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 Moments in Our Metamorphosis
Ah, my first day of being a cancer patient. While my shiny new diagnosis code was already sitting in my medical record, this was my first day at the specialty hospital. The one you hope to never find yourself in when you’re 25.
Read More...Live In The Moment
BE PRESENT. WHAT WE SHOULD ALL STRIVE TO DO: LIVE IN THE MOMENT. EMBRACE EVERY DAY BECAUSE TOMORROW IS NEVER PROMISED. I feel it’s safe to say that anyone who has been affected by cancer is constantly living in a state of “What if?”
Read More...Love and Cancer
I fell in love for the first time at 21 and it was that type of unreal type of love, the kind you only see in movies… love at first sight type of love. I had never experienced that before so when I say I fell hard I fell all the way.
Read More...Even Cancer Patients Like Sex
I know this topic is peculiar to talk about but as an adult it is a natural occurrence. Let’s talk about sex! I know you squirmed a little bit reading that and to be honest I am a little uncomfortable too, but I do not know why.
Read More...Cancer Care for the LGBTQ+ Patient: Creating Equity in Oncology and Community
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, plus (LGBTQ+) folks come from a variety of cultures, ethnicities, races, age-groups, and life experiences.
Read More...Warrior
My name is Keaton Williams and I am a cancer survivor. I was 19 years old, newly out of high school and thriving through college life. I was working at Disneyland, going out with friends, dating; everything was perfect.
Read More...Ten Years Old
Ten years old, first day of fifth grade, I can tell this story countless times, and it will never fade. The mild leg pain as I awake for a new day, assuming it’s a growth spurt, telling myself it will go away.
Read More...Finding My Herd and Voice
Since childhood I have always wondered where I “fit” in. You know, the regular teenage angst of wanting to be accepted and loved but at the same time still trying to figure out who you really are.
Read More...Reconciling Faith, Family, and Cancer
Growing up in a religion that kept you in line by catastrophizing everything, I would have thought that my whole life leading up to that point was preparing me to handle the word “cancer” when my doctor called on December 21st, 2015.
Read More...Finding Your Herd – YASU Style
When Nick (Giallourakis) asked me to write my story on “finding your herd”, so many thoughts entered my mind. Should I write from my personal experience? Should I frame this as a nonprofit oncology professional?
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