Great news! Using the verbs instead of the nouns goes to show that it was an experience that you went through and have now conquered. Your new noun is Survivor in which you have been blessed. So happy to hear that you are now cancer free.
What I recognize… or perhaps can acknowledge in a different way… is that adopting the role of “sick person/victim” does hold an allure of sorts. There is undoubtedly a feeling of belonging to a “special” group.
Another #cancergift is my expansion of understanding/empathy/compassion for those who might get stuck there.
Gail- As an active cancer support group facilitator I can assure you that many get stuck there... compassion and empathy for their “stuckness” often allows the space necessary to also “free” themselves... 😊🙏🏼😊
Such great news, Gail!! I'm sure it's normal to have mixed feelings about leaving a place where you put great effort into creating relationships. Time will give you perspective and show you all the many lessons you learned from this time in your life. For now, revel in your cancer-free status!!
What I didn’t say is that I’ll still be hanging out with my caregiving friends through next February. I’ll receive immunotherapy infusions every six weeks and have radiation coming up. I am ready to experience!
Love the words. [I wrote some stuff, deleted some stuff, googled some stuff.]
I found this
"The word “patient” conjures up a vision of quiet suffering, of someone lying patiently in a bed waiting for the doctor to come by and give of his or her skill, and of an unequal relationship between the user of healthcare services and the provider. The user is described simply as suffering, while the healthcare professional has a title, be it nurse or doctor, physiotherapist or phlebotomist.
Patient comes from the Latin “patiens,” from “patior,” to suffer or bear. The patient, in this language, is truly passive—bearing whatever suffering is necessary and tolerating patiently the interventions of the outside expert. "
Even the "going through chemo" is both true, and if I may speak out my backside, insufficient. It's the same words one might use on a call before losing cell service. The word -ing creates action. Whether the person doing the action engages is a different story though at least there's an active voice involved.
Your comment brings to mind an early conversation I had with an MRI technician. She complimented my stillness while inside the machine — apparently the magnets are quite sensitive to movement. I told her I was trying to be the best patient I could be.
She responded, “Your caregivers will notice and that will serve you well.”
Thank you for sharing what you did about the word patient. Fascinating!
Oh Gail, this is so wonderful! You are undeniably a survivor and yet at the same time I see what you mean about wishing for a language that somehow captures the wholeness of the experience--being in this arena, "belonging to the place." I'm celebrating with you and feeling so grateful for a medical system that can so successfully eradicate c. Be well, my friend.
Thrilled to hear this news, Gail. Thank you for sharing your complicated and nuanced response to your shifting identity. I love the way you share your thoughts in progress 👏❤️
You’ve given me (us) something very profound to ponder.
- The power in the words we choose.
- The power in staying with something.
- The power in sharing and allowing others help carry our challenges.
I had a first time meeting with a nurse who took out my port needle on Thursday. I asked her if there’s anything she feels a newly diagnosed patient might benefit from hearing. She said something like, “I’d like the ‘strong’ ones to know that it’s okay — beneficial even — to accept help.”
Great news! Using the verbs instead of the nouns goes to show that it was an experience that you went through and have now conquered. Your new noun is Survivor in which you have been blessed. So happy to hear that you are now cancer free.
Thank you Pennie! Yes! I am blessed, grateful, and excited to serve going forward. 💜
Waaaa!! That’s wonderful!! Such good news. I’m so happy!
Hurray for doctors and nurses and medicine!
Your thinking about cancer-ing is so interesting.. ❤️
Thanks Marijke! Yes! Hurray for doctors and nurses and medicine. 🎉
#cancergit I have been nudged into new ways of seeing/being — shifting my beliefs about healthcare.
Just brilliant news Gail - good to acknowledge the shifting feelings you experience as you prepare for new directions. 💚
What I recognize… or perhaps can acknowledge in a different way… is that adopting the role of “sick person/victim” does hold an allure of sorts. There is undoubtedly a feeling of belonging to a “special” group.
Another #cancergift is my expansion of understanding/empathy/compassion for those who might get stuck there.
Gail- As an active cancer support group facilitator I can assure you that many get stuck there... compassion and empathy for their “stuckness” often allows the space necessary to also “free” themselves... 😊🙏🏼😊
There but for the grace of God…
😊🙏🏻😊
Such great news, Gail!! I'm sure it's normal to have mixed feelings about leaving a place where you put great effort into creating relationships. Time will give you perspective and show you all the many lessons you learned from this time in your life. For now, revel in your cancer-free status!!
