Elephants and Tea - March 2023 - 32

Shedding Stereotypes OVERSHARING IS CARING
BY CHELSEY GOMEZ
Just kidding. The real story is less of a
fairy tale and more of a comedic tragedy.
It is incredible to watch how cancer is
portrayed in the media. Unfortunately,
these Cinderella storylines inform most of
society's views on cancer patients. I promise
I am not trying to be the evil stepmother,
but I am here to tell you the truth. There's
no glass slipper and you most definitely
turn back into a pumpkin as soon as your
oncologist says, " see you in three months! "
I was first diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma
in 2018. At the time I was working
forty plus hours a week, I was a mom, and
the last thing I had time for was being sick. I
believe I actually uttered those words at one
point. Plot twist! Cancer made sure I had
time for nothing but being sick. As a part
of my coping strategy, I convinced myself
that cancer would be nothing but a blip in
my story. An interesting tale to share with
the grandkids one day, because we all know
the hero always survives. Right? Right . . .?
Sorry, but that is bibbidi-bobbidi-bullshit.
My cancer relapsed shortly after treatment
ended, while I was in the middle of
playing the part of the " brave, strong, and
well-adjusted " cancer survivor. I returned
to work, and everyone admired how well I
was handling everything. Privately, I was
not handling anything but depression and
anxiety. When my cancer returned it was
like a bomb went off. I was angry. I was
told by everyone (myself included) that this
chapter had ended. The reality was cancer
had inserted me inside a whole new book
and I was drowning in it.
In 2020, I underwent a stem cell transnce
upon a time, I was diagnosed with
cancer. I had a wonderful support system, my
treatments were easy on me, and I went right
back to my normal life after treatment ended.
Oh, and I looked fabulous bald! The End.
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MARCH 2023
plant which " knock on wood " worked and I
was declared no evidence of disease (NED).
I swiftly transitioned from my identity as
a cancer patient to a survivor. I had never
spent significant time in the land of survivorship,
but I could sense that it was different.
I was different. Optimism for a return to
my life was replaced with grief for Her. Her
being the girl I used to be. The life I used to
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Elephants and Tea - March 2023

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