I have not seen the show yet, but I take offense to the title...crazy SEXY cancer? As an RN and highly educated, including having worked oncology, cancer is in no way sexy or glamourous. so I have to ask who was the brainiack that named this show? I think that the show is an insult to those around the world who are cancer SUFFERERS
In response to monicabeach, I have to say that your initial knee-jerk reaction probably is not the first; however you do state that you are highly educated.
In my experiences, when I encounter highly educated people they don’t open up by saying, “I have not seen the show yet” and proceed to give what they believe the message is because of their offense to the title. Rather, I encounter people who research the topic and find the full meaning before jumping the gun.
I have seen the trailer, and have read her blogs, and here is what she says about the very reaction you have had.
“Some skeptics have asked “what’s so sexy about cancer lady?” My response: the women who have it! We are crazy, sexy, whole, loving, surviving, delicious women….. “
You can also visit her website, www.crazysexycancer and take a look at the message she is sending, while incorporating others stories and forming a safe, caring and loving approach to this life altering diagnosis.
She is an incredible woman, who is working on building an umbrella you can be shielded with, while being given a wealth of knowledge into the world of wellness, healing, and LIVING, with any adversity one may have.
So in essence monicabeach, we all have initial reactions, but someone who educates themselves beyond the “what!” reaction, become more enlightened in any way they personally choose to be.
I am sure that once you dive in, you will change your mind, and if not, much love to you, as you are entitled to your opinion.
Thank you Monica. I"m a survivor and I'm offended by what I'm seeing and yes, the title really irritates me. There is nothing sexy about a bald female cancer patient in bed for days throwing up or unable to eat due to chemo treatments (describing myself). I find this show disrespectful in so many ways. Cancer is not hip, cool and crazy. This seems like such a shallow representation of a very scary situation for so many people. God bless to those who are in the fight. I wish TLC would rethink their decision to air this program.
It's very unfortunate to me that anyone would have a such a strong, negative reaction to the title. My guess is that once you watch the film (and I hope you will) that you'll see that the title is meant precisely to counteract the kind of thinking that would make a woman feel like she is no longer sexy or womanly because she has lost her breasts, or anything else, to cancer.
It's my impression that the title - like the film itself - is meant to make women feel empowered who have been left feeling otherwise by this illness. Perhaps try looking at it this way, the "brainiack" who made the film is a cancer survivor. Do you really think she's trying to insult people who have cancer?
I just this evening saw the commercial advertising the show coming on. I thought- "how awesome!" Having just been diagnosed in the past month, gone through a mastectomy, and knowing my breast cancer spread to my lymph nodes...this is obviously all new to me.
I am now facing multiple rounds of chemo and radiation. I'm a SEXY, yes, I said it, vibrant, active, single 40 year old who intends on remaining that way even through my treatments! I have no intentions of this disease fighting me down to the ground and beating me. I still intend on going out with friends, wearing fun wigs and scarves, etc. I might be asking a bit much of myself, but if I don't go into this with that attitude I feel I'll be beaten. That's MY opinion, and I understand not all people feel that way. I might also find that I'm way too energetic about this and am completely wrong about how I'll be. I do know, however, that I might not get sick...I might not lose my hair, etc. I like having higher hopes rather than expecting the worst. I have to rely on my support system of family and friends, and my own self positive attitude to get me through this. I've been told 90% sure you'll lose your hair, don't kid yourself. Ok, so it grows back....I will deal. If I don't look at the positives, I'll become a hermit and suffer from depression and let the cancer get me. I'm not letting that happen.
Yes, it's not hip and cool- but not having seen the film yet, I think none of us can make judgement on what she is trying to relay. All of us, in some way are touched and affected by cancer. It's something in our lifetime we all have to face whether it be ourselves, a loved one, a friend or colleague. It's something she's trying to say to make the best of a very bad situation.
I love the title, I can't wait to follow the documentary, and I can't wait to meet other women in my support group to converse with and establish a connection for some time to come.
