Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
A Concept of Time
My mind feels like the first 10 seconds after waking up from an accidental nap.
Mostly disoriented and mildly questioning reality.
Not quite sure how much time has passed,
My New Perspective: The Most Valuable Resource
Minutes. Hours. Days. Weeks. Months. These are some of the measurements we use to explain the passing of time. 36 days. That’s how long it was from the first biopsy to my diagnosis of cancer. 1 week and 2 days. That’s how long from the time of diagnosis until I was seen by Oncology.
Read More...Beyond Expectations: Gratitude for Those Who Kept Showing Up
As a military spouse, making and keeping friendships is often challenging. The constant moves and short time in any one location often make it hard to make and maintain friendships while moving from base to base. In January 2018, my husband received orders from the Army, notifying us that he’d been reassigned to work in Manhattan, New York.
Read More...The Many Unseen Challenges of Survivorship
I don’t think any AYA would agree with the definition of survivorship, at least in the traditional sense. Through media and life in general, the AYA community is largely forgotten. I think the traditional definition of survivorship only applies to much older generations who have outrageous amounts of money in their retirement accounts.
Read More...My Dark Gamble
Hi! I’m Liz. I got my ticket to join the “Young Adults With Cancer” community at age 33. If you found this article, you know better than most the alarmingly far-reaching impacts cancer has on lives. Obviously, it was the most physically challenging part of my journey, but let me have you take a step back. This story is to appreciate how a dark gamble (okay okay, “healthy risk”) won. That gamble gave me a launch pad and has me beaming about my career today.
Read More...It Was All a Dream
My story is unique. I didn’t have symptoms of cancer. I didn’t have any medical issues I was dealing with. And to my knowledge, there were no cancer genes in my family. In fact, I would have never found my cancer if it wasn’t for an eye-opening dream I had about my mother. Buckle up, friends, I am about to take you on a journey that you would never believe. It will strengthen your faith and remind you there is something bigger than all of us out there.
Read More...Happy Cancerversary: “You Can Take Your Mask off Now!”
There are many milestones to which we pay joyful homage. Weddings, graduations, having a new baby. But there is one that generally goes unnoticed. Being a cancer survivor. And rightfully so. We’re not the majority of the population. Interestingly enough, depending on who you talk to, this celebration doesn’t always bring the kind of joy […]
Read More...Dear Cancer, Stop Taking Things from Me
Dear Cancer, All you have done is take things from me. You’ve taken my mother and brother. I knew you would come after me eventually. The symptoms had already started when you got one of my favorite aunts. Did you have to take my grown niece too? After I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma you tried to beat me down some more by making me watch several friends die of cancer. None of your tricks worked. You are an idiot. You are nothing but a piece of low-life, scumbag, son of a you know what.
Read More...I’m Tired of Talking About My Emotions!
Talking, thinking and writing about, burying, processing and shielding your feelings is kind of a pain in the ass. Feelings! Emotions! Who even wants them sometimes?
Read More...The Thing About Cancer and Birthdays
Like clockwork, ever since turning thirty, I would always freak out a few months before my birthday. Have I accomplished what I wanted to this year? Will I run out of time in meeting “The one” and in starting a family? Will I find time to pursue all my dreams and passions?
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