Friend always says she is a cancer survivor and it bothers me

[Anonymous]

I had skin cancer removed and would NEVER refer to myself as a cancer survivor. It was Stage 0/1 and only required a few stitches and a topical cream. While skin cancer certainly is deadly and it would be technically accurate to refer to myself as a survivor, I also think it would be melodramatic to refer to myself as a cancer survivor given the connotations that the term has versus the very easy experience I had.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had skin cancer removed and would NEVER refer to myself as a cancer survivor. It was Stage 0/1 and only required a few stitches and a topical cream. While skin cancer certainly is deadly and it would be technically accurate to refer to myself as a survivor, I also think it would be melodramatic to refer to myself as a cancer survivor given the connotations that the term has versus the very easy experience I had.

Hopefully your cancer never comes back. Since you aren't a survivor or anything...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had skin cancer removed and would NEVER refer to myself as a cancer survivor. It was Stage 0/1 and only required a few stitches and a topical cream. While skin cancer certainly is deadly and it would be technically accurate to refer to myself as a survivor, I also think it would be melodramatic to refer to myself as a cancer survivor given the connotations that the term has versus the very easy experience I had.

Hopefully your cancer never comes back. Since you aren't a survivor or anything...

Try reading. I take all medical precautions to avoid its return and may have to go through more if it does. In the meantime, I don't elicit sympathy or congratulations from others, instead choosing to be grateful for my good fortune thus far without diminishing what others have gone through in any way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had skin cancer removed and would NEVER refer to myself as a cancer survivor. It was Stage 0/1 and only required a few stitches and a topical cream. While skin cancer certainly is deadly and it would be technically accurate to refer to myself as a survivor, I also think it would be melodramatic to refer to myself as a cancer survivor given the connotations that the term has versus the very easy experience I had.

Please. You had basal cell. The friend of OP had freaking melanoma!! Please read my previous posts. Melanoma is much different...more aggressive.

[Anonymous]

Melanoma is extremely deadly. No one who is diagnosed with it would be told they didn't need further treatment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Melanoma is extremely deadly. No one who is diagnosed with it would be told they didn't need further treatment.

Right! I know someone who had half his face practically removed. Tell me again how "he's totally fine" OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had skin cancer removed and would NEVER refer to myself as a cancer survivor. It was Stage 0/1 and only required a few stitches and a topical cream. While skin cancer certainly is deadly and it would be technically accurate to refer to myself as a survivor, I also think it would be melodramatic to refer to myself as a cancer survivor given the connotations that the term has versus the very easy experience I had.

Please. You had basal cell. The friend of OP had freaking melanoma!! Please read my previous posts. Melanoma is much different...more aggressive.

Please point out where I said basal cell. Also, please read up on the various degrees and treatment protocols: https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/stages-of-melanoma/stage-0-in-situ-melanoma/treatment-options-for-stage-0-melanoma/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had skin cancer removed and would NEVER refer to myself as a cancer survivor. It was Stage 0/1 and only required a few stitches and a topical cream. While skin cancer certainly is deadly and it would be technically accurate to refer to myself as a survivor, I also think it would be melodramatic to refer to myself as a cancer survivor given the connotations that the term has versus the very easy experience I had.

Please. You had basal cell. The friend of OP had freaking melanoma!! Please read my previous posts. Melanoma is much different...more aggressive.

Please point out where I said basal cell. Also, please read up on the various degrees and treatment protocols: https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/stages-of-melanoma/stage-0-in-situ-melanoma/treatment-options-for-stage-0-melanoma/

Ok great glad you caught it early. But please read the link about foot melanoma having a worse 5 year survival.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was a lady at our kid's school who talked about the wake up call she had, how she thought life was too short and how important it was to live every day to the fullest -- after the cancer diagnosis -- so she left her husband. I remember being a little surprised that the cancer which led to this monumental life-changing event was having a skin cancer removed at the dermatologist's. I know that I told the story to my DH and he had the same reaction. It sounded a bit like the revelation brought on by the cancer diagnosis was perhaps an excuse to do something she wanted to do anyway, leave her husband and buy a sportscar and start dating.

Melania is is no way the same thing as other skin cancers so I'm not sure why this story is relevant to OP's friend's situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a lady at our kid's school who talked about the wake up call she had, how she thought life was too short and how important it was to live every day to the fullest -- after the cancer diagnosis -- so she left her husband. I remember being a little surprised that the cancer which led to this monumental life-changing event was having a skin cancer removed at the dermatologist's. I know that I told the story to my DH and he had the same reaction. It sounded a bit like the revelation brought on by the cancer diagnosis was perhaps an excuse to do something she wanted to do anyway, leave her husband and buy a sportscar and start dating.

Melania is is no way the same thing as other skin cancers so I'm not sure why this story is relevant to OP's friend's situation.[/quote

^Melanoma not Melania

[Anonymous]

Sounds like an insecure couple of women with a low self esteem looking for attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While I see your point, melanoma is scary, and she's lucky. Cut her some slack.

+1 And it could recur and spread. It's something that she has to live with and it's understandable that it impacts how she lives her life. It doesn't take away anything from those who had a worse struggle - I'm sure she recognizes that her situation is different than your parents'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While I see your point, melanoma is scary, and she's lucky. Cut her some slack.

+1 And it could recur and spread. It's something that she has to live with and it's understandable that it impacts how she lives her life. It doesn't take away anything from those who had a worse struggle - I'm sure she recognizes that her situation is different than your parents'.

Also - I'm very sorry for your losses.

[Anonymous]

Actually she very well could die if melanoma and you'll be a huge ass. Melanoma kills and kills fast even when people think they got it all. Do I would want to be her or anyone with any kind of cancer frankly.

My brother had testicular cancer, very curable, and he has PTSD from the experience. I would never dare say he isn't a survivor. That's not a pissing contest.

[Anonymous]

It counts.

It isn't a contest.