Jane Biehl Ph.D.

I’m happy to be alive and thankful for all that I have, but cancer and the COVID-19 pandemic has taken so much from me, physically, emotionally and financially.

My oncology team works together to take great care of myself and other patients.

A book I read made me realize the importance of positive thinking — even when going through cancer.

Muscle aches related to cancer treatment were having a major impact on my life.

My family is scattered throughout the country, so I often rely on friends to lend a helping hand.

As a cancer survivor, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect me and force me to miss activities — and people — I love.

While the large cancer hospitals do amazing work, I am extremely grateful for my local cancer center.

Despite cancer and the COVID-19 pandemic, my dog helps me find joy in the little things in life.

As a cancer survivor, I can relate to the lyrics of the Beatles’ song, “Let it Be.”

Cancer attacks your body and puts you in a very vulnerable position.

Of course, I want the best cancer care, but I realized that the beauty of the environment where I get it is important too.

My new cancer treatment hardly has any side effects, making me wonder if researchers are focusing on making their drugs more tolerable for patients.

The last year was tough, but with a new cancer treatment center and other opportunities, I’m going to sit tight and bloom where planted.

Cancer and COVID-19 took away my yearly “benchmarks” of time, when I fly out to see friends and family.

I must remember to be kind to myself, and not compare my current abilities to my pre-cancer days.

The decision to be treated locally or at a large research center can be a difficult one, but I am lucky enough to have both.

I’ve experienced fatigue from cancer before but contracting COVID-19 took it to a whole other level.

My worst fear came true: I was diagnosed with COVID-19 while going through cancer. Now I live my life day by day.

Cancer is a dangerous disease that comes with many difficult decisions, making me constantly feel like I’m living on the edge.

Well-meaning comments can come off as bothersome — or even hurtful — to me as I navigate cancer.

Early 2022 was difficult for me, with the death of my dog and some difficult cancer-related situations, but thankfully, I know wonderful people who helped pull me out of my slump.

Going through the COVID-19 pandemic with a cancer diagnosis made me feel jittery, and I know that many others felt the same way, too.

I have come to notice striking similarities between the variants of COVID-19 and the countless genetic mutations found in the cancer world, and all I can continue to do is hope for the future.

I think all of us feel abandoned somewhat when we lose an oncologist, and other cancer survivors have expressed these same emotions to me. But I have to realize that a piece of her will always be with me until the day I pass.

As I remember my wonderful service