Since when does having cancer make you a hero?

Question

I am sick of cancer survivors being treated like heroes. I survived a brain tumor. I am no hero, I'm just an asshole who got cancer! Heroes do something extrordinary and help people. Thoughts?

Answer 1

Getting cancer doesn't make you a hero, some ppl think "oh, they went through so much pain and treatment and hair loss, they are so brave" Dude, it's either this or death... what would you choose? Others? They just feeling sorry for you man... especially if you went through chemotherapy...for the hair loss part...

Answer 2

I don't feel that cancer makes someone a hero. However if a cancer patient loses the battle with cancer they are not a loser. I have lost a sister to Hodgkin's disease,...she left behind a young son,.......In his eyes she is a hero because she fought for many years to be with him. I lost my step-mother in Dec of 2004 from breast cancer,.....she didn't survive a year but that doesn't make her a loser or a hero. I have a 15 year old neighbor which I help alot that had brain cancer along with many other things,.....she is in remission and is smaller than my 9 year old,...weighs about 58 pounds and may never grow any bigger,....is she a hero,....no,.....but I am sure in her mothers eyes she is. My theory is not only what a person does that makes them a hero. Sometimes cancer changes a person's life around for the good. Not that there is anything good about having cancer. But it can change a person's outlook on what life really is. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. I am a proud biker that loves helping ill and less fortunate children and their families,.....does that make me a hero? ,.....no of course not. I think I am just an ordinary person who finds it in my heart to help them. It makes me feel good to see them smile.

Answer 3

I had cancer, i don't consider my self an hero but, there are diffrent types of hero's you could be a hero if you help someone else get through a battle of cancer and support them all the way,or you help in the research to help others when they test new medication's and things. well, i guess I'm a hero cause when i had that type of cancer i was the 1st in Columbus Ohio in the 70's i had to test the medication for that type of cancer there where 7 known cases then and i am here to tell you about it the others was less fortunate, I am mentioned in a medical book with my photo, I had Rhabdomyosarcoma of the neck and shoulder at the age of 4 i was diagnosed which that type of cancer i had in my moms womb so i consider you a cancer hero if you won the battle that's what a cancer hero is

Answer 4

Having cancer does not make you a hero.
Surviving cancer does not make you a hero...
But...
There are people who have cancer, and whether they survive it or not, they become hero's.
They are those people who look their own mortality in the face, stand up, get brave and not only take care of themselves, but reach out and hold up other people. What I mean is that it sucks to have cancer, and some people with it, survive it by becoming very brave, and some of those share that learned bravery with others, help them through their own tough times, be it depression, cancer, or other darkness.
So no, cancer does not make a hero.
But if you have a hero's spirit inside you, sometimes cancer can make it come out...

Answer 5

I do not believe that everyone who has cancer is a hero at all. Never did think that, but rather the way people behave while undergoing their treatment makes them courageous and ultimately heroic.

I have met and seen many heroic young people who have cancer. Their attitude is amazing considering that each day they face their own mortality. There are many times that they could chose or wish for death and no one would blame them. But they do not. They fight their disease with hope. Most go about their daily living not dwelling on their disease, but just getting on with living normally. The people with cancer who cannot recapture their lives, who dwell on their cancer, who are bitter, or sad . . people feel sorry for them. But, people who grow beyond their cancer . . become bigger than the cancer can simply amaze the ordinary healthy person.

My son has said the same thing that you have . . that he is not a 'hero' . . he never chose to have cancer. He doesn't want it. He didn't want the recognition, nor did he want to have people fuss about it. To this day he cannot understand why people admire him . . but I know why . . because in the 18 months that he has undergone high dose chemo and surgeries he has never once asked, "Why me?" Instead, he always says, "Why not me? I'm not special, so why couldn't I get cancer. I'm just unlucky." But, he is so wrong. He is special, because there are not many options for his rare cancer. His cancer does not have a protocol. Not many kids with his disease survive beyond two years.
The reason I see him as special, unique, and courageous is because when his oncologist asked him if he would be willing to undergo an experimental surgery he did not even hesitate. There were no guarantees that it would work for his type of sarcoma. There were no guarantees that he would survive. His response to that challenge was to say, "Yes. If I survive then we will be creating data for other people who have this disease. And, if the surgery is not successful . . we will still be creating data for people with this disease." To me . . that is the mark of heroism . . to face the unknown with no fear and the unselfishness to help others.

I do not know how you are handling your cancer. I do know that some people handle the experience better than others . . .

I wish you peace.

Answer 6

I don't think any person who fights cancer is a hero. The ones who give in early when death is a guarantee to save hurt and pain to others are brave, At least they don't guilt me into giving money I don't have towards research. Cancer will not be cured in any of our lifetimes. Stop shoving every cause or PC **** down my throat. Live and let die! Natural Selection rules!

Answer 7

I don't see people who survive cancer as heroes rather I see them as blessed and I have a heart for them because at some time cancer will touch everyones life. My sister survived throat cancer, was in a trial at at Yale and is alive today 12 yrs later and I went through it beside her. Moved in with my family and took her everywhere and it was tremendous what she went through. So, they are heroes to those that see what they endure. you are a heroe to me because you fought and won. So, don't be so quick to dismiss what you have been through. It is war and if you survive you are a hero of sorts. Making a way for others is what she has done and right now my sister-in-law is going through treatment for pancreatic at yale, trials also, so the heroes are too many to count. I hope you feel better about yourself soon and don't call yourself names. May God keep you.

Answer 8

It doesn't really make you a hero, but it's a miracle for someone to survive cancer. It takes a lot to get through a tough time like that. I wish my cousin had survived it. He left two elementary-aged kids and a wife behind:(

Answer 9

maybe if you think of how you survived a brain tumor while so many others have died.....it will change your pessimistic attitude. every time someone like you survives. that means they have gathered much needed information to help others survive. the things that make you different from others...techniques that work vs those that do not. that is what makes someone who lives....a hero.
i wish my father could have been one. but hey...you surviving may make you someone elses hero...and you will never know it

Answer 10

But don't you see the point that seeing someone who has survived it, could give someone else courage. And when those people who have survived it, do something to help others. That does make them a hero.