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

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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Seven Year Cancerversary: An Isolated Celebration

by Jennifer Anand March 18, 2020

Seven years. I’ve looked forward to today basically all of 2020 so far, as I do every spring. In the dreary winter and rainy spring months, March 18th is the day that I live for, and defines the first quarter of the year for me. But I’m spending it so differently from what I had planned, as I’m sure you are.

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What Beating Cancer Taught Me About the Fear of COVID-19

by Beth Reed March 17, 2020

Trauma is triggering, in whatever form it comes, the flashbacks, the physical sensations, the memories and most of all the reality.

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COVID-19 and Cancer Patients

by Jennifer Anand March 16, 2020

Self-isolation. With COVD-19, that’s what I’m hearing from everyone now. Aldi was completely sold out of meat, and almost of veggies. Sam’s Club was sold out of rice. Everyone, of course, is sold out of toilet paper.

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I Need You to Stay

by Alexa Jett March 9, 2020

On May 2nd, 2017, one week before my total thyroidectomy and the official start of my cancer treatment, I laid on my kitchen floor crying. I remember every single detail. How hard and cold the floor felt, the tears that pooled near my face, and the biggest thing: The sound of my now ex-boyfriend’s  boots walking out the back door and his car starting.

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Disability?

by Elizabeth Davis

Cancer, and cancer treatment,  wreak havoc on your body internally, yet can sometimes give a false appearance of health if you were to look at a picture of me or see me dressed in my Sunday best on days when I am able to make the effort.

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Sex Ed for Survivors: Safety First!

by Marloe Esch RN, BSN, OCN March 2, 2020

Safer sex practices are an important part of staying healthy, regardless of your age, gender, sexual orientation, relationship status…or cancer status!  But what does “safer sex” mean in the context of a cancer diagnosis? 

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The Time Bubble – March 2020 Issue

by Nick Giallourakis

This issue covers a lot of mixed emotions and I’m sure you will find one that you will relate too. You will laugh and you will cry but like all things Elephants and Tea, we will do it together. I hope you enjoy our first magazine issue of 2020. 

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Navigating the Workplace with Chemo Brain

by Lynda Wolters February 23, 2020

Is chemo brain real? Heck yeah. But what does it feel like. Imagine being in a murky lake, under water, wearing ankle weights, pressure in your ears and head. You fight, kick, pray for help. But it doesn’t come.

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Cancer and the Definition of Health

by Kirsten Efremov February 18, 2020

Are we ever truly healthy after a cancer diagnosis or treatment, especially as young adults? Can we take this current definition of health and use it to be “healthy” as a cancer patient’s, survivors, thrivers, warriors? Can we use a disease state to classify a new health term?

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Reflecting on the Past

by Jennifer Anand

I decided to do some reflecting on some of my journal entries from a few years ago. Five years ago to be exact. Five years. That seems like an eternity ago, and just yesterday all in the same moment. Rereading this reminded me of that girl.

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