Cancer metaphors, dreams, daydreams and such

LoveFromPhilly

There’s been a call for a thread about our cancer metaphors, dreams and/or daydreams.

I’ll start! I think of cancer in my body like a beautiful still pond that has had some algae growing on top - bright green and blocking out the suns rays from nourishing the rest of the life below the algae on the surface. This algae loves to bloom bloom bloom! The cancer medications are like an anti-algae plopped into the pond and causing a retraction of the algae/cancer and hopefully lasting a very long time perhaps forever so the pond can receive sunlight and nutrients and it’s flora and fauna can flourish.

Partyoffive

hi funny you started this post my kids and I were just talking about this..we equate my disease to the spooky music in horror movies-u know something is coming but is a cat jumping out or Jason or Michael! You never know who or whats waiting around the corner. Definitely keeps us on the edge of our seats just wish popcorn and goobers were a cure for mbc.

Chemokaze

My cancer metaphor is a grizzly bear that sits in the corner of the room (or in the back of my mind). When I am scared the bear is growling and ready to attack. When I am feeling not so scared, he just sits quietly....and so do I. Peace..

LoveFromPhilly

partyoffive - hi!! Good to hear from you!! That scary movie metaphor is so perfect! And I think there is another person in this BC.org community who has shared a similar metaphor. Interesting!

Chemokazee - I love the image of the bear in the corner! I dream about bears a LOT. They have such a huge emotional significance for me. Did you hear about the 3 year old boy who was lost in the woods for over 2 days in the cold temperatures recently? He said his friend the bear was with him the whole time

KatyK

I thought it would be an interesting topic as well so I started a new thread several days ago called, Dreams, daydreams, stories we use to cope with our cancer. So I guess there are two now...

LoveFromPhilly

oh Katy that’s funny!! I wish there was a way for us to merge these threads!!!

LoveFromPhilly

but I also love the topic of how we cope with cancer through our dreams and day dreams! It seems a bit different when I read your topic in that context?

Chemokaze

Philly, yes, I heard about that story, but I need to read about it and get the details! Wow....

I just have to ask this - it really belongs with dreams thread....but the other day upon waking up I had this really weird happy feeling......it was so bizarre, but basically I think for a few seconds I forgot about having cancer! Sort of a deja vu .....has this ever happened to any of you?

SusanR

Chemokaze, occasionally I will wake up and for a few seconds wonder if I just dreamt about all I’ve been through! Oh how I wish this was all a dream, but here I am!!

DivineMrsM

Chemokazee, it was years before I felt that, and yea, it's great to have those moments!

I'm not sure I have a metaphor for the cancer, but I do practice a few things. I never refer to it as “my" cancer. I don't claim it or own it. I don't want to hold fast to it. I also never call it the big c, and I never capitalize words when describing it. It is always lower case, as in stage iv, or mbc. I refuse to make it important by capitalizing it.

LoveFromPhilly

I have def woken up and felt very good and happy. I do on most days unless there is something stressing me out - which is typically cancer-related, or if I am worrying about a loved one. This thankfully doesn’t happen to often! It’s gotten even better now that I am on Lexapro, an antidepressant. I am very grateful this medication is working for me!!

MrsD! I also don’t like to call it “my cancer.” I don’t want to own it in that way. I may say something more like “I have been diagnosed with cancer.” Or “I was given a cancer diagnosis.” I have known people who refuse to even mention the word cancer - as they don’t want to give it any power whatsoever. All very interesting and esoteric! I often forget I was diagnosed with cancer until I get a reminder by some random side effect or have to get scans and blood work and my monthly appointments are reminders. And they make me a little grumpy sometimes. Mostly I do try to remain grateful for the positive things that this whole bizarre journey has brought into my life. But I also for sure allow myself to be pissed and sad about the annoying things.