Entering survivorship

The new term for finishing major therapies for cancer and moving back into life is ‘survivorship’.  I am part of a research project conducted through Griffith uni and have just filled in the questionnaire they sent – one of the questions was something like: ‘Think about who you are. To what extent are you now defined by your cancer?’ I found myself marking very heavily the ‘Not at all’ box.  I also realised from my responses about joining support groups that I was ambivalent about being hit with negative stories as well as positive ones from fellow ‘survivors’ but that I was keen to talk to a psychologist about fear of recurrence.  I guess that’s where I am at. I saw the ongologist this week and after I listed all the side effects that I still struggle with she smiled benignly and said: ‘ that is about right for this stage of the process’. Time and patience and the belief in the cleverness of the body is all I need it would appear! I’m fine to go there. I amused her by saying that I was ordering new business cards (my name, mobile phone and email are all I am sure of but it feels good to make an investment in a future!)  and by checking how long before I could get a tattoo. It was the first time she had been asked that question. She agreed 6 months should do it and asked to see the results! Went back to line dancing on Friday morning, unsure if one leg would go after the other. I managed a dance or two then a rest for two! As the class clown I sang the chorus of the first number out very loudly: ‘You aint woman enough t0 take my man!’ then squealed with delight at the end of it to think I could actually dance with numb feet and spasmy legs! The Woodgate Bootscooters squealed with me and told me I had been sorely missed and must never go away again!