Reality Television
In my continued quest to find a realistic portrayal of a young woman with breast cancer on television, I've set my DVR to record Lifetime's "Matters of Life and Dating" on Monday. Last year they ran "Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy" which I thought was great even before I was diagnosed. I haven't been able to make myself watch it again, though. I get as far as the scene where she is diagnosed and feel like someone is standing on my chest and have to stop. (Ok, I don't torture myself by trying to watch this movie often, but that's what happened the one time I did.)
I'm not sure why it's important to me to find the movie or television show that captures this, but I think it's because I want to be able to hand people a video tape and say, "See, that is exactly what I went through" and then there won't be any other explanation needed. There are a lot of times that I smile and say "I'm feeling great," just to avoid having the conversation and because I don't think anyone really understands anyway. I'd love to have something else be able to do the explaining for me.
I was hoping that "Crazy Sexy Cancer" would be that vehicle, and while it was an amazing documentary and very inspiring, it doesn't capture my cancer journey. And that's ok, because it was about her, not me. But since she hasn't been able to have any sort of chemotherapy or radiation or surgery, it's been a very different path. And while I was definitely able to relate to the emotions she experienced, I'm just not a wheat-grass enema kind of girl.
I am loving the Lynette/cancer storyline on "Desperate Housewives" this season. In fact, it's the only one that doesn't annoy me and probably the only reason I'm still watching the show. I knew exactly how she felt when she threw up in the purse, was rooting for her to snatch off her wig and throw the cancer card, and felt both her gratitude for her friends' support and her sadness when she didn't feel she could rely on them.
I'm learning to live with my new hair color, mainly because I realized yesterday that I don't have to see it unless I look in the mirror, so I just won't. You guys are the ones that have to look at me and you'll just have to deal with it!
I'm not sure why it's important to me to find the movie or television show that captures this, but I think it's because I want to be able to hand people a video tape and say, "See, that is exactly what I went through" and then there won't be any other explanation needed. There are a lot of times that I smile and say "I'm feeling great," just to avoid having the conversation and because I don't think anyone really understands anyway. I'd love to have something else be able to do the explaining for me.
I was hoping that "Crazy Sexy Cancer" would be that vehicle, and while it was an amazing documentary and very inspiring, it doesn't capture my cancer journey. And that's ok, because it was about her, not me. But since she hasn't been able to have any sort of chemotherapy or radiation or surgery, it's been a very different path. And while I was definitely able to relate to the emotions she experienced, I'm just not a wheat-grass enema kind of girl.
I am loving the Lynette/cancer storyline on "Desperate Housewives" this season. In fact, it's the only one that doesn't annoy me and probably the only reason I'm still watching the show. I knew exactly how she felt when she threw up in the purse, was rooting for her to snatch off her wig and throw the cancer card, and felt both her gratitude for her friends' support and her sadness when she didn't feel she could rely on them.
I'm learning to live with my new hair color, mainly because I realized yesterday that I don't have to see it unless I look in the mirror, so I just won't. You guys are the ones that have to look at me and you'll just have to deal with it!
Comments
Well, I am serious. You should seriously think about it. And by the way, you are cute no matter what color or how much hair you have.
And now that I know you watch Desperate Housewives, we're totally going to have to gossip about that. I'm usually unwilling to admit to people how much I love that show.