Classification. Does it define me?

Like Mason's post, I had a similar scare this past summer. About two years ago I was having terrible stomach pains to the point of not eating. I had completely lost my appetite because the pain was just unbearable. It was not until I went to my first gastroenterologist appointment that I thought something serious could be causing all this pain. After the usual question answer question answer, stress seemed to be the major cause of my stomach pain and was decided that I would need an upper endoscopy.

I have had surgeries in the past so this 'twilight' sleep was going to be a piece of cake. After the minor operation it was determined that I had gastritis and esophagitis, which is simply inflammation of the stomach and the esophagus. This was the diagnosis I could accept. It was too horrible and I would be treated with a medication that would act as a stomach relaxer so I could finally eat again.

It wasn't until a year later that I started having the exact same problem again. I began to wonder if the medication wasn't working anymore or if I had a really bad case of the stomach flu. It dragged on and on for weeks--there was no way it was the stomach flu. I then decided to go to a new top notch gastroenterologist and get a second opinion to find the reason why my stomach was hurting so terribly.

I was in the doctor's office not really thinking that I could possible have something serious until the doctor came in with my mother. It was then that I was told that I had Barret's Esophagus. It was described to me as abnormal intestinal cells that grew into the esophagus acting as a defense mechanism against terrible acid reflux, especially acid reflux that wasn't treated for years. I was then told that because it was abnormal cells I would have to be screened for cancer every year. I could not believe it. Only a year ago my aunt was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and had recently passed away a week previous. This diagnosis was much scarier than the first one.

Here is where my story parallels Mason's. I was so worried about this diagnosis that my stomach kept getting worse and worse even after I started a new medication that was sure to help. I made myself so sick--just as Lewontin describes paralleling the self full-filling prophecy. I threw up acid and decided to go back into the doctor for another upper endoscopy. The doctor re-diagnosed me with GERD, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease which could be easily treated! Finally, some good news- no cancer!

I had to give short notice to work about taking off for my emergency operation. I told my boss and she understood completely. However, by the time I got back to work everyone was asking me if I was sick, as in terminally sick, CANCER sick. Word had gotten out that I apparently had cancer. It was as though I was a fragile egg that everyone was making sure wouldn't crack. CANCER. Thats the word that defined me, classified me, even though I didn't have cancer. Classify. Thats inherently what human's do. After things are classified it gives a sense of balance to the world, it makes sense. But does classification really simplify things?