Comments on: Deviance and Righteousness

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 02:01:39 +0000

My thoughts and feelings go out to each of you. The Pinktober sham is indeed difficult and aggravating. The survivor stories don’t do much for me either. To share: My sister died in 2010, at age 37, from breast cancer that metasticized. It was her second time around. She tried several doctors but none would remove the main tumor — it remained attached to a muscle wall in spite of radiation (and chemo). They all said they wouldn’t do surgery until it shrank and separated from the muscle (which it never did). She had finally landed her dream job and was in the middle of her Master’s degree program. The Humane Society did an article on her, naming her volunteer of the year because of her years of service. Her Master’s Thesis was going to be about starting a wildlife non-profit (to research if her idea was feasable). She had started setting up booths for it at various conventions. Then wham, the cancer hit again and slowly drained the life out of her, ending it all. By the end, the tumor turned her breast into a smelly black oozing mass (and there were other tumors breaking through the skin). She said she felt like a monster, deformed and unable to control her bodily functions. After she passed away our family was cleaning out her apartment – I found a pink ribbon “I survived breast cancer” bracelet. She must have got it after she made it through her first bout. That was a tough find to deal with. When October came I couldn’t look at the flood of Pink, too many emotions. It was almost like I couldn’t get away from “Pink-this” and “Pink-that”. …Anyway, I have an understanding of how you guys feel. …*Thank you* for the links to the reputable cancer orgs. My sis was a talented outdoor hobby photographer who loved to take pics of the National Parks, etc. I’ve been thinking about maybe doing something artsy and productive with her massive photo collection – in her memory. Nothing huge. Hopefully enough to donate a few bucks to her favorite charities once in a while, and to a *reputable* cancer research organization that doesn’t just ride the Pink train. So I’ll be bookmarking those links in case I try that idea. …And thanks for sharing and supporting.

By: Nancy's Point

Nancy's Point — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 01:11:27 +0000

Jen,
I’m really glad I read your guest post, Jen. And yes, I read the WHOLE thing! I’m sorry you lost your mom. Losing someone you care about to cancer is horrible. It doesn’t matter at what age or what kind of cancer they have, it’s terrible. I love the BBW idea. My mom was a librarian as well, so I related to that! And yes, the pink…Ann’s comment says it all.

Thanks for sharing your friend’s words, Lani.

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:15:55 +0000

Terrific post, Jenn – extremely thought-provoking and powerful. ‘Deviant and righteous’ – LOVE it. I am so, so sorry about your mother. (And I’m now off to google Banned Books Week – think I might have to draw inspiration from your remarkable mother and institute a similar tradition in our household!).

By: Jenn

Jenn — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 04:59:23 +0000

Ann,

Thank you for your kind words, indeed. Thanks for your blog; Lani is right that your voice is very needed and I’m glad that you use it.

It is a sorry mess, this cancer world. I’m not sure what else to say except I’m sorry that you and your family must go through this ordeal, to put it mildly.

I will also say that I’m grateful for the internet. When my mom was sick and dying it was such an isolating experience. We didn’t know any other families dealing with cancer. And now, through this one medium people can either connect with others when they need support, or use it as a tool for respite.

Thanks Ann and Lani for being a part of both.

By: Chemobabe

Chemobabe — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:57:57 +0000

ann, i am sorry too. i am so grateful you are here to bear witness and share the injustice of cancer with the world. i am so sorry that your time is being robbed from you, your family, and the rest of us who have come to know your wit, intelligence, and humor through your blog.

thanks for your kind words to jenn. i know they will mean a lot.