Cancer Survivor, Debra's Blog
Cancer by nature is a pretty private, individual disease. I think I heard somewhere that over 35 different diseases that affect the breast in the same way are all put under the same label of breast cancer. Course of treatment varies widely, and each woman's response to treatment varies just as widely. The after effects and aftermath are intensely personal and at times highly embarrassing to deal with.
So why am I choosing to post my private battle online? I had to think long and hard about that but I realized the benefits far outweighed the potential drawbacks for me:
1. I am blessed with the problem of having too many people to catch up with. And I lose track of what I have told to whom. This way, you can check in when you want and I don't have to bore you with the same stories I forgot I told you before.
2. It helps people figure out how to approach me. Yes, I have cancer, but I still laugh and try not to let it define me. It's not taboo to talk about or make jokes about (know what's funnier than cancer? Genocide! Favorite family joke right now)
3. There aren't many good sites out there to help people learn about the personal side of fighting this. Not that I am trying to educate the world, heck, I would hate to get sued for incorrect information. But as my mother-in-law said it best, no one knows what it's like unless they have done it or been right there with someone doing it.
If you ever have any questions you want to ask or are curious about some things, let me know! I am not shy on providing detail. I just don't want to bore or gross people out.
Also, several folks asked if they could share my URL with friends--please! The internet is a public space, and therefore I would never post anything I would be embarrassed by later.
