Dear Annie: My oncologists say I'm a survivor, I don't feel like one
NJ.com••health
Key Points:
- A breast cancer patient expresses feeling conflicted about being called a "survivor" due to ongoing medication, side effects, and the risk of recurrence, along with experiencing depression.
- She feels isolated as people focus solely on her cancer diagnosis and avoid discussions about her emotional struggles, leading her to hide her feelings to make others comfortable.
- The patient rejects medication and group therapy for depression, emphasizing that sadness after trauma is a natural human emotion rather than a condition to be fixed.
- The advice given encourages acknowledging all emotions openly, especially with healthcare providers, and defines a survivor as someone who perseveres through hardship, validating her experience.
- The response highlights the importance of honest communication and seeking support without shame, reinforcing that healing
