Oh the games we play

Oh, the stupid little Facebook games. The little, quirky, mysterious statuses that have become a thorn in my side. I, inevitably, get NUMEROUS messages regarding these, because the thinking is "Hey Michelle had a mastectomy, she must be ok with this" I posted this note on Facebook and am happy to say I haven't received any messages since then. I wanted to go ahead and post it on my blog as well, just to get it out there.

Now I know that people doing this mean nothing but the best. I don't get personally offended by these statuses. Well, I take that back I DO get offended, just not towards the person. I can't get offended by someone who truly doesn't know how this affects people.

Here's my reasons I listed for why these stupid statuses ARE NOT ok:
1- These statuses are either a little sexual, misleading or mysterious. Let's face facts- you're posting them for attention, Not attention for breast cancer, attention for yourself. Let's call it what it is.
2- A very good point was brought up in another previvor's blog. Every message about these statuses say "Don't let the men know" And why?????? Men get breast cancer too. All of the time. Are they not supposed to be aware?
3- And really..what awareness is it raising? The instructions in the messages about the "game" also say "Don't tell anyone what's it about but forward this message to your girlfriends." Let's break down the very word awareness....Making people aware. People are made aware by being told about something. All of these statuses will either leave your friends thinking a) she's a whore b) she's drunk or otherwise intoxicated and posting random colors as her status or c) for some reason she's moving to a far away city but only planning to stay a few months. For no apparent reason. I promise you not one person will think "Gee..have I done my self exam lately?" Don't even get me started on this recent game...involving a number, the word inches, and :(.
4- Let's stop and think about other people for a second. Everyone knows what I've been through...only because I'm vocal (too vocal if you ask Mike and my parents). Some people aren't. You don't know what other people have been through. Breast cancer affects a lot more people than you think. I personally find it offensive that my agonizing decision to cut off my breasts, or my grandmother's or biological mother's breast cancer battle have been trivialized into some mysterious, stupid status.
Now, let's talk about ways to raise breast cancer awareness (big and small)
Fundraising for Susan G Komen
Race for the Cure
Making Strides Against Breast Caner
Changing your profile picture on Facebook to a pink ribbon
Volunteering for other events
Educating women on the importance of self-exams and early detection
Acceptable slogans for breast cancer awareness:
Save the ta-tas
I love boobies
Save second base
Fight like a girl
You see? If you want to raise awareness, more power to you! Awareness is a FANTASTIC thing. A facebook status isn't awareness...calling it awareness won't change that fact.

I know a few of us ranting and raving about this isn't going to stop them from coming up. In fact, I have a feeling that some people who read this will go right ahead and jump on the bandwagon when they get another message like this. But I want to ask each and every person to stop and think about it before you do it. Think about how many people on your friend's lists may be affected by breast cancer. Just take other people's feelings into account before you do something. And...why don't you post a fact about breast cancer as your status instead?

THAT'D raise awareness!