Patients
The stories and experiences in this category are written by people currently going through treatments for cancer. Read these stories to find inspiration and know that you are not alone in your fight with cancer.
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Warnings – My Ovaries Are Trying to Tell Me Something
Before I was discharged from the hospital my surgeon and my gynecologic oncologist had warned, “Stay off the internet. You’ll only succeed in terrifying yourself.” If their intent was to protect me by saying this they had both failed miserably.
Read More...March 2021 Magazine: What Cancer REALLY Does to Me
In this new magazine, the AYA cancer community dives into how cancer REALLY changes them. From rocking your faith or strengthening faith, realizing people don’t think you “fit” the mold, feeling guilting for surviving, what that damn “C” word does to you, and how some use their voice for supporting others. This is definitely a must read issue!
Read More...How Pokémon Prepared Me for Cancer
Like many children of the early naughts, I grew up on a strict diet of Pokémon. I watched the anime every day and spent my free time playing the Game Boy games. The adorable monsters consumed my life starting at five years old.
Read More...“I Want You to Give Me a Job”
Having someone who says “I want you to give me a job” is important because it let’s me know that I will not be a burden on her in that way, I will be helping her feel like she is doing what she can to support me.
Read More...Download the Top 7 Tips for a Successful Doctor’s Visit
In collaboration with our friends at Abridge, we developed the handout “Top 7 tips for a successful doctor’s visit”. Our goal is to have this be a resource to help organize and prepare patients before any oncology or PCP visit.
Read More...The Impact of Showing Up…or Not
Forgiveness is a virtue. I’ve always been a pretty loyal and forgiving person – often at the expense of my own personal growth and mental health, as I have extended the benefit of the doubt to many people, jobs and situations that didn’t truly deserve it.
Read More...Being Present for Kirsten
My dear friend Kirsten was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia following our sophomore year of college. While others were going about their lives studying, attending sporting events and parties, Kirsten was entering the fight of her life: for her life.
Read More...The Cancer Patient: Behind the Emoji
Every morning, I wake up and scroll through Instagram to read the stories posted on The Cancer Patient (TCP) account. This account and online community has personally brought me laughter and comfort on my darkest days.
Read More...Here’s How I Shaved My Head
I’m out to prove a point, btw, that what YOU read, see, hear about cancer is a load of shit. People posing triumphantly. Ringing a bell. Surrounded by family and friends. It’s a production.
Read More...Being Present: How My Daughter’s Experience Inspired Us To Improve Support For Young Adults with Cancer
As I sat in my daughter Kirsten’s hospital room one afternoon in August of 2015, I looked across at her to see the sun shining on her face through the window.
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