The "cancer card" is one of the only upsides to being diagnosed with cancer... but when does it go too far?
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 10, 2018
Justin Birckbichler is a fourth grade teacher, testicular cancer survivor and the founder of aBallsySenseofTumor.com. From being diagnosed in November 2016 at the age of 25, to finishing chemo in January 2017, to being cleared in remission in March, he has been passionate about sharing his story to spread awareness and promote open conversation about men's health. Connect with him on Instagram @aballsysenseoftumor, on Twitter @absotTC, on Facebook or via email justin@aballsysenseoftumor.com.
When I say that I am about to pull the “cancer card,” I'm not referring to the hard-plastic card I own, courtesy of the Stupid Cancer organization. Though I have mistaken the physical item for a real credit card on more than one occasion, the metaphorical cancer card is pretty much accepted everywhere, unlike my Discover IT card.
The cancer card is one of – if not the only – perks of having cancer. It's hard to properly define the cancer card, but it's essentially a “Get-Out-of-Jail-Free” card for cancer patients and survivors. No one is going to mess with a cancer patient.
I remember the first time I pulled the cancer card. It was around the time when my hair began falling out. I wanted to get something called a Headblade (essentially imagine that a Hot Wheels car had a baby with a Gillette razor, which sounds both terrifying and awesome all at the same time) to aid in shaving my head. The nearest one was at a CVS near my wife's workplace and she offered to pick it up on the way home from work one day. I called the store to see if they could put one on hold for me. They said that it was against store policy to do that, since it was the last one they had in stock.
The cancer card is one of – if not the only – perks of having cancer. It's hard to properly define the cancer card, but it's essentially a “Get-Out-of-Jail-Free” card for cancer patients and survivors. No one is going to mess with a cancer patient.
I remember the first time I pulled the cancer card. It was around the time when my hair began falling out. I wanted to get something called a Headblade (essentially imagine that a Hot Wheels car had a baby with a Gillette razor, which sounds both terrifying and awesome all at the same time) to aid in shaving my head. The nearest one was at a CVS near my wife's workplace and she offered to pick it up on the way home from work one day. I called the store to see if they could put one on hold for me. They said that it was against store policy to do that, since it was the last one they had in stock.
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