Survivorship

Genito-What? Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Part II

Welcome to Part II of our series all about genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)—t he sneaky but significant side effect you’ve never heard of! If you haven’t read Part I, I’d suggest going back and starting there. It’s a good intro into our current convo because it gets into the nitty gritty of what GSM is and why it can develop in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) after cancer.

Fake It Until You Make It

When you see cancer portrayed in the media, there are two common storylines. Either the patient is dying, or they are living their “best life” despite it all.

What Do (and Don’t) You Expect?

Expectations. From the second we come into this world, there are expectations. They expect their bouncing baby girl to be a prom queen, or a genius, or an author, or a myriad of things.

A Groundless Place

As a pre-med student majoring in psychology, I was fascinated by the brain and engrossed in my neuroscience courses. Oliver Sacks’ books filled my shelves, days spent shadowing in neurology clinics filled my summers, and research into the evolutionary origins of human cognition filled my college years.

The Misunderstood Tragedy

I have a confession. Last week, I did something I never thought I would—I signed up for a 5K. Let me be clear: I’ve never willingly run that far in my life, and I’ve never felt the desire to.

I Didn’t Expect to Live

Expectations.

I expected to live a long, healthy life without wondering if I’ll reach my thirtieth birthday.

I expected not to lie awake tonight, stunned and saddened because Alex is gone.

No One Expects the Spanish Inquisition (Or Pancreatic Cancer)

I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic adenocarcinoma—the muchdreaded, frequently lethal cancer of the pancreas—in early 2021. At the time, I had just turned 33 and was living in Durham, North Carolina, while the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Redefining Normal

Life After Cancer
I counted down the days to when active treatment for cancer would be over.
I counted down the appointments to when I would be free.

When Cancer Conjured the Ghosts and Revived New Spirits

Even before I was diagnosed with cancer, my still-young body was already plagued by exhaustion, and I was slowed down in my drive and rhythm. It seems as if my life was pointing a finger at me and saying, “Watch out, it can’t go on like this!”

Thank You Cancer for Showing Me How to Live

At 31, my life turned upside down in an instant. Being diagnosed with cancer was a shock that changed everything. Now, ten years later, I’m a three-time cancer survivor, and my perspective on life has dramatically shifted. Surviving something I thought would kill me has given me a new outlook.