Today is National Cancer Survivors Day and its my 4th celebrating as a cancer survivor. In the grand scheme of things, I suppose I’m still relatively new at this, but I feel like a veteran with the massive amount of spiritual and emotional growth I’ve gone through since my diagnosis. Its funny how time canContinue reading “What Does it Mean to Be a Survivor?”
Tag Archives: cancer
Reminiscing on Death
It’s an odd feeling to look back at myself 4 years ago, just a few months shy of my first Rebirthday, and remember how hard the Summer months used to hit. The sounds of the crickets and the spring peepers would churn up a dark feeling of dread in the depths of my gut. InContinue reading “Reminiscing on Death”
Body-ody-ody
Does anyone else get a song stuck in their head and then have it there the entirety of writing their blog post? No? Just me? Ok then. . . I posed a question yesterday for the members of my survivorship Facebook group, and I thought I’d answer it here because I have lots to sayContinue reading “Body-ody-ody”
Do The Big, Scary Things
A few months ago I submitted my story for my university’s inaugural Nurse Story Slam. The theme was “Finding Joy Through Adversity” and I thought well, hell. I know a thing or two about this… However, I didn’t think I’d honestly be chosen to tell my story. I mean, lots of nurses have amazing storiesContinue reading “Do The Big, Scary Things”
Permission to Live
Today I attended the beautiful, heart-breaking funeral of a fellow young adult with cancer. I don’t know what to write, because everything I put down sounds selfish to me. But, I guess that’s the nature of Survivor’s Guilt. So. . . I guess I’ll try to write without overthinking how it sounds and just letContinue reading “Permission to Live”
Rebirth
I’ve spent almost the last 3 years mourning my old self, lamenting the past. I think a lot of people do this, whether or not they’ve faced cancer or another life-altering trauma. I believe it’s a form of anxious attachment to perceived comfort and stability; we feel safe in the known, even if the knownContinue reading “Rebirth”
Summertime Sadness
Ah, Summer. The warm air. Crickets chirping. Beach trips. Family vacations. Cookouts. A sense of inexplicable depression and dread. Record screech Wait, what? This time two years ago I was discovering myself and learning to accept myself. I was getting into working out more, had met a really great guy, my son had just finishedContinue reading “Summertime Sadness”
Looking a Gift Horse Squarely in the Mouth
Cancer survivorship is complicated. Every single day is a gift to be met with open arms. Except it’s a gift from your 97-year-old Great Aunt Edna who thinks you’re still 7 and love Pepto-Bismol pink wool turtleneck sweaters with cows sewn on the front. And it’s the only thing you can wear for the restContinue reading “Looking a Gift Horse Squarely in the Mouth”
A Eulogy to My Former Self
Today I miss her. I miss her smile. I miss her sarcasm and how she would sit outside on Summer evenings and savor a glass of sweet wine. I miss her love of spicy food and trying new things and pushing the limits of her physical capabilities. I even miss her naivete. Sometimes I especiallyContinue reading “A Eulogy to My Former Self”
Out of the Darkness Comes the Light
Sometimes when I’m feeling particularly emotional, I just start writing. This came to me a few days ago when I was feeling down about post-treatment life. One thing I find so amazing about creative writing is it almost always leads me to the mindset shift I need to pull myself out of the darkness. ItContinue reading “Out of the Darkness Comes the Light”
One Life, One Chance 