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Dear Cancer
Each year we ask the AYA cancer community to submit letters to cancer to express their feelings about how cancer has changed their lives. People explore an array of emotions in these letters, including anger, sadness, gratitude, and hope.
Want to submit an article or write your own letter to cancer? Click Here.
Dear Cancer, You’ve Come Back
I cried to the universe. I yelled at the sky. I cursed the heavens. How could this be? Why was this happening? How would we make it through?
Read More...Dear Cancer, Your Fingerprints Are Everywhere
What an unforgiving companion you are.
So nonchalant,
so willing
to hollow out dreams.
Dear Cancer, I Failed at Cancer School
I went through 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 2 surgeries, and 28 rounds of radiation, and I failed at cancer school. The thought of having to repeat these courses, though, is now my greatest fear.
Read More...Dear Cancer, I am My Own Story
You see, I am finally giving myself the permission to be me in the most authentic way possible. Sure, you might have forced my hand at discovering these things about myself all at once rather than bit by bit as I age, but I’m sick and tired of you taking the credit for how my life has changed.
Read More...Dear Cancer, I Won’t Sit in Fear
Ever since you left, I can’t quite seem to find a rhythm. When I take two steps forward, you push me three steps back. I escaped our toxic affair, yet the ghost of who we were follows me everywhere.
Read More...Dear Cancer: A Son’s Point of View
I remember when Mama’s phone started ringing. She went to the kitchen and started crying. Dada ran down the stairs and was holding Mama’s hand. I’ve never seen her cry like this before. I felt so scared. I didn’t know what was happening, so I just kept playing with my toys.
Read More...Dear Cancer, I Choose to Heal
I know that you are going to create a whole lot of trouble. Anxiety, limited mobility, night sweats, allergic reactions, infections, dry mouth, hair loss… to name a few. So, I get it. People want to fight you. I’ve seen the “Kick Cancer’s A$$” t-shirts, mugs, and novelty socks. But, I am hesitant to put on my boxing gloves. For me, I am not sure I want my journey to be a violent confrontation.
Read More...Dear Cancer, There is Life After You
Why cancer, why did you come into my life, why did you break my heart, why did you take my family away from me? What did I do to deserve this? Do you hate me that much? Cancer became my number one enemy. I wish researchers can come up with a one cure for all, but a girl can dream, right. How do you heal a broken heart? Can you really stop all my tears shed every night? Is it your life’s vision to wipe out the world’s population?
Read More...Dear Cancer, Stop Taking Things from Me
Dear Cancer, All you have done is take things from me. You’ve taken my mother and brother. I knew you would come after me eventually. The symptoms had already started when you got one of my favorite aunts. Did you have to take my grown niece too? After I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma you tried to beat me down some more by making me watch several friends die of cancer. None of your tricks worked. You are an idiot. You are nothing but a piece of low-life, scumbag, son of a you know what.
Read More...Dear Cancer, Your Pain Made Me Stronger
Now I’ve written a book about my battle with you, so others will have the courage to fight you too. You might have thought you were powerful, but my faith was more powerful than you. I trusted my doctors, and I trusted God; together, you were defeated. You tried to destroy me, but in the end, you only made me stronger.
Read More...