Yes. You read that right. I am like Harry Potter.
Bear with me, it's gonna take a little time for me to get to my point, but I personally think it's worth it :)
So this past week, I've been opening up to people in my office and in my life about the fact that I have cancer. Due to holidays and doctor appointments, I've been in the office for 3 days this week. I've spent at least 2 of those days having "the conversation".
I've gotten many reactions from "I'm sorry to hear that, how often are you going to be out of the office?" (which is actually the easiest converation I had) to lots of tears and even one person who questioned me for about a half an hour on every single detail of everything.
It's been emotionally draining and exhausting. I think I should've been allowed a nap after every single conversation.
But back to the point, there is ONE main thing that I've noticed in all of these converations. People hate to say the word cancer.
It's almost like they feel that if they say it, it makes it worse.
Like maybe the cancer (cue scary music) will find them and kill them and their entire family.
Kind of like Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series :) Yes, I'm a Harry Potter geek and I'm OK with that. In the books, almost everyone refers to Voldemort as "He-who-must-not-be-named".
I kinda feel like people treat the word cancer the same way.
I've had it referred to as my "illness" and my "situation" and loads of other euphemisms that all refer to cancer without actually naming it.
I am Harry Potter. I am unafraid to name my foe. I will refer to it as cancer and not be scared of it!
But there are days when I feel like maybe I should name it something for those that are uncomfortable with the word. Maybe it'll make them feel better?
Would it be odd if I named my cancer? Like maybe Fred. Or Bobo. Or shall we simply call it "the-illness-that-must-not-be-named"?
I personally still intend to call it cancer. But if it makes you feel better, you can call it something else. Just clue me in to the name so I know you're talking about cancer and not some long lost classmate or family member.
Or just submit suggestions in the comments and I'll choose my favorite!
Let the naming of my little disease begin!
Bear with me, it's gonna take a little time for me to get to my point, but I personally think it's worth it :)
So this past week, I've been opening up to people in my office and in my life about the fact that I have cancer. Due to holidays and doctor appointments, I've been in the office for 3 days this week. I've spent at least 2 of those days having "the conversation".
I've gotten many reactions from "I'm sorry to hear that, how often are you going to be out of the office?" (which is actually the easiest converation I had) to lots of tears and even one person who questioned me for about a half an hour on every single detail of everything.
It's been emotionally draining and exhausting. I think I should've been allowed a nap after every single conversation.
But back to the point, there is ONE main thing that I've noticed in all of these converations. People hate to say the word cancer.
It's almost like they feel that if they say it, it makes it worse.
Like maybe the cancer (cue scary music) will find them and kill them and their entire family.
Kind of like Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series :) Yes, I'm a Harry Potter geek and I'm OK with that. In the books, almost everyone refers to Voldemort as "He-who-must-not-be-named".
I kinda feel like people treat the word cancer the same way.
I've had it referred to as my "illness" and my "situation" and loads of other euphemisms that all refer to cancer without actually naming it.
I am Harry Potter. I am unafraid to name my foe. I will refer to it as cancer and not be scared of it!
But there are days when I feel like maybe I should name it something for those that are uncomfortable with the word. Maybe it'll make them feel better?
Would it be odd if I named my cancer? Like maybe Fred. Or Bobo. Or shall we simply call it "the-illness-that-must-not-be-named"?
I personally still intend to call it cancer. But if it makes you feel better, you can call it something else. Just clue me in to the name so I know you're talking about cancer and not some long lost classmate or family member.
Or just submit suggestions in the comments and I'll choose my favorite!
Let the naming of my little disease begin!
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