The Elephant in the Room is Cancer. Tea is the Relief Conversation Provides.

January, 18th 2025: Join us for food, drinks, dancing, and author sharing — all to support our mission. Learn more here!

Patients

The stories and experiences in this category are written by people currently going through treatments for cancer. Read these stories to find inspiration and know that you are not alone in your experience with cancer.

Want to submit a story?  Click Here.

September 2020 Magazine: The Wellness and Mindfulness Issue

by Nick Giallourakis September 2, 2020

When we put together our editorial calendar at the end of 2019 for 2020, I never imagined how significantly important our decision was to make the September magazine the “wellness and mindfulness” issue.

Read More...

One on One Support

by Nick Giallourakis August 21, 2020

We are excited to be able to partner with Imerman Angels as we continue to help people across the AYA cancer community know they are not alone in facing cancer by providing one to one support.

Read More...

Cancer Fashion

by Christy Lorio August 18, 2020

Your clothing is probably the last thing on your mind when you receive those dreaded three words: “You have cancer.” There are so many other pressing matters. What stage am I? What’s the next course of treatment? Will my health insurance cover all of this? But we have to wear clothes everyday, so why not use them as a means of self care?

Read More...

The Cure

by Kayla Tremblett

The petite nurse, while thawing out the first bag, tells me that each pouch will take one minute to infuse. In three minutes I’ll be done. Three minutes and I’m supposedly cured. I lean back as the nurses start infusing the first bag of cells.

Read More...

Cancer and My Dissertation

by Devyani Mahajan August 16, 2020

I woke up on 7th July 2017 like any other day; my cat purring at my side and the smell of fresh coffee coming from the kitchen. Little did I know that this date would change the course of my life completely.

Read More...

Schrödinger’s Cancer Patient

by Melissa Blank August 13, 2020

There is a thought experiment in physics used to illustrate the quantum mechanics of superposition with a cat that is simultaneously alive and dead, and neither alive nor dead, depending upon observation of said cat.

Read More...

When Trust is Gone

by Megan-Claire Chase August 6, 2020

Was there ever a time when one could just be the patient and trust the doctor would take time to review their chart and make customized recommendations of treatment?

Read More...

I am Thankful

by Greg Pierce July 31, 2020

We have a wonderful family ready to help support us and a mass of friends that will be here to help Donna if needed. We appreciate every one of you. You’ve heard the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child”. Well, it takes a village to fight off cancer; to do it for the fourth time might even take a city. This is going to be a tough one, so if you will, cover me……. I’m going in!

Read More...

My Real Cancer Story, No BS

by Kayla Tremblett July 17, 2020

Eventually, I decided to go on mediation because I just felt like I wasn’t improving to the point where my quality of life was stable…I just wanted to be happy again, and finally, I can truly say that I am. Being on medication for your mental health is nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes we need help because our body balance is just off tilt enough to cause us daily pain and suffering. I didn’t want to suffer anymore. Being brave is about being honest, and for me meant that I needed a little extra help to balance my body and take that edge off. After 5 years of being stuck in a void of darkness and pain, I can finally say that I have found my happiness and will to live again.

Read More...

My “Live Funeral”

by Kristen Stewart July 10, 2020

When I reflect on the scariest week of my life, my heart nearly explodes at the support I received from family and friends. There’s no chance I would have gotten through the week of my emergency brain surgery without them.

Read More...