Am I wrong?

You are not wrong!

There are so many needs in the world, and so much good to be done! Just because you happen to have got a particular disease, does not mean that has to be your cause. And if you just need a break from all causes and some time to recuperate and recenter yourself, that's fine too!

Maybe your sister would just enjoy your company, and you can find other things to do to spend time with her? But otherwise, no, don't feel a second of guilt. She chose her cause(s), you get to choose yours.

Frankly, I'd tell her to piss off, you already donated enough to breast cancer. Of course, you can tidy up the wording if you want. 😁

It is absolutely 100% right to feel any way that you feel. None of us chose cancer but we absolutely have the right to choose how we handle it and how we feel about it as individuals.

I was the same after my diagnosis and throughout treatment - I even told my husband that we didn't need to tell anyone. I said I wouldn't wear a pink anything and that I didn't want to be known as a survivor at all. I wanted to just forget it ever happened. Now I feel entirely differently - and mine is an unpopular opinion here! I surprised myself during October - I was prepared to be super upset but I actually liked seeing the ribbons all over. I was SHOCKED that I felt like this. I felt like the ribbons were a big hug every time I saw one. Am I making you guys nauseous yet? Sometimes I really do think WHO AM I?

But even so, I am not interested in volunteering. I already volunteer and my volunteer organization needs me too. Proud to be a survivor, yes - but not cancer girl.

I have a good friend who is an 11 year survivor and she goes to every BC event there is. She goes on retreats, trips, etc. I just don't see myself doing that either. She always talks about hanging out with her "cancer friends" like it's nothing!

Stretchygirl, we are all individuals - despite the fact that society loves to group us all under categories like "Breast Cancer Survivors". It makes it easier for THEM to do this. We must just keep on being ourselves and know that there are no wrong ways to feel.

Here's the thing too. It is a frigging bore to be “sick girl." I got so damn sick of never having a conversation that didn't involve “how are you FEELING?" “Are you doing okay?" I just wanted to be me again

MelissaDallas AMEN. I am sick of being seen as sick!

TB90 I am HORRIFIED that she did that! What is wrong with people?

We have a big fourth of July parade in my town and there is a pink "breast cancer tractor" (live in a small town, rural area) and people are asking me if I am going to RIDE on the pink tractor this year! I never saw anyone do that but apparently its a thing. I am sure no one else wanted to parade their breast cancer in the middle of freaking July.

I do think it is very sweet that the man painted his tractor pink for BC. I don't think it does anything but he meant well for sure.

Ugh, flashbacks to attending a Christmas party at my son's church in 2018. I had JUST finished radiation, finally, after lumpectomy, re-excision, and nephrectomy, and was feeling tickled [ANY COLOR BUT PINK] to have all the active treatment behind me. Some woman came up to me and gushed right in my face "How ARE you? I've been PRAYING for you!" Man, I had to remind myself it was a church thing so I wouldn't say WTF and jump back. Even now, a year and a half out, I try to hide from her, because if she catches my eye, I get THE LOOK OF PITY FOR THE CANCER LADY.

I don't want anything to do with breast cancer products or events. Or kidney cancer, or endometrial, etc., etc. Why the hell would I want souvenirs? I've got my scars and missing body parts, I've done my bit, thank you very much.

I AM NOT MY CANCERS.

eta:.Hmm, I think this topic hit a nerve. Sorry about the rant.

I second what so many women here have so perfectly said. Practically nobody even knows about my diagnosis. I am me. Like me, don't like me... on the quality of my character, not my medical diagnoses. I support cancer stuff with my checkbook. It is not some fun, rah-rah, isn't this fun, look at me, girl power, thing I was drafted into. To each his own! But not for me!