Does anyone else feel spooked by all the pink breast cancer appliances sold? I have a dear friend who was recently diagnosed with this horrible disease (and make no mistake, all cancer is horrible -- I've seen a lot of people die and/or suffer from various incarnations) and I can't help but appreciate the efforts to help, but still. I think of pink as a little girl's color. And it didn't help that one of the secrets on Post Secret this week was about being thankful for breast cancer because kitchen appliances look so much cuter in pink. Umm, okay. Good to know. I'll walk for the cure and I'll donate, I don't mind the pink ribbons, but to hell with pink blenders. Pink blenders are creepy. The person who wrote that secret is even creepier than me and not in a good way.
Everyone I know who has had cancer has been told the same thing as a reassurance: Cancer doesn't hurt. Because usually the spot where the tumor is growing does hurt so the doctor and everyone else says, It's probably not cancer because it hurts. If it doesn't hurt, that's what you have to watch for. Not the case in all the cases I know. The metaphors are strange as well -- you're going to battle cancer, you're a cancer warrior. But cancer isn't an outside invasion. Your own cells are dividing against themselves. At war with the bad parts of yourself? Now that is something I understand.
Michelle's Spell of the Day
"One skilled at battle summons others and is not summoned by them." Sun Tzu
Cocktail Hour
Drinking video this weekend! Watch for the absinthe!
Benedictions and Maledictions
Happy Tuesday!
10 comments:
Kind of creepy that appliance companies are profiting off of cancer (or at least cancer awareness).
And who knew that that horrible Tony Orlando and Dawn song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree" back in the 70s would have such a pervasive impact on American culture? And wasn't the guy in the song just out from a 3 year term in prison?
Weirder and weirder...
Well, your posts always travel unusual directions, I'll say that.
But, then, what about me? Or the other one in ten thousand guys who get a painful lump in our chest? Rirgt behind the nipple?
I was lucky, actually (if one calls it luck to be cut open) and had the VA to do the deal for me.
The lump was just a lump, and I didn't pay attention to it for quite a while.
The, one day, it seemed to grow some. And it started getting uncomfortable.
My Ma, having been a double cut from the mid-fifties (that's what they did back then) found out that I was having discomfort about a lump and she jumped on me with both feet!
(not really actually 'jumping' on me, mid you. I'm pretty good sized fella...but, anyway)
I went, they cut it out, it went one direction, I got dismissed from the hospital, and that was all I heard for about six months.
Then, one day, I got a letter from the VA that said it was benign.
(I always want to yell "BINGO!" when i hear 'benign')
So, first and foremost, gals, get checked and often, check yourselves, there are also untold thousands of guys who will volunteer to check you..(probably don't listen to them) and at the first sign of any lump, button, pea, ANYTHING go see a professional.
Can't afford it?
GO ANYWAY! There are places that will help!
GUYS! We get it, too! Don't be a dead moron! If you find something growing inside you, see a doctor!
Last, but not even least....and I've brought this up many times.
For my life, from the mid-fifties till the day she died (and by the way, she DID finally beat cancer in 1986-7, total remission!) I always thought of my Ma as one of the world's most beautiful women!
The loss of a breast is not lethal.
And any truly loving man would gladly look past that as being totally peripheral.
(uh-oh. is that a soap box under my feet? oops. sorry... I'll just move along, now....)
oh yeah, I forgot.
I was wondering if I get a BLUE ribbon?
Michelle,
A while back I was at a store buying something and the gal at the check out asked me if I wanted to donate a dollar for breast cancer , and I said, 'Sure, I'm all about saving the titties.' Seriously though, I've known a few folks with cancer, and I do what I can, in my own small way. I'm with you on the pink blenders, though.
I do think the whole ribbon thing is way out of hand...you'll see a car and there's about 12 different colored ribbon-shaped magnets on it...I also hate those stickers with kids' names and their sport or whatever, but that's another deal all together.
I tell ya...smart, attractive, and you quote The Art of War? That's just not fair. :)
Pink makes me think of something different entirely. I digress.
Aw Shella, Pink is not so bad! It's (hot pink) always been one of my favorite colors. An acquaintance just had a double masectomy at 39 years old. Sad, but she is hopeful.
I have always found that strange my own damn self. When my Mother died of cancer just over 3 years ago people described it as, "She lost her battle with cancer". Well hell, she wasn't a loser. Did you really expect her to "win"? She did all she could and died, that was it.
Wil Harrison.com
I think the pink blenders and such are a way of saying "I'm going to own cancer." I don't want to have anything to do with it. My sister died of cancer a couple of years back. Her husband now has it. It scares the strength right out of me.
I don't even remember where I got the pink vest ribbon I wear but I will always remember the young cashier who thanked me for having it. She said she was going to make an appointment for the squish test. That was enough for me to leave it in place.
I'm with Wil...my mom fought that shit and didn't lose, she just died.
"But cancer isn't an outside invasion. Your own cells are dividing against themselves. At war with the bad parts of yourself? Now that is something I understand."
I like this.
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