I cannot take a break from cancer. It pops up even in my escape plans.
Several weeks ago I wrote a post about watching “60 Minutes” specifically to see Anderson Cooper interview someone much cooler than himself—Dave Grohl. Before the Grohl segment came on, I sat through a segment on embryo manipulation—removing the faulty BRCA mutation to end breast cancer. My little respite from cancer was invaded. Then a few days ago, I tuned into “The Daily Show” to see Grohl discuss his awesome History of American Music Cities again. And whaddya know, before his Royal Grohliness was interviewed, more breast cancer!
It’s not that I disliked the piece mocking the Komen-fracking-pink drill bits, indeed I loved it. I’m just fussing because every time I want to take a break from cancer and indulge in other interests, it pops up.
Grrrr.
I’ve discussed in older posts the concept of “getting over cancer”, how friends and family expect patients to just be “done”, they think that after treatment, things like recurrence, lingering side effects don’t matter. I’ve read many other bloggers discuss this topic. People ask, “aren’t you tired of talking about breast cancer?” Duh, yeah! But not talking about it does nothing to reduce risk for recurrence or a new cancer. Writing about it is the only thing helping me recover emotionally. Furthermore, look how unsuccessful I am when I do try to forget about it. Watching TV, escaping into music or whatever, cancer creeps in. I hardly ever get to the movies anymore, but the one I managed to take in, “Guardians of the Galaxy”, don’t ya know, opens with a scene of the hero as a child, his bald and weak mother in a hospital bed, dying right before the hero is whisked off into space to become this Guardian. I loved the film, but was very upset for those first few minutes.
Take a break from cancer? Yeah, I’d like to. Doubt it will ever happen tho’.
anotheronewiththecancer 
Yep. There’s no getting away from it. Great post!!
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Thanks! Poor Grohl–every time I try to watch him, some cancer thing interferes! Oh well, at least the HBO show is cancer-free, I can watch it without bother!
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Oh, yeah, I can relate. I’ve been trying to “take a break” from BRCA, HBOC, and cancer stuff as I’m going through PBM and reconstruction, just to try to maintain my sanity through it all. It’s impossible. I’ve got my BRCA goggles on and I can’t take them off: I see cancer everywhere, particularly breast cancer.
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I’m sure this stuff leaps out at us more than others–like my annoyance and obsession with stupid “prevent cancer with this magic food” headlines on the stupid papers in the grocery check out lane. Cancer stuff is everywhere in all the media noise and we pick up on it, while those w/out cancer just don’t see it. I too, will never take off the cancer goggles.
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Amen.
Marcy Westerling
http://livinglydying.com/
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Hz ha, thanks!
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If you ever figure out a way to get away from cancer, let me know!
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I know right?! Clearly, I need a new method. This one, distracting myself with music, is bombing out. Just found out one of the guys in Green Day has cancer. His prognosis is good. But what an example of how pervasive and insidious cancer is–mention of it infiltrates all aspects of life–even the our methods of escape.
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dear CC,
I can relate…I just got back from our widows’ group holiday dinner. I always look forward to being at a more relaxed and fun event when we can get away from our troubles, enjoy each other’s company in a lovely social way – I love, love my widow friends. so…as I was starting to feel really happy (a nice glass of red wine helped) and savoring a delicious dinner – up popped cancer! one widow’s best friend’s daughter, and another friend having lots of SEs from treatment with BC. hello people – at a widows’ night out! dammit! pervasive, insidious, infiltrating – out, OUT, damned cancer! but it ain’t never gonna happen. I think I need another glass of wine – care to join me, anyone?
much love,
Karen xxOOxx
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Love the red wine!!! Like I said in other comments and posts–I guess cancer leaps out at us and becomes the thing we notice most–just like how I cannot tolerate the “cancer prevention foods” headlines on rags at the check out at the grocery store. What is a footnote to others, like your friends, becomes our main event. Sigh. Sorry to hear a good night out had that hiccup for you! Love xoxox CC
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