After a cancer diagnosis, a person's identity may change. Often, one may choose to identify with familiar cancer terminology such as "patient," "survivor," or even "victim." These identities can form a lasting positive or negative impact on a person's life.
BY Bonnie Annis
PUBLISHED August 01, 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.
Once upon a time, I used to be a strong, independent, fun-loving person. Those who knew me often complimented me on my independence, self-assurance and determination. It had taken many years of life experience to mold and shape me into the person I’d become, and I was proud of my identity. But the day I was diagnosed with cancer, everything changed. All of a sudden, I didn’t recognize myself any longer.
Going through tests, scans and surgery, I found my identity shifting from that of strong, self-reliant individual to that of weary, frightened patient with cancer. I looked like a patient, I acted like a patient, so surely, I was one. I allowed medical staff to care for me in my time of need. It wasn’t difficult to learn the parameters of this new identity.
After leaving the hospital, although I still considered myself a “patient,” I also picked up another identity. This new label was more prestigious as I chose to see myself as a breast cancer “survivor.” Having endured two surgeries for breast cancer, medical personnel had bestowed the honor upon me. Proudly, I received that badge of honor and pinned it on my chest.
Going through tests, scans and surgery, I found my identity shifting from that of strong, self-reliant individual to that of weary, frightened patient with cancer. I looked like a patient, I acted like a patient, so surely, I was one. I allowed medical staff to care for me in my time of need. It wasn’t difficult to learn the parameters of this new identity.
After leaving the hospital, although I still considered myself a “patient,” I also picked up another identity. This new label was more prestigious as I chose to see myself as a breast cancer “survivor.” Having endured two surgeries for breast cancer, medical personnel had bestowed the honor upon me. Proudly, I received that badge of honor and pinned it on my chest.
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