Fighting Cancer - What Does That Mean?

Being autistic has its advantages. I love statistics, facts and researching the hell out of things. I understood my diagnosis really well. I researched each segment of what each area of my diagnosis means (like what Ki67 means for example). Statistics and facts make sense to me.

Where being autistic isn't helpful is with communication. I went on a mission to find out what people mean when they say I'm "fighting cancer". To me, I turned up at the appointments I was told to go to, had surgery, and rested. How is that fighting cancer? If I had broken my leg wouldn't I have done the same thing? And I wouldn't be fighting a broken leg!

During treatment I thought about the word fight and came up with some ideas...

• My body is fighting to get better from my surgery.

• I'm fighting my mental health to stay positive, to not get mad and frustrated that I have to rest.

• I'm fighting my emotions about my body.

• I'm fighting my self confidence when I see myself in the mirror.

• I'm fighting my anger in my brain when it is buzzing with 'stuff'.

• I'm fighting the guilt that I feel for what I'm putting my family through.

• I'm fighting my need to know everything this year will bring when I have to wait for test results and appointment dates.

• I'm fighting back my tears when I feel lonely in the middle of the night when I lie awake.

  
  

Is this what fighting cancer is?

Is this what fighting cancer means?

I wasn't sure, but I knew if I gave in to all of those things I wouldn't be in a good place. So I kept doing those things because I had everyone behind me, being positive with me and holding my hand.

JuJu