Definition of Survivor

The meaning of the word Survivor

by Carol Misrack
During the month of September and October we all heard about Breast Cancer Survivors.  Last week I was talking to a friend when she told me that she was going to put on her warm PJ’s and get a tall glass of wine.  I then asked what was the factor that brought her to this self-indulgence?  Her response was that she had survived a horrendous day at her office. Her answer left me with many quizzical thoughts.  Later, when the evening calmed down, I went to visit Mr. Webster’s book to look for meaning of the word survivor.  Mr. Webster tells me that it is the art of surviving, “Living beyond the life of another person or event.” ….

Later, I started to give this topic a little more in depth thought.  Anyone who lived through one day, and, after sleep, awakens to a new day can be termed “survivor”.  In reality this statement is true, but somehow the word survivor, when referring to a Breast Cancer patient is just not sufficient.  Hero is more along the lines. However even the word Hero does not justify all the struggles and changes every Cancer survivor faces every day.
I feel Mr. Webster sort of jilted us when he lumped all people dealing with the issues of living everyday to the fullest, despite being given chemicals and radiation need some sort of saintly connotation. I envision the reception line into heaven as God, the Blessed Mother, St Peter and a delegation of Cancer survivors all standing in a row to welcome you into the Gates of Heaven.
Somehow we need to get the word out that surviving a plane crash and surviving Cancer and its adjuvant treatment are very different events.  To survive Cancer we must force our tired minds to always keep focused on hope and healing. We also have to be open to new ideas, clinical trials and medications even the Kennedy clan might balk at the cost. All the while hoping above all hope that this gamble will, actually eradicate this demon we carry inside our bodies.  We must face the new realities of the after effects of the disease and the treatment.  I think we should ride in the open convertible doing the “queen for a day” wave every year as the Rose Festival parade is underway.  I’m quite sure if I brainstormed with other breast cancer survivors we could come up with the most unique adjectives as well as a ticker tape parade accompanied by the mayor of our city to welcome us to healthy living.
Until we get to this ticker tape phase of recovery, Mr. Webster, please sit down at your big book, the dictionary, and come up with another (and certainly more befitting) word to describe the troops of men and women that live their everyday lives to the fullest despite dealing with the treatment, surgery, side effects, and everyday adjustments each of us make to accommodate our lives as a “Cancer Survivor”