“Big or Small, Save them All” I can't believe that slogan is being used to raise money for breast cancer. As others have so eloquently stated, breast cancer research should revolve around saving our lives. I also think having a mastectomy followed by chemo and radiation is almost unbelievable difficult. How did this treatment help "save my breast"? Really trivializes our experiences. This month my newspaper had a special pink insert with a number of breast cancer patient stories. I hate reading these "survivor" stories because I think the authors' edit out the painful, scarey stuff. How do any of us know we are survivors until we die of something else?
Maybe I need to find a way to make myself not be so jumpy every time I find the pink in my face. OTOH, I don't want to become desensitized if I'd miss a chance to de-pinkify the situation.
Yesterday, at the drugstore as I was ringing up, the cashier asked me if I'd like to make a donation to BC. I said, "no thank you; I already have."
Today at work, a colleague sent me a copy of a piece in today's local paper about a young woman (40) dx'd a year ago at Stage II who is training for an ironman triathalon. While we all wish this woman the best, the colleague who sent it along to inspire me should know better - her own mother died of BC.
Today after work, at the post office, buying stamps. I asked to see the choices. The clerk showed them to me and talked during: "Here are flags, Johnny Cash, Chinese New Year, and ... oh, breast cancer. They're $2.00 more."
Ack!
What doesn't seem to be expressed directly much is that there are many, many women who have had BC who thrive on this stuff. We all have our ways of coping with the monster, but if I see someone decked out in pinkaphernalia I’m probably going to cut a wide path.
There is such a culture of genuine caring and support here, such an abundance of genuine empathy and incredible sharing of knowledge. I have gotten used to it over the years and I depend on it. And it feels so good to give it back from time to time. Then I go into brain shock when I see the repulsive mass of cheap pink stuff also purporting to be about breast cancer. I can't get over the cognitive dissonance of Pocktober.
There is such a culture of genuine caring and support here, such an abundance of genuine empathy and incredible sharing of knowledge. I have gotten used to it over the years and I depend on it. And it feels so good to give it back from time to time. Then I go into brain shock when I see the repulsive mass of cheap pink stuff also purporting to be about breast cancer. I can't get over the cognitive dissonance of Pocktober.
Carol, I shared what you wrote with my daughters. I have tried to explain to them how uncomfortable all the pink hype makes me, but hearing what you wrote made it clearer for them..thank you! I truly am grateful to anyone willing to give of themselves for the good of an other..in this case BC patients. But, sadly I feel some of the pink hype is not rooted in compassion, but rather in using a deadly disease for self profit!
