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!

Survivorship

The stories and experiences are written by people after cancer treatments. These stories are written for those learning how to get back to work, college or just trying to be themselves again. Just getting past treatments isn’t enough, it is surviving and thriving that is key to being you again.

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The Second Battle: Rebuilding After Cancer

by Lisa Korenman November 24, 2025

We spend more than a year—sometimes even longer—fighting every day for our lives through cancer. Then, in remission, our bodies remain on high alert, bracing for the next blow.

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Surviving Survivorship

by Kimberly Flesch

No one prepared me for survivorship. No one braced me for how much harder surviving cancer would be than it ever was fighting it. No one told me it would be impossible to reclaim a life that once existed before cancer crudely intruded.

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Survivorship – Rediscovering Life

by Kristina Canlas November 17, 2025

It’s been a little more than two years since I kept reading the biopsy report over and over in my hands, the words “Invasive breast carcinoma” not sinking in.

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Reality is…. Surviving Survival

by Jaymie-Lyn Robinson

Today’s the day! After all the tests, doctor’s appointments, biopsy, bloodwork, scans, treatment, hospital stays, and infusions, you get to ring the bell!! You are in remission!

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The “In-Between”

by Carrie T November 10, 2025

One day, someone who just finished their active treatment asked me, “So what is survivorship?” At that moment, I suddenly froze, even though I’ve been in “it” for several years, I didn’t have an immediate response for her.

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My Resilience

by Alex Montelongo

The cancer journey can take a lot from you. Outsiders may think it’s only the physical things that get to you, like your hair. They’re wrong.

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The Uneven Scales of Cancer Survivorship

by Emily Sloan November 3, 2025

Cancer leaves an imprint on every survivor, reshaping lives in ways both visible and hidden. When I reflect on my own journey, the losses stand out immediately. The most tangible is my career in special education.

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The Worst Has Yet to Come

by Casey Kang November 2, 2025

What would you say to your past self if you could prepare for a cancer diagnosis? Being told you have cancer is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to hear.

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The Unseen Battle of Life After Treatment

by Valerie Derteano October 27, 2025

After being diagnosed with breast cancer at 33 last year—and completing active treatment (chemo, surgery, radiation) a few months ago, with one more surgery still ahead—I’ve found myself stepping into survivorship.

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Erection Protection: The Sexy Side of Heart-Healthy Habits

by Marloe Esch DNP, RN, APNP, AGCNS-BC, OCN, CSC October 20, 2025

“You’re too young to be worrying about your heart health!” Hmmm . . . where have I heard that sentiment before? I don’t know about you, but as a young adult (YA) cancer survivor, I’m highly skeptical of anyone who tells me that I’m “too young” to worry about anything related to my health. 

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