victim -vs- survivor

Glad you found your way into my world.  Thank you.  Yes, a password on a site?  Why?  Well, there are too many people in the world that just want to create chaos, cruel and just want attention.  If you are reading this, it means you are a very special person selected by me and you captured my heart somehow....  Please view my short video and then click on the "Read More" button below to learn more about "victim -vs- survivor".

I entitled this blog with victim -vs- survivor.  Recently I joined the LiveStrong program at the YMCA.  It is a program designed to promote wellness via physical activity for people fighting cancer.  The group meets twice a week and we share experiences.  The volunteers also teach us the proper ways to enjoy working out to relieve stress.  On the first day of participating, they gave us the opportunity to introduce ourselves.  Everyone was saying they were "cancer survivors".  On the other hand, I said I was a victim.  I ask myself, "what is the difference between a survivor and a victim".  At that time I was feeling very depressed and sick from the side effects of chemo, neuropathy and migraines.  3 illnesses that just makes you want to dig yourself into a hole.  I could not focus.  At the meeting, I was not my usual positive self.  After the meeting a young man approached me and said, "can I give you a hug?"  He did and it was wonderful.  He said, you are not a victim, you are a survivor.  Cancer is the victim because you are going to kick its ass!!!  I went home and for an entire week, I felt the hug and love this young man shared with me.  He is incredible.  His name is Erik.  The group now calls me "Magnificent Missrider".  Cute, hey?

A survivor as defined by others is a person that is still living and survived the wrath of the decease.

A victim is one that has been destroyed by cancer and no longer living as a result.

Needless to say, I think we are both.  Survivors because we are still sharing the Universe with others.  Victims because the decease selected us as a target and we don't know if it will come back.  How do we know if cancer is not coming back?  The medical system tries very hard to identify and diagnose cancer.  At the same time, they really don't know much about it.  I did not feel sick.  I was a very healthy strong woman.  Then the machines said that I had cancer.  Perhaps the machine was wrong!!  Does science truly understand cancer?  Is the technology powerful to really diagnose it?  Or, is it all made up by the insurance companies so they can stay in business?  What do you think?  What do you think about victim -vs- survivor?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below.  Thank you.