero but is really just a fragile, scared, wretched girl, looking for someone else to be the champion. Looking to be saved. Looking to get back to where she was before her life was turned upside down.
In short, a fake.
Pain doesn’t always have a logical cause. For weeks I felt the physical pain of surgery, recovery, and reconstruction. I took my meds and threw myself into distractions as my body healed. But as the physical pain subsided, something happened; I wasn’t bouncing back. Instead, a cloud moved in, consuming my nights with a different pain. Guilt that maybe I brought this on myself. Shame that I couldn’t just be happy that I was going to survive. Profound loss for the disaster that was my body, my mind, my soul.
I tried to intellectualize it. I knew that I was so lucky. It was only Stage I. Some people with less fortunate diagnoses would do anything to see that on a pathology report.
And yet. And yet.
Sometimes pain isn’t logical.
There is no logic with this cancer thing. If left alone, it will kill you. If treated, it still kills you. At least a part of you. People who have been there have told me that it gets better. Even with the ten years of medication and all the horrible side-effects, they tell me that I will get back to the old me.
I’d like to believe them.
Most people think I’m already there, packing this experience up into a neat box with comments like, “So you’re done?” or, “So you must feel great! You’re done!”
And I guess for everyone, I am. I’m back. I’m smiling. I’m telling jokes. I’m the warrior. A survivor.
But all I am truly grateful for, truth be told, is that they can’t see me at 2AM.
Can’t see me at all.
Until my movie starts again the next day.
Categories: Distractions, Fear, Insanity, Movies, Philosophy, Uncategorized, Writing
This was an amazing read. You’ll beat it, the energy that comes through your words tells me so. You have a powerful mind, continue to externalize your thoughts and you’ll attract positive energy. Don’t worry about that shield because your fighting with a very sharp sword – well that’s what I can see anyway. All the best x
Thank you so much for the positive encouragement and the vote of confidence. It means a lot. 🙂
Thank you Adina for revealing yourself for us. Unbelievable courage and strong words. Well written!
…not that you’re biased or anything, right? 🙂
“I’m not turning into anyones Wind Beneath Their Wings so quickly.” BEST LINE EVER BEANER!!!!
I can’t say that I know what you are going through, or that it will get better because I don’t know. I’ve not been in your shoes. But I do know that your words moved me to want to write and tell you that I think that admitting this must have taken incredible strength. The kind of strength that will get you through. And an incredible honesty that will move the people in your life to see you through another lense and be sensitive to all of your emotions which, by the way, you are entitled to. And it moved this stranger to keep you in my thoughts and prayers for a complete recovery and also peace of mind and comfort during those scary, dark times.
Thank you so much for your beautiful response. Here’s hoping this roller coaster only goes up from here on out. 🙂
You’re crazy amazing. You HAVE already beaten it and you are the hero to so many people.
Thanks Riki. 🙂
Written like a true warrior. I think you stole the words right out of my head and put them here. Such true reality. I feel the exact same way as you.
Funny how so many people are telling me that. Maybe we’re not so crazy after all. 🙂
Although I’ve never experienced this pain myself, i have walked along side too many of my dear friends who have. Adina, your dealing with his head on, being real and true and honest. It’s not over, and maybe never will be. Each day is a baby step and each moment takes work to get through. You’ve always been strong and i’m sure this is no different. Allow yourself the pain and sadness and allow yourself to feel it take the time to heal emotionally. you will feel like you once again, just a different you
I opened this on my screen a long time ago and read it and something in it prompted me to go back over my blog from treatment days. I don’t remember what I was looking for but I got lost in it for awhile.
I hope every day this week is a little better than the day before.
Thanks. Things definitely get better each day.
What a beautifully written post. With the understanding that I’m completely unqualified to comment, I don’t think you should count yourself out as a true hero–not least of all because you have the strength to pretend to be heroic when you don’t feel that way. I’d wager no hero feels like a hero all the time. Clark Kent is probably pretty anxious at 2 AM too.
Thanks Jen. That’s a cool concept, by the way – Clark Kent at 2AM. I think there’s a song about that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCdEuMk7C9E Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
WE LOVE YOU ADINA!
Okay, here’s my prescription. When you’re not sure if it’s really you or if you’re just playing out a part, just check the name on on your Starbucks cup.
Oh, right.
That might not help after all.
No – wait, maybe it will!
If the cup says Adina on it, it’s probably not you. Or you’re having a BORING moment (do you ever?). If it’s something like Chloe, or Sherlock or Mrs. Sammy Davis Jr. (you safe, girl, you with us now!)…well, you know you’re good 🙂
btw, if it reads Obamanique or UnitedStatesofAmericanKaneesha – it’s time for some therapy 🙂
Awesome blog post. Thanks for sharing! You ROCK!
So sorry to have missed this post – thoughts are with you at this challenging time xo
Thank you Jennifer!