Nearly 100 patients have contributed their stories, which will be shared here over time. You can read them all, or use the word cloud to select patients with a particular type of cancer. Be sure to check back often to see more stories.
What’s your story? If you would like to share your story, please provide your email and we will be in touch.
And you can read my story here.
Paoola
Posted in: Thyroid A busy tech executive who traveled all the time, Paoola didn't understand what an acquaintance meant when he asked, "Does your soul ever catch up to you?" until a cancer diagnosis shook her to the core.
Linda
Posted in: Gynecologic Linda found that the lessons she learned early in life helped her fight challenges later with addiction and recurrent ovarian cancer
Mary K
Posted in: Gynecologic Test anxiety and fear of recurrence kept Mary on edge for years, but thankfully the intensity of the experience faded with time.
Leslie
Posted in: Breast How do you map out your future when cancer has suddenly thrown your present into confusion?
Kim
Posted in: Breast Kim discovered that the fallout from a breast cancer diagnosis can go beyond the physical to impact emotional growth and precipitate so much change.
Robin S
Posted in: Breast Robin found that her breast cancer diagnosis unleashed complex emotions and lasting changes she continues to face.
Rebecca
Posted in: Breast Rebecca found recovery to offer as many surprising challenges as the cancer itself, but eventually learned to accept that she would be okay.
Michelle
Posted in: Breast After a day of falling apart, Michelle switched into autopilot to to get through cancer with her sense of self intact.
Toni
Posted in: Gynecologic Life is messy, especially when you are caring for 10 cats, three rabbits and a sick husband in the middle of your own cancer.
Lulu
Posted in: Breast When you are as used to hard work as Lulu, you find the strength to get through cancer, one step at a time.
Damian
Posted in: Bone Recovery from cancer was only the first step, then Damian had to learn to walk again, and recover from the fall-out.
Ruthie
Posted in: Brain Nine surgeries over less than seven years for recurrent brain cancer hasn't diminished Ruthie's spirit, even if it has changed her world.
Cathy
Posted in: Breast Hair loss and nausea turned out to be the least of Cathy's worries after breast cancer treatment caused some unexpected side effects.
Cass
Posted in: Breast Breast cancer didn't surprise Cass, but the side effects and after effects of treatment surely did!
Deborah
Posted in: Gynecologic When she lost over 100 pounds, Deborah wondered, was it the dieting or was she dying from her recurrent cancer?
Patricia
Posted in: Breast, Lung Don't panic until you have to panic is a good approach when you and your husband get cancer diagnoses on the same day.
Crystal
Posted in: Breast From being a control freak to accepting that "this was my reality" Crystal found cancer brought many adjustments.
Terri
Posted in: Breast Emerging from the cancer vortex, Terri uses her recurrence to educate and advocate for others on treatment and reconstruction options.
Jillian
Posted in: Breast There is nothing glamorous about cancer, but Jillian found a way to look and feel glamorous despite the disease and its treatment.
Chanda
Posted in: Breast Chanda was shell shocked when she heard the diagnosis, but felt lucky that the only thing she had to worry about was getting well.
Traci
Posted in: Breast Traci bears the weight of her metastatic breast cancer by baring it all to help others.
Charlotte
Posted in: Breast With humor and loving support, Charlotte learned she was stronger than she had imagined.
Tony
Posted in: Bladder/Kidney, Prostate Denial, and the quiet support of those he loves, helped Tony cope with three cancer scares.
Fatima
Posted in: Gynecologic For Fatima, a cancer diagnosis changed her sense of everything in a matter of hours.
Larry
Posted in: Bladder/Kidney Getting through cancer was a process. But for Larry, the anxiety lingers even if the process is over.
Robin
Posted in: Gynecologic For an optimist like Robin, it's impossible to imagine a bad outcome, so even cancer is "just a blip."
Brenda
Posted in: Gynecologic BRCA positive status and a prior abortion complicate Brenda's cancer anxiety.
Judy
Posted in: Breast Empathy and caring support make coping a little easier when the diagnosis is cancer.
David
Posted in: Hematologic Getting married in the hospital was never in David's plans, but neither was AML.
Sue
Posted in: Breast Sometimes, even the expected is unexpected—the what and the when can be the surprise.
Terri
Posted in: Breast Devastated but determined, Terri turned cancer's limitations into a world of possibilities for herself and others.
Thao/Thảo
Posted in: Hematologic, Huyết học Is is worth risking a life to start a new one? Có đáng để mạo hiểm một tính mạng để bắt đầu cho một sự sống mới?
Pamela
Posted in: Gynecologic Five recurrences, 88 chemo treatments and 19 million radioactive particles, but who's counting?
Catherine
Posted in: Breast Neither professional expertise nor prior experience prepared Catherine for the anxiety of her diagnosis.
Diane
Posted in: Gynecologic Strong and self-reliant, Diane thought she could cope with anything on her own, but not cancer...
Jim
Posted in: Thyroid When advanced cancer turned up in his lungs, Jim turned to his faith to help him address his disappointment and anger.
Eliot
Posted in: Melanoma Immunotherapy dispatched Eliot's cancer, but not the emotional enormity of the diagnosis.
Mary
Posted in: Hematologic Young, fit, healthy, Mary was ready for life's next adventure, until cancer made other plans for her.
Rick
Posted in: Hematologic A swollen toe and a sore rib turned out to be warning signs of cancer for Rick.
Elyse
Posted in: Hematologic Elyse felt powerless against the isolation of cancer, until she brought her camera to treatments.
Rich
Posted in: Hematologic Two cancers, three failed treatments and an emergency helicopter ride— Rich is pleased to be alive.
Truus
Posted in: Breast Truus, who was used to the dangers of a war zone, found cancer much more traumatic.
Pramod
Posted in: Hematologic A devastating blow became congratulations for Pramod when he learned he had CML.
Christina
Posted in: Bladder/Kidney, Breast A strong support network and years of meditation helped Christina deal with the terror of a second cancer.
Susie
Posted in: Gastrointestinal Susie had completed grueling treatment for anal cancer and was ready to declare victory, until she heard the doctor say, “Not so fast!”
Nancy
Posted in: Gynecologic After spending her anniversary in the hospital, the uncertainty of slow-growing cancer keeps Nancy on edge.
Steve
Posted in: Gastrointestinal Steve's first cancer helped him prepare for his second trial:stage 4 colon cancer.
Jane
Posted in: Gynecologic A near death experience is preparation for cancer, but not its side effects.
Param
Posted in: Hematologic Param turned adversity into advocacy after his diagnosis with leukemia.
Eric
Posted in: Melanoma Eric battled with feelings of isolation and depression along with his melanoma
Angela
Posted in: Bladder/Kidney, Gynecologic Battling multiple cancers over 15 years, Angela can handle whatever the news brings.
Brian
Posted in: Bladder/Kidney Tackling bladder cancer renewed Brian's self esteem and changed his life.
Michael
Posted in: Gastrointestinal Michael used Al-Anon tools to help him cope with recurrent colon cancer.
Alan
Posted in: Pancreatic Denial is a powerful strategy for dealing with an overwhelming diagnosis.
Fran
Posted in: Bladder/Kidney, Breast, Hematologic Four cancers later, she's still playing tennis, but has so many questions...
