cancer

Breast Cancer Student- Carolina

Breast Cancer Student- Carolina

“I have used social media to tell my friends instead of having to call them. I think this is because I really thought that since I tested negative for the BRCA1&2 genes and had checkups since I was 30 because of my mom’s own breast cancer history I was in the clear. “

Tenured Breast Cancer Student- Jeanine

Tenured Breast Cancer Student- Jeanine

“I had never, ever, in my deepest of life’s depression, considered suicide. My very first chemo dose in 2017, the steroids hit me so bad, I was refusing to go back. I was able to look my (at the time) four year old right in the eye and think she was better off without me. I’d never been in that spot before, or even remotely considered it, and it was educational. I went back and immediately talked about how it felt and we cut the steroids. Everything after that. . . . was kind of bearable. I learned to accept how I cope with things, that showing off and feeling awful are ok, and so long as I get up the next day, I might as well do it again. What else am I doing, anyway?”

Tenured Breast Cancer Student- Noelle

Tenured Breast Cancer Student- Noelle

"I don’t like the term 'fighter' or 'war' or 'she lost her battle'. I have cancer. It is part of me. To say it’s a war implies I am at war with myself. And I am not.Cancer is like a passenger in a car. Sometimes it sits quietly in the back, sometimes it back seat drives, sometimes it the passenger, and sometimes it’s the driver. No matter what, I feel like I’m driving on flat tires, but at least I’m moving forward.
Cancer might kill me some day- But NOT TODAY!”

Ovarian Cancer Student- Samantha

Ovarian Cancer Student- Samantha

"When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, it came out that I had an aunt (my dad's sister) who died of ovarian cancer, but they kept calling it "stomach cancer". If you have anyone in your family who talks about "stomach cancer", you may want to ask more questions, because it could really be a gynecological cancer that they are covering up.

Also, my uncle died of lung cancer, which really ended up being lymphoma that went into his lymph nodes. When it comes to family history, depending on your family's culture, there can be "taboo" issues. It’s so important to get past those taboo topics to get the information that you need for your health."

Tenured Breast Cancer Student- Lianne

Tenured Breast Cancer Student- Lianne

"I try to create awareness for my stage 4 diagnosis that it’s chronic. I am not going anywhere the coming years, that’s what I hope and feel... And for me to stay here even longer, I need people to donate for more research to find a cure. I wish people understood that currently there is no cure. I believe in miracles, and I always say out loud for the universe to hear it; There will be a cure for me. I will celebrate my 50th birthday!"

Tenured Breast Cancer Student- Estela

Tenured Breast Cancer Student- Estela

"Eighteen years ago, I was diagnosed with this disease and have had terrible moments. But it has also taught me to enjoy today, travel with my mother, and travel with my husband. I enjoy spending time with my son and my beautiful granddaughter, I share lunches dinners, outings with my friends."

Ovarian Cancer Student- Natalie

Ovarian Cancer Student- Natalie

"I wish there was a voice for women with Ovarian Cancer. Every foundation we have contacted tells us that they do not support Ovarian Cancer, only Breast Cancer. Do they know that Ovarian Cancer kills 80% of women!? There needs to be more awareness so if my little story can help, I want to help!"

Thyroid Cancer Student- Rebecca Hetherington

Thyroid Cancer Student- Rebecca Hetherington

"I honestly think in some ways having cancer makes you appreciate things so much more, especially at a young age. You learn to take nothing for granted and accept what you love and bin what you don't."

Tenured Breast Cancer Student- Chiara D'Agostino

Tenured Breast Cancer Student- Chiara D'Agostino

"I learned that I don’t need mounds on my chest to feel like a woman, that I’m even more resilient than I ever thought I was, and that, at least at this moment in time, I’m leaning towards not being afraid of dying."