the X power ring
Like many superhero enthusiasts, I set out on a pilgrimage this week to see the new X-Men Origins movie. I’ve been a groupie of the ragtag crew of mutants since I was young — particularly Wolverine.
I’m a Hugh Jackman fan for sure, especially when he wears that leather jacket and those tight jeans, but I’m an even bigger fan of superhero movies done right. This one was just mediocre. Jackman is always impressive as Wolverine; it’s everything else that falls short. A cheesy storyline and too many characters I didn’t care about. Shelve this one alongside other comic book movies I’ll probably never watch again, which includes Constantine, Hulk (the one with Eric Bana), and Catwoman.
Origins, nevertheless, got me thinking about our fascination with superheroes. I can trace mine back to the hours I spent watching Saturday-morning classics like Super Friends, Wonder Twins, and a loin-cloth-clad He-Man. All I needed was a bowl of cereal and the remote.
I imagine it was the fantasy of it all that got me watching initially. But as I got older, the series got better, more complex, more relevant. Justice League, Spider-Man, and Batman, for instance, not only chronicled the adventures of my favorite comic book characters, but also portrayed them as once-ordinary people functioning under extraordinary circumstances.
More often than not, some personal misfortune occurred in their lives that led to the discovery of their amazing abilities. Or, in the case of the X-Men, a mutant X-gene was identified as the source of superhuman powers. From then on, the beneficent heroes and heroines were compelled to use their powers to help humankind and to raise awareness about their collective plight.
Is it me or does this sound remarkably similar to the auspicious, but humble, journey of yours truly?
Let’s see. As a survivor, I think I have the extraordinary circumstances covered, and a cancer diagnosis is definitely a personal misfortune — albeit one I’m using to raise awareness. Mutant gene? Check. Cell mutations occurring in the body are the cause of malignant tumors.
Furthermore, like the superheroes I grew up watching, the discovery of my “abnormality” led me to uncover my own mental might. In fact, I’ve started to view cancer as my metaphorical X-gene, responsible for inspiring me to fight the good fight.
Could Chana Garcia aka Slayer be some sort of superhuman? That certainly sounds sexier than referring to myself as a mutant.
I even have a talisman — a ring a la Green Lantern that I picked up a few months back at a curio shop called Eclectica. Sounds like a place where the super among us might shop, right? When I slip on my power ring, I feel protected and, interestingly enough, it’s shaped like an X. I pretend that it represents my X-gene or reveals my secret identity as a warrior born of Generation X.
Call me corny, or more likely disillusioned, but creating a fantasy scenario in which I envision myself a champion crusader is a highly effective coping strategy, not to mention big fun. We all process our experiences differently, and when faced with such a heavy one like cancer, or any disease for that matter, I think it’s healthy to empower ourselves any way we see fit. Plus, who hasn’t imagined themselves as a superhero. I have dusty Polaroids from the early ’80s of me and my sister on Christmas sporting the Underoos that Santa brought us. You can probably guess which one of us was Wonder Woman.
Whether it’s advocacy or effecting change, I figure that by attempting to define a purpose behind this disease, I’ve tapped into something way larger than myself, something I imagine the comic book characters I love must have felt when they teamed up with others of their kind or when they found people who spoke up on their behalf. I’m hoping to find out at the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance’s annual conference in July, where there will be plenty more like me.
An entire legion of survivors descending upon the nation’s capital. Did somebody say superhero convention?
15 Comments
May 8, 2009 at 10:35 am
I loved this column, Chana, but then again, I love them all! You have always been my hero.
May 8, 2009 at 11:08 am
Alright, you have to let me be your sidekick. Every Superhero needs their trusted sidekick. Although, I’m not wearing spandex.
BTW — I though you were a superhero.
May 8, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Once again, I love the article. So relevant and on point, but that’s to be expected from “The Great Black Girl Cancer Slayer”.
May 8, 2009 at 5:49 pm
You are fabulous and will inspire many women and men to live!
May 10, 2009 at 6:28 am
i love how you called them an entire legion! lol you are so clever girl!
May 10, 2009 at 6:36 am
I have a confession. I’m not a big fan of reading, but I can’t seem to pull my eyes off of your stuff. I think one of your super powers might turn me into an avid reader. You ROCK!
May 10, 2009 at 11:05 am
Chine!!!! You’ve been my superhero for many years now. Glad the rest of the planet is finally catching on. Can’t wait until the movie comes out, cause u know all superhero’s get a movie (or a bookdeal
eventually. I better be written into the script and I want a cameo! Luv ya!
May 11, 2009 at 10:09 am
hahahahah!!! Chana! You’ve done it again! Capturing my full attention from the first sentence to the last with antispation of what’s coming next. I think the book is writing itself of these pages already… Keep it Girl! You’ve got everything it takes! I love what you do~!!!
May 12, 2009 at 3:51 am
I enjoyed our brief and blunted quasi-intellectual conversations that took place years ago..I enjoy your BGCS entries currently…keep pressing on and creating!
May 22, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Just read this Chana. Really cool. Keep fighting.
June 4, 2009 at 8:36 am
from a NP point of view, who works in a hospital..
I see the quality of physicians who are graduating from teaching hospitals.
They graduate primarily because there is a shortage of doctors and hospitals want to “put more physicians into the system”, as well as hospitals not wanting to make their
programs look bad.
I feel one of the MAJOR components what happened with you is the lack of thorough physicians.
REMEMBER LADIES OR MEN
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS.. GO ON THE INTERNET, RESEARCH AND APPROACH THE DOCTOR.. BE AGRESSIVE/PROACTIVE ABOUT YOUR
OWN LIFE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A PHYSICAN TO UNDERSTAND HEALTH ISSUES.
HEALTH CARE SHOULD BE A TEAM EFFORT-THE PHYSICIAN-NURSE PRACTITIONER AND PATIENT!
GOOD LUCK TO ALL
June 4, 2009 at 8:48 am
i have family and friends with cancer.a video found at google video researcher griffin did documentary on cancer and cure
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=griffin+cancer&emb=0#
June 5, 2009 at 3:16 pm
I want you to know that I am a 10 year survivor of stage 3c ovarian cancer. I too was misdiagnosed and dismissed.
Lucky for me, I had the best surgeon in the world, from MSK in Manhattan. The treatments were harsh but aggressive and today I feel fabulous. Keep up the message. I too have a mission to educate through prevention and eraly detection. Stay well.
June 13, 2009 at 11:34 am
Hey there! {waves}
Where have the bloggers like YOU been??!!!
I am soooo happy that I found this platform! I know that it will be a source of strength for so many!
Feel free to stop by my spot anytime!
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
March 19, 2010 at 3:51 pm
[...] like the jerk who makes her sick friend take the subway. Not to worry folks, she’s still a superhero who thinks this exchange was pretty [...]