
I looked up the work “Survivor” in the dictionary, and here is what it said:
• a person who survives, especially a person remaining alive after an event in which others have died. Example: ”the sole survivor of the massacre"
• the remainder of a group of people or things. Example: ”a survivor from last year's team"
• a person who copes well with difficulties in their life. Example: ”she is a born survivor"
And this is what people have been saying to me when I’ve told them that I’m done with treatment:
“You’re cancer free!”And that makes sense, given the definition listed above. But Survivorship means something different in the cancer world. According to the National Cancer Institute, here is the definition:
“You’re done!”
“You’re better now!”
“In cancer, survivorship focuses on the health and life of a person with cancer post treatment until the end of life. It covers the physical, psychosocial, and economic issues of cancer, beyond the diagnosis and treatment phases. Survivorship includes issues related to the ability to get health care and follow-up treatment, late effects of treatment, second cancers, and quality of life. Family members, friends, and caregivers are also considered part of the survivorship experience.”So when someone asks me if I’m planning a party to celebrate "the end of cancer" I almost don’t know what to do.
Because I’m not done. I will never be done with cancer. For the next 5 years I will be going through an inordinate amount of tests to make sure the cancer doesn’t come back. (I wrote at length here about the prognosis for my kind of cancer recurring.) And thereafter will always been someone who almost lost her life, and that changes you. Will I be fine? Yes. Am I better? I don't know. I'm pretty sure that if given the option I would have never wanted to get cancer, no matter how much of a silver lining I fight to see.
But I do feel an immense sense of accomplishment. As of Saturday, March 19, I am completely done with active breast cancer treatment. I stare at myself in the mirror and marvel at how resilient my body has been through this whole process: 2 biopsies, 2 surgeries, 16 rounds of the most intense chemo they could throw at me, and 33 rounds of radiation. I have had more scans and needles sticks than I care to count, and my body has withstood these invasions with aplomb. I didn't know I was so strong, and I am in awe of my body and truly honor it in a way I didn't know possible.
The one thing that did not survive, so to speak, was my long blonde hair which I had worked ravenously to save. For the past 5 months I’ve been in a pretty deep depression about the loss of my hair, covering my naked head with hats and a wig. When I lost my hair I lost my sense of self. I no longer knew who I was - and hated who I saw in the mirror. I was at war with myself daily, and here was no end in sight.
But this week, to commemorate the end of treatment, I bucked up my courage and took my scrawny, newly grown locks to the hair salon, where I spent several hours creating a whole new look with my stylist. I have never in my life had short hair, and it was time to face the fact that I can't ignore it anymore. Hiding will not make the problem go away. It's time to embrace it, and find out who I am now.
And it’s as if I’ve been reborn - perhaps not the way I had envisioned, but no phoenix rises from the ashes in the same form they were before the fire. And within one day, I have fallen in love with myself once again.
I'm back.
So, without further ado... The New Normal:
Twiggy...eat your heart out! |
And yes, if you look closely enough you’ll see that I gave myself a bit of naughty color - a big stripe of purple to bring life back to my being:
I'm a little bit rock and roll... |
Well, as the definition says above, my focus for the next 5 years is survivorship. I have to take care of this body, but I also now know how precious life is so I will do everything I can to squeeze every last of goodness out of it. I will continue to create with my amazing theater company, I will continue to love and support my friends, and I will try to leave the planet and humanity a little bit better each day. I’m commit to expressing all of myself and not holding back, letting go of the small anxieties, and learning everything I can about the world we live in. No sticking my head in the sand. No running away when things get tough. LIVING.
I look forward to keeping you on this journey with me. Please leave a comment so I know you were here!
Erin :)
PS: I have a bunch of “retrospective” posts that I will be sharing about some of my inner thoughts as I’ve gone through treatment. I’m going through my personal diaries to pull some of the better excerpts, and will share them soon.
Erin Cronican is a breast cancer survivor, whose career as a professional actor and career coach has spanned the last 25 years in New York City, Los Angeles and San Diego. She has appeared in major feature films and on television, and has toured nationally with plays and musicals. She has worked in the advertising & marketing departments of major corporations, film production companies, theater magazines, and non-profit acting organizations. For more information, please visit www.erincronican.com.
Blessings on your journey and sending you so much love as you begin what will be a long sojourn as a survivor...one filled with joys and many more adventures!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your hair - you look FANTASTIC! And the purple gives me all the feels!
Warmest thoughts and wishes with you!
Thank you, Paula! The purple is rocking my world right now...
DeleteAre you sure you are a Scorpio? :) So transparent and out in the public with such vulnerable things. What a gift. Thank you for bringing it and being it.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I adore and miss you, Jim...
DeleteThat's one bold and sassy Survivor I'm looking at. This has been a rollercoaster journey and I've only been on it vicariously. You are a hero to me.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about you...
DeleteSuch a beautiful sharing of how it has been and will continue to be. you are in my daily Kundalini yoga meditation practice with prayers for love, health and abundance. keep thriving strong. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice of you - thank you!
DeleteLove you Erin! I have no words to tell how meaningful it is for you to have shared your story;I've learned so much! So elated for you to be able to move forward and have more to tell.
ReplyDeleteLove you too, Elle!
DeleteYou were strong, your body was resilient, and you're brave.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI was here, I am here and I will continue to be here.
ReplyDeleteCarla B.
You have no idea how much this means to me...
DeleteI'm beyond happy for you!! That hair rocks!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteYou are better: you never knew how strong you are.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and all the best to you!
Thank you!
DeleteErin, I love your post treatment hair-do! Your writing is inspiring and needs to be shared and posted and reposted. You are a winner as you earn and live your survivorship.
ReplyDeleteThat is so nice of you to say - thank you for your support, dear Jaye!
DeleteErin, thank you for your beautiful, insightful, inspiring words. Your words are inspiring to anyone who is struggling with any challenge. And I LOVE your hairstyle! You look gorgeous Especially love the purple!
ReplyDeleteThank you, lovely lady!
DeleteErin, I'm so glad your treatment is over! I know this doesn't mean things are back to the way they were before, but making it through the brutal process of treatment was a huge accomplishment and the strength you showed is very inspirational! And I'm digging the new look!
ReplyDeleteThank you, H-BOMB! I think there may be some karaoke in our future...
DeleteYour blog just popped up on my fb newsfeed! I soooo needed this! THANK YOU! My Aunt lost her battle 3 weeks ago. I don’t want to come across as Debby Downer. I really needed to see you SURVIVING!!! Life is Good! Rock your hair! You look BEAUTIFUL! Thanks again *fist bump* ;) - Following you from Alabama!
ReplyDeleteI'm so, so sorry to hear about your aunt. Cancer is just plain awful. Thank you for the courage of reaching out when you're going through so much. My thoughts are with you and your family...
DeleteSo happy to know that you have reached this important step on the journey. Continue to be well1
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bert! It's so appreciated...
DeleteHey Erin! Love the new do. You look beautiful as always. Congrats on how far you've come, all you've been doing, & the great things to come.
ReplyDelete-Carmen
Thank you, friend!!
DeleteI have never met you, but I have felt such a kinship every time I read your tweets & other writings. You are an inspiration. And you look beautiful with your new hair! I'm rooting for you, praying for you, and blessed that you were here with us on this planet to tell us were not alone in our mess. And that it's OK to laugh .
ReplyDeleteThank you, Crystal! It's so wonderful to connect with you, and hope to get to know you better. And thanks for reading!
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ReplyDelete