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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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I Wish I Knew
I wish I knew how scared other people would be, as if they could catch death just by being near me.
I wish I knew how many people would slowly fade away from me.
I wish I knew how incredibly hard it is to tell people how scared you are.
Scars and Souvenirs
“Your MRI result came back and it looks beautiful. We won’t know for sure until after surgery, but it appears you had a complete response to the chemotherapy.” As I heard my oncologist say these words, I could feel my heart start to beat a little faster, almost as if perking up at the idea of truly living again. Sure, I still had a lumpectomy, 20 rounds of radiation, and the rest of my immunotherapy to endure. But the cancer was gone and the worst part was over. I could breathe a sigh of relief as my life was finally mine again. Right?
Read More...Mama Has Cancer
My mama has cancer
She explained it to me:
There is a tiny germ in her
That we just can not see
What Was I Thinking?!
It had been a long, hot day, and my best friend offered to make me a bath. This was a simple yes or no question, but not for me. I paused for a few minutes to ponder her offer. I have factors to consider; I have chronic T-cell large lymphocyte leukemia. This past year, I have also taken on a mystery disease for fun, which has all the symptoms of chronic heart failure, but my heart is healthy.
Read More...Things I Wish I Knew
I started doing self breast exams after reading a Glamour or Cosmopolitan magazine when I was in my late teens. The first of every month the magazine informed. November 1st, 2021, I found a lump in my left breast. One I thought I’d never find but one I was preparing to find.
Read More...Welcome to the Worst Club Ever
Long before the cancer tried to kill me, being blunt and upfront has always kind of been my thing. Having been raised by Irish parents who always taught me to be honest and to stick up for myself, this really comes as no surprise. So that’s how my attempted advice to welcome you into the Wort Club Ever may come across in the next few minutes, but I promise it’s all from experience and said with tons of love.
Read More...Changing The Conversation From Survivorship To Thrivership
I was so excited on my last day of chemo. I made a big glittery sign, brought cupcakes for the staff, and posted about how I beat cancer on social media. I planned an “apres-cancer” trip to Europe to celebrate and, other than waiting for my hair to grow back and my nipples to be tattooed on, I pretty much thought I was DONE with cancer.
Read More...A Long Cold Trek to Loving Yourself
To have someone who understood what I was going through and could guide me along the way would have been whipped cream and a cherry on top, but for most of my experience, it was like climbing up snowy mountains, sliding across an icy pond, and then through a winter storm.
Read More...Aliens
As I slowly transition out of the shower, I glimpse myself in the mirror. I don’t recognize my body. I see bright-colored stretch marks, dark and angry bruises, cuts that won’t heal, and scars I can’t place. Unsolicited weight gain, sagging skin, and multiple chins.
Read More...The Tug of War of Cancer
I am a long-term childhood cancer survivor. At the age of 11 months, I was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Now I am 55 years young and counting. I would like to share how cancer has impacted my stages of life from childhood to adolescence, adulthood, middle age, and hope of continued blessings during my senior life.
Read More...