Yippee!!! 🎉
What I didn’t say is that I’ll still be hanging out with my caregiving friends through next February. I’ll receive immunotherapy infusions every six weeks and have radiation coming up. I am ready to experience!
Love the words. [I wrote some stuff, deleted some stuff, googled some stuff.]
I found this
"The word “patient” conjures up a vision of quiet suffering, of someone lying patiently in a bed waiting for the doctor to come by and give of his or her skill, and of an unequal relationship between the user of healthcare services and the provider. The user is described simply as suffering, while the healthcare professional has a title, be it nurse or doctor, physiotherapist or phlebotomist.
Patient comes from the Latin “patiens,” from “patior,” to suffer or bear. The patient, in this language, is truly passive—bearing whatever suffering is necessary and tolerating patiently the interventions of the outside expert. "
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1116090/
Even the "going through chemo" is both true, and if I may speak out my backside, insufficient. It's the same words one might use on a call before losing cell service. The word -ing creates action. Whether the person doing the action engages is a different story though at least there's an active voice involved.
Your comment brings to mind an early conversation I had with an MRI technician. She complimented my stillness while inside the machine — apparently the magnets are quite sensitive to movement. I told her I was trying to be the best patient I could be.
She responded, “Your caregivers will notice and that will serve you well.”
Thank you for sharing what you did about the word patient. Fascinating!
Oh Gail, this is so wonderful! You are undeniably a survivor and yet at the same time I see what you mean about wishing for a language that somehow captures the wholeness of the experience--being in this arena, "belonging to the place." I'm celebrating with you and feeling so grateful for a medical system that can so successfully eradicate c. Be well, my friend.
Thank you Mary Ellen! And thank you for connecting me early in with another survivor who walked the path before me. ♥️
Beyond grateful for the doctors, nurses, technicians, researchers, and support staff who continue to serve and make advances.
Thrilled to hear this news, Gail. Thank you for sharing your complicated and nuanced response to your shifting identity. I love the way you share your thoughts in progress 👏❤️
Thank you Matthew. It is my great privilege to have readers who will walk along with my learning!
So wonderful to see you in 3mm comments!
Garden sign: “FROG PARKING ONLY! All others will be toad!” 😁
(I had a more happy declarative quip waiting, but it didn't seem adequate. A dumb pun, OTOH, is ALWAYS in fashion!)
Delightful news, Gail! 💚 Yes, try living the verbs and discarding the nouns — it's a Gail thing, make it your own and head boldly forth!
Haha! I just saved a toad from the window well this week. Cute little guy/girl!
💚💜♥️
Jack- “Toad” really? Did you create that sign? 🐸
😂🤣😂
Catalogs are my sources, Bobby. Always good for a cheap laugh. 😁
I count on you for smiles! 🙏🏼🕊🙏🏼
The very best news, Gail!!
💜♥️💚 Thank you Julie! Your friendship and support makes me stronger — and has helped me through.
I thought I remembered that there was more ahead for you. Start planning your celebration for February!!
I can’t wait to have a conversation with typist about “typing” and this whole ing-ing thing... 😂🤣😂
Verb-ing?
Also, when we put the word “be” in front of another word it enhances it!
Example: Hold and Behold
The “be” enhances the holding
Difficult situations require sustained beholding. Witnessing means to stay with something… Staying with the trouble or challenge.
Remember and Remembering
Making space for the miraculous requires a “sustained beholding.”
We, not a term to be taken for granted, have witnessed a REAL miracle!
That doesn’t mean just watching… “We” with the help of Typist and The Girls, helped make space for the miraculous!
People from around the world gave energy to the belief that divine healing was not only available, but possible!
And so it is… 🙏🏼🕊🙏🏼
You’ve given me (us) something very profound to ponder.
- The power in the words we choose.
- The power in staying with something.
- The power in sharing and allowing others help carry our challenges.
I had a first time meeting with a nurse who took out my port needle on Thursday. I asked her if there’s anything she feels a newly diagnosed patient might benefit from hearing. She said something like, “I’d like the ‘strong’ ones to know that it’s okay — beneficial even — to accept help.”
Yep! Be-ing, Breathe-ing, Build-ing... cancer-ing!
Define-ing, Decide-ing, Declare-ing...
Witness-ing, Listen-ing, Support-ing... 😊