Hi Toni,
Welcome to Yoga Bear! I love your tee shirt...Hope!
I agree that there are many people who don't really understand what to do with "cancer". There are many stereotypes that exists and there is misplaced 'fear' and apprehension.
For me, the choice to be and stay 'public', has allowed me the time to see that reactions are not about me at all. It really is about the person having the reaction. My 'living outloud' and talking about cancer has offended some people. "Why do you need to teach a special yoga class for cancer survivors?" Well, only those people that see the value in identifying themselves as survivors are going to show up in a class; there are many that choose not to come. I can only follow what is right for me.
Cancer has 'given me permission' to be myself. Though I am not trying to intentionally offend anyone; I will also not impede my freedoms to advocate, educate and provide services to other survivors/thrivers.

I apologize for the others that have mistakenly and harmfully used your cancer diagnosis as a misguided explanation.

My mentor in the cancer world is an eleven year, stage 4 colon cancer thriver who lives outloud. She got so tired of doctors telling her she was terminal, she had a hat made. On the front it says, "I'm terminal" on the back it says, "So are you".

Perhaps the greatest prejudice cancer patients and thrivers face is around 'death and dying'. Well, we're all going to die. Most people don't like to talk about death, especially their own!

I'm very proud of you for standing up and being counted among thrivers advocating for other surviviors!

Blessings,
and thanks for the opportunity to chat
Jean