Tuesday, February 19, 2019

What's in a Word? Let's Talk About Cancer

In an effort to help others understand a breast cancer diagnosis, survivors may choose to use unique words. Sometimes, these words can be offensive.


PUBLISHED February 19, 2019

Bonnie Annis is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2014 with stage 2b invasive ductal carcinoma with metastasis to the lymph nodes. She is an avid photographer, freelance writer/blogger, wife, mother and grandmother.
When I was diagnosed with stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma, I felt my bottom jaw fall open. I had no idea what those words meant until the voice on the other end of the phone said, “Basically, you have breast cancer.” My response was a stunned and simple, “Oh.”

Those words, “You have breast cancer,” bopped around my brain like tiny metal pinballs for awhile, circling faster and faster before finally finding a place to settle. Once they did, and I had time to process them, it was my job to own the diagnosis. I had breast cancer. It was mine, all mine.




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