I too am a cancer survivor. I've been living with bile duct cancer for the past year and a half and have been through many treatments. I've been bald, I've been throwing up and unable to eat, I've been poked and prodded more than anyone ever should, I've had tumors burnt out and arteries sealed off, I've seen a lot of the not so sexy feeling side of cancer. BUT I agree cancersister1 and v9218, I think the title, and Kris's message, is about empowerment. It's about taking back our right to think of ourselves as sexy and beautiful and whole. Cancer is NOT sexy, but WE are! And we are NOT cancer, we are young women who just happen to have cancer. We are not our baldness, or our breastlessness, or whatever other horrors we have faced. We are women who have been chosen, for whatever reason, to find new ways to define ourselves... and maybe help others do the same. Now I'm not saying it's easy. I have more than my share of crying crappy days, but if we want to go on and be "us" again we have to accept this challenge. There is only moving forward from here, there is no "undoing" what's happened, and while sitting still is an option, it doesn't get us, or those we love, where we need to be. So we press on. Perhaps some of us do it with a little more "irreverence" as Kris has shown us. But cancer, itself, is irreverent, butting into our lives and changing everything without so much as a "by your leave". So how much reverence is cancer really due? The people who have cancer, sure! But cancer itself? No. And besides, we're young vivacious women, if we get kicked (by cancer) why wouldn't we kick right back?
I look forward to the airing of Kris's film and I am so grateful for finding this wonderful woman who has the ability to share and show so much of what many of us are thinking, feeling, and going through.
A topic as important as cancer is bound to trigger emotional responses. Perhaps those who object to the title and the stories being told in the film can find comfort in the fact that the women in this film are not striving to be the universal voice of women with cancer. The women featured, including the film maker herself, are telling their stories. I don't believe Kris's hope with this film was to show better way of dealing with caner...just another way.
When posting reactions, please also consider that no one benefits when we join together to pull another person down. Kris's beautiful film was made to build people up. Let's not take away from that by missing the story that is being told here.
I am not a survivor myself but I did see both of my parents live with cancer and ultimately die from cancer by the time I was 28 years old. For my mom, fighting cancer included wearing fire red nail polish and lipstick and her silver jewelry. In my mind she was beautiful and sexy through it all because beyond the cancer she was my radiant momma bear.
Let us remember that there is no sound more beautiful than the voice of human kindness. I wish each one of you love and strength.
Having had breast cancer 2 years ago at 35 and going through 2 surgeries, aggressive chemo, hair loss, radiation, mouth sores, lack of emotions, loss of apetite etc. I can honestly say there is NOTHING SEXY about cancer in anyway shape or form, to put even that word and cancer together in a sentance is completely unethicial and totaly not realistic, its downright disgusting, I cant beleive TV producers allow a title like that to be aired on TV. As for the show itself I will most probably watch it as I read and watch as much as I can on the subject. Please change the name I think its offensive!!!!!!
As one of the crazy sexy cancer chicks featured on the documentary I must say I am surprised by the reaction to the title. I think its all in the way you interpret it. Throughout the film you will see me looking anything but sexy. I was bald, sick and totally swollen from prednisone. However, I never let the cancer ruin my attitude. I could look in the mirror and see past everything and know that the women inside, fighting this horrible disease was sexy! You are all entitled to your own opinion but I hope you will all tune in and try and understand the incredible message Kris is trying to portray. Believe me, having a positive attitude really ticks cancer off and helps you fight fight fight!!!!!
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Women are not the only ones who get cancer. Will there be a sequel "Wacko Studly Cancer?" Cancer is horrible! God bless those who are in the middle of it, have survived it, or will face it in their lives. God bless those who did not live to make a movie about it.
Yes, ratdog I'm thinking that too. LOL And perhaps after TLC is done with Cancer, they can move onto other diseases and televise Crazy Sexy Massive Heart Attack! Perhaps those living with heart disease will feel empowered by that.
Seriously, I think/hope that Kris Carr's open and direct outlook on dealing with this disease will hopefully be helpful to those that have or have had cancer - and to their support systems as well. Those of us that have had the disease know that we couldn't have done it without all of you. I look forward to an interesting dialogue after the program has aired.
But honestly, I've given it much thought and I think the thing that irks me about the title is that there is such constant pressure on women, particularly from and in the media to look sexy. And when I first saw this title I thought - my God - now we're supposed to try and look/feel sexy while we're fighting cancer too? So you see, its not that I don't think women fighting this disease aren't beautiful in their own unique way, but why don't we give ourselves a break for once? I hope this program doesn't make an entire generation of women suffering with cancer feel inadequate because they can't muster up that sexy feeling that this program's title now seems to imply that we are supposed to have. And if that is NOT what the show is implying then its a very poor choice of title.
I'm sure the producers are sitting around a table saying to each other "See - its working, the title is creating a buzz online".... but they need to know that its at the expense of some cancer sufferers/survivors that are turned off by their characterization which does seem to trivialize the disease. You've gone for the sizzle in lieu of the substance. Why not Caring & Connecting with Cancer? Oh, yeah, not SEXY enough.
