When I describe myself as a ‘Cancer Survivor,’ it gives a lot of importance to the first word being ‘cancer’. Instead, I prefer to call myself a ‘Survivor of Cancer’ because the emphasis is on ‘Survivor.’
Cancer doesn’t define me. But the word Survivor does. Is it enough to just ‘survive’? NO! It’s important to thrive. Survivors endure lifelong quality-of-life compromises, yet surviving well is showing everyone who knows you and loves you that despite the challenges due to treatment, life is worth living and loving! Call me a ‘Surthriver.’
I strive to leave a legacy of choosing courage, choosing gratitude, choosing moments to cherish with those I love. These virtues that I choose to embody have a rippling effect, inspiring all those who love me and though them, countless lives.
Are you a survivor? What enables you to thrive?
If it wasn’t for you I may not have persevered going from doctor to doctor to determine what was the spot on my tongue that hurt so much. Six doctors said it was basically nothing or licen planus. It wasn’t until a wonderful oral surgeon biopsied it and found scc which led me to a partial glossectomy with no further findings of cancer. Only to have a second spot on the other side of my tongue three years later and same outcome. I had read Eva’s story back in 2017 and I could relate to it and gave me the determination to not give up without getting a proper diagnosis. You have always been there for me when I reached out to you. For that I’m eternally grateful.