A three-hour tour

Gilligan and the rest of the passengers on the USS Minnow's three-hour tour became survivors the minute they knew the Minnow was sinking.

I would think that being stranded on a deserted island would tend to bring out the best in a person's survivor skills. Even though they all got wet when the boat went down, Mrs. Howell never lost a diamond, Ginger never had a hair out of place, and Maryanne never lost her perkiness. Then there was the Professor, who topped them all. With nothing but a coconut, palm fronds, and fish bones he built a 1.21 gigawatt radio tower.

There is a saying among cancer survivors that says "You become a cancer survivor the day you are diagnosed." I don't feel like a survivor. I feel like I am just recovering from surgery.

Survivors have had a mastectomy and lost their hair. Survivors have scars all over their heads from melanoma surgeries. Survivors are weak from chemo. Survivors fought hard through their life and and continue the battle every day.

I am not worthy of the same status as those courageous individuals who are still in the fight for their lives. They are the true survivors.

I'm just on the island with the other seven castaways.