Breast Cancer Misfits

I read a great article this week, called "The Breast Cancer Club," by Cris Beam. In the article, Ms. Beam talks about women that don't fit into the typical stereotype of a breast cancer patient. Her description of wig-toting, pink ribbon bearing, coral lipstick wearing, breast flashing women had me smiling as I remembered my own encounters and how hard I tried to fit in with them.
I wrote about the "chemo club" in TGOIF, but although I was able to see a connection with other cancer patients in the supermarket, I never did fit into "The Breast Cancer Club."
I wasn't big on makeup, I didn't mind being bald, and going to support group meetings felt like a waste of time. I mean, who wants to go to spend an hour talking about lop-sided bathing suits bathing suits and how to properly draw on eyebrows when they could be at home, sleeping with Prince Phenergan?
Maybe that's why it's so hard to find a support group that seems to help. As Ms. Beam so eloquently put it, " We've got to talk about more than cancer with cancer. As long as it is held up primarily as a medical and cosmetic condition to overcome - AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SCARS ARE DISCUSSED ONLY IN TERMS OF THE PHYSICAL - survivors and their loved ones will suffer."
Very rarely do we talk about the fear, the rage and the loneliness that accompanies cancer. Even more rarely do we allow ourselves to have these feelings.
As I read the article, I began to see just how desparately I want "The Gown Opens in the Front" to reach young breast cancer survivors. Maybe there is someone out there that wants to learn more than how to be just like they were before. Maybe someone out there wants to experience the anger and the fear, which ultimately lead to patience.
What do you think?
a link to the article: www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-club