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

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 experience with cancer.

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Supergirl

by JV January 13, 2022

It’s Tuesday, and I’m scheduled for another chemo day. I look excited, happy and hopeful, which shows in my cute outfits for chemo, how I carry a lot of energy filming and taking pictures trying to document the entire experience, and how I just look like an innocent lady who has no idea how cruel the world can be since I am the youngest patient in the room. 

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What To Expect When You’re Not Expecting Cancer

by Sheena Harris-Williams January 11, 2022

Dear self that walked into the ER with abdominal pains not expecting the outcome to be cancer: First, I need you to take a deep breath. Exhale. Take another deep breath. Exhale.

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Mama Tried

by Sheena Harris-Williams November 19, 2021

This letter is written to my sweet baby boy / Or would you have been a girl? / Honestly it doesn’t matter, I would have loved you either way / I would have loved every inch of you / From the top of your curly brown hair / Down to the bottom of your little brown feet

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Apology from a Bridge

by Ruth Arnold November 9, 2021

I glanced at the text. The words “liver”, “enzyme” and “scans” popped out at me, and I wondered what they meant. In a nanosecond I thought back to my Thursday blood draw where my oncologist told me that my liver enzyme results had not come back yet.

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Sorry, I Can’t Talk Right Now, I’m Grieving…

by Sheena Harris-Williams November 4, 2021

On June 2nd, 2020, I received my cancer diagnosis. I have stage IV, high grade pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. From that day on it was time to say goodbye to my old life, and start my new life with a cancer I had never even heard of. 

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The Loss of My Grandfather

by Danielle Nicosia November 1, 2021

In May 2011, at the age of 71, my Grandfather John was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer. I remember this day like it was yesterday. It was a sunny and warm day. My grandparents came to my parents’ house to tell us about the news after his doctor’s appointment. He was told he had to start multiple rounds of chemotherapy as soon as possible.

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Computers Crash and So Do We

by Ruth Kavanagh October 29, 2021

“Did You Back-Up Your Computer?” For those of us who were of age to watch “Sex In the City” when it originally aired, I hope you can appreciate this reference. For the younger generations watching the reruns, you may or may not appreciate it quite as much. Synopsis of the episode: “My Motherboard, My Self” (season four, episode eight; originally aired 7/15/2001 – Wow, I feel old!) 

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One Hundred and Sixty Seven Pairs of Eyes

by Maggie Evans October 27, 2021

What are you afraid of? Is it snakes or spiders? Or maybe you’re like me. Maybe you aren’t afraid of an object. Maybe… just maybe it’s a feeling, an emotion – something that consumes your every thought. Maybe your fear is what other people might see.

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From Clomid to Chemo

by Sheena Harris-Williams October 25, 2021

One of the things I struggle with as a young adult with cancer is never having children. It’s depressing when you see friends and family having and raising children all around you. And you know you’ll never get to be part of that mommy club. Especially when you were already in the process of working on it.

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The Power of the Community

by Terlisa Sheppard October 20, 2021

My community of support has been a major factor within my breast cancer journey and has gotten me through many years. From the moment that I was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, over 22 years ago, to my first diagnosis with metastatic breast cancer just a couple years later, I have always had an army of support right there with me to help me throughout this journey.  

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