Is It Too Much?

Route53

For those of us who live with cancer every day, I know that while many of us want to fight the disease, but we all need the down time.  Especially now as we end Breast Cancer Awareness month, there seems to be a run or walk every weekend, a special show ice skating show, a rock and roll show, or a fashion show all in the name of cancer.

Where I am in San Francisco, there seems to be a pink ribbon on every food item from yogurt to milk to fruit.  It seems that everyone including my nieces are asking us if we'd sponsor them in their breast cancer walks, but the other day I just about cracked.

As I was checking out of my local Safeway, the checkout girl asked me if I'd like to contribute more money in the name of breast cancer to the Safeway Foundation.  I had already selected food items that contributed to the Foundation.  I told the girl politely, "No Thank You".  She then asked me if I was sure and that 1 in 8 women get breast cancer.....  I politely told her "Yes, thank you"..and she gave me a disappointed look. 

What was I supposed to day?  "Give me a break, I've had 2 of those 8 happen closest to me?"

Sorry, I just had to vent!  I just feel like in this recessionary economy that I can't get away from people asking me for more money for breast cancer research when I've given so much already.

roseg

I think a short "no thanks" is all that's owed.

You've made your charitable contributions already.

NoH8

Why not just tell her you're a survivor?

In the grocery store the clerk (also a bc survivor) asked me if I wanted to donate to breast cancer. I gave her a dead pan response, "I've already given 2 breasts." We both busted out laughing and she told me as did the people in line.

I for one am eternally grateful for all the pink ribbons and support that our cancer has received. I wouldn't have been known so much about breast cancer if not for that and been so vigilant or proactive in insisting on the removal of the lump when the surgeon wanted me to wait 3-6 months to see if it changed. There are tens of thousands of people with other cancers and diseases that don't get the exposure, research and funding dollars. I think of people with lung cancer, who are blamed for smoking (even if they didn't smoke). They don't get the kind  of contributions and public support we do as breast cancer survivors, even though the mortality is higher.

BethNY

Erik you're probably too nice of a person (based on getting to know you from your posts) and I would've totally snapped, and when the clerk said that to you, I would've been like, yeah, My wife is one of those women.

And then her face would've dropped, and I'd probably feel bad about it later on, but we've all been there.

AMY- I love, love, love your response, and I will use it from now on. 

Fitztwins

I would have said, I gave at the oncology office.

Route53

Thank y'all,  I think I'm okay now that I've calmed down.   I just couldn't "Put it to her" like that.  In a way I blame Safeway for putting the cashiers in that position without adequate training.

Obama4, I totally agree with you.  I feel so fortunate that my wife has so many people around her who care about her type of cancer and know what she is going through, but there are so many other kinds of cancer and many who suffer in silence. 

The day I was waiting for my wife to come out of surgery, I saw a young girl in her 20s looking frightened check in to the waiting room.  She looked at the pamphlet rack and eagerly started reading and crying.  When the counselor called her name later on, I got up to look at the pamphlet she was reading.  It was about cancer that had spread to the brain.  I felt so bad for her.  She seemed so alone and I still scan the hospital every time I take my wife. 

Route53

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KAK

Erik, I have to say I'm glad it's Halloween today & the end of Pink Month.  Yesterday, one of the local middle schools was having a Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Day (meanwhile I think the official BCA "day" was 10/18, but who gives a rodent's tush at this point?) so a bunch of the folks in my office were wearing pink because they have kids in this school.  I myself wore black & orange in honor of Halloween with my pumpkin & black cat socks.  So, a woman asked me why I wasn't wearing pink & didn't I know it was BC Awareness Day.  So, I pulled my fleshy pink prosthesis out of my bra & said, "I am wearing pink - forever."

Kathi

abbadoodles

Awesome, KAK.

Route53

Kathi,

Thanks for the great laugh!  And what a great icon!!!  You Rock!

Route53

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KAK

Thanks, comrades!!  Rock on, everyone, & get out there & vote tomorrow!

Kathi

Sunshine99

Wow!  Thanks for the good responses.  I shop at Safeway (Vons, in Southern Cal) and they always ask me - unless it is a checker I know and they know I've been through it.  I still feel guilty - like I own them an explanation.  Oh, the power of guilt!

Sunshine

Route53

LOL!  Well in the end it is still cheaper than Whole Foods!

Route53

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