In response to monicabeach: I take offense to your comment. As a young woman & cancer survivor I know firsthand what is crazy and what is sexy about cancer. Cancer strips away all the stuff society has deemed as sexy: hair, eyelashes, fingernails, and in my case, breasts. What is left is a woman, a soul: Raw, vulnerable, courageous, and empowered. Must I ask what is not sexy about that???
We are not "sufferers." We are warriors: blazing our way in a world full of misconceptions, fears, and stigmas.
Cancer may not be an easy process, and you are correct, it is not always glamourous. But, for many of us, cancer opens the door to a world of love, compassion, & beauty. A world that is all too often neglected by our busy day-to-day lives. It slows down the chaos and fine-tunes the things that really matter.
I choose to view my cancer as an opportunity - to grow, to beleive, to learn, to thrive, and to love. With that comes freedom from the stigmas which for so long surrounded my thoughts and beliefs. Hopefully, this film will help others to realize they have the CHOICE to do the same.
I am appalled at the title of this show! I lost my 37 year old husband to cancer 8 yrs ago and believe me there is nothing sexy about it. I'm all for seeing someone blog about going thru the journey, etc, but this title needs to be changed!
In reading about the show, and why it was called this it actually states amoung other things..."to poke fun at...." ?????
I'd like to chat for 5 minutes with the person that named this.
TLC is a great channel, but unfortunately I will not watch this show, "Crazy Sexy Cancer". I am thinking maybe the show should have been a book and not recieved so much publicity. I am all for everyone sharing their stories, but this one I am passing on.
I lost my mother 2 1/2 years ago to ovarian cancer and I agree with some of the other comments where there is nothing sexy about cancer. I think my father would agree. Also about how the story "pokes fun" at cancer, come on, I don't think there is anything fun about cancer. I cringe when I see the commercial on TLC about this show.
Just a little disturbing to me. I just needed to vent some about this.
Do you people not understand? The author of this documentary, KRIS CARR, HAS CANCER. The women in the documentary HAVE CANCER. We all know cancer is a horrible disease, but this AMAZING woman has chosen to fight it, live her life, AND HELP OTHER PEOPLE do the same thing! You haven't even seen the film yet - you have no idea WHY she named the documentary what she named it - HOW CAN YOU SIT IN JUDGEMENT when you don't know what you're talking about? She's not saying cancer is sexy, she's not poking fun of people with cancer. She's saying I'm not giving up, I'm not going to let this get me down, I'm going to LIVE the best way I can. And, YES, I'M GOING TO BE SEXY, IF I WANNA BE SEXY. She has helped so many women and has had ENORMOUS positive feedback. I, personally, am in AWE of her. I say, GO, KRIS, GO!!!!!! And I'm appalled that there are people out there trying to knock her down.
You may be surprised, when you watch the film, to see that TLC may not have depicted her actual message in their commercials. They are, after all, a tv station. Why don't you all wait until after you have all the facts before venting your opinions.
I can't wait for this documentary to be on; I've had my DVR programed for weeks just waiting for it. I purchased her book, Crazy, Sexy Cancer Tips. Then I had to purchase a second one because everyone I know wants to borrow it. I don't personally know anyone with cancer, but I sure know what book I'm going to give anyone who has the misfortune of being diagnosed with cancer.
Go, Kris, GO!!!!!
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I, and I believe most of us on the board that take offense are not knocking Kris Carr or the program that hasn't aired yet - unless she created the title and/or the TV spot. It sounds like most of the posters on this board have had an intimate relationship with cancer too and therefore we are all just as qualified to comment on this subject as Kris will do in her program and sounds like she has already done in her book. I can only hope as the last poster suggests that the program is different than what TLC portrays in the commercials.
We are all entitled to our opinions and feelings though. My vantage point is now one of someone who sees cancer in my rear view mirror (and let it forever stay that way). There were life lessons on my journey through cancer that stay close to my heart, however I decline to write about it like its some joyous sisterhood trip. It wasn't, it's not really about that and I'm grateful and feel very humble about still being alive.
Yes, ratdog I'm thinking that too. LOL And perhaps after TLC is done with Cancer, they can move onto other diseases and televise Crazy Sexy Massive Heart Attack! Perhaps those living with heart disease will feel empowered by that.
Come on!
I am a brain cancer SURVIVOR. Right now, I am on chemo and it is kicking my butt bigtime. I havent left my couch all week, much less looked in the mirror. Yet I still feel sexy, and my husband thinks my bald head is BEAUTIFUL. You guys are missing the point, it is about empowerment. It is about not letting cancer define you. It is about taking cancer by the horns and saying "Not this time, Not my body, Not my spirit"
It isn’t about the cancer, it isn’t about what it has the ability to do to our bodies, it isn’t about the treatments or the part of us it takes away… its about the journey. Its about rediscovering the parts of yourself that you never ever knew or dreamed existed, and giving them room to grow and room to take flight. Its about seeing life through cancers eyes and being better because of it, being more whole and more alive despite it.
Its about living.
Sure there are going to be days that we feel like a Mac truck just bulldozed over us. There are going to be days when you look in the mirror and think “Who is that person, and what did she do with my hair?” But there are going to be days that we are fully alive and energized too, its part of the journey. Its part of life. But its not the only part.
Its not the defining part
I am still a mother. I am still a wife. I am still a daughter. I am still the same Heather that I was before I found out that I had cancer, just alot more mature and a heck of alot less naive. I still have the same heart, the same dreams, the same desires. I am still me, cancer cant take that away.
I too am concerned about the title (my knee jerk reaction, I guess.) While I look forward to seeing the film, because I love to hear how people coped with and got through this life-changing illness, the title appears to a cheap trick to shock and get attention. As I sit here, recovering from a mastectomy, still having some of the side effects of six months of chemo, tired from the minor surgeries and indignities leading up to this moment, I can assure you that none of this feels sexy to me. My hormones are being blocked; I can see the changes in my body from the lack of hormones, not to mention my missing breast. I am a lucky one, my cancer seems to have responded to the therapy I received, but only time will tell. I am outgoing, talented, sexy to my beloved husband (and educated, since that seems to matter to one of the posters), but none of that has a thing to do with this cancer. The cancer did not change my personality or make me a better person. This is not the only challenge I have had in life and I doubt that it will be the last. I met this challenge with the same skills that I met the previous ones; with the perseverance and humor that got me through raising my children, and getting two college degrees( B.A.( biology), M.S.( genetics) again for those to whom it seems to matter), in my thirties and forties, and running my own business for the past ten years. I cannot say that " my crazy sexy bad childhood" was a positive thing in any way or that the "crazy sexy cancer" that has taken the lives of several family members has made me feel positive about the experience either. While I watched my stepfather die of lung cancer a year and a half ago, I can assure you that "crazy sexy lung cancer" was the last way he would have decribed it. Being able to keep food down would have rated high then.
Yes, I am still the loving, sexual woman (though much too tired and ill at the moment to do more than think about it) that I was before cancer, but the cancer itself has nothing to do with that.
I believe that this film will be interesting for the content but the title is a big turn off for many of the people I have talked with. Cancer is still a big deal, with often tragic results. This title seems to trivialize it and the efforts of so many brave people to survive or die with dignity in the face of sometimes overwhelming side effects and pain. Often, people think that because your treatment is over, you should be back to normal, you should get over it. Will this film encourage that sort of thinking? I am looking forward to seeing what the film is actually like, hopefully it won't trivialize the experience as well.
I've read the book Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips. It's full of useful info and it made me laugh.
I think we can use all the humor we can get. I think we should spend more time creating funnies and enjoying what life is left and less time being angry/upset/victimized.
I don't understand people who don't like something and then demand that the something be altered or removed from its audience. If you're displeased, don't watch it. You're not a part of its audience. I want to watch it. Let me do it in peace.
I am a breast cancer survivor,as is my Mom. I lost my Grandmother to breast cancer.
Chemo had me flat on my back and bald for months and the Cancer has taken away both of my breasts . But it did NOT take away my spirit or my soul.
None of us gets out of this life alive....But we can chose *how* we live . I say Viva to a crazy sexy life!
I have an Aunt who still can not even *say* cancer.It's tiring to have people top toeing around me . I am glad that this film has been made. It is my hope that this film will bring the truth about living with this disease to light.
I have no intentions of this disease fighting me down to the ground and beating me. I still intend on going out with friends, wearing fun wigs and scarves, etc. I might be asking a bit much of myself, but if I don't go into this with that attitude I feel I'll be beaten. That's MY opinion, and I understand not all people feel that way. I might also find that I'm way too energetic about this and am completely wrong about how I'll be. I do know, however, that I might not get sick...I might not lose my hair, etc. I like having higher hopes rather than expecting the worst. I have to rely on my support system of family and friends, and my own self positive attitude to get me through this. I've been told 90% sure you'll lose your hair, don't kid yourself. Ok, so it grows back....I will deal. If I don't look at the positives, I'll become a hermit and suffer from depression and let the cancer get me. I'm not letting that happen.
And I'm appalled that there are people out there trying to knock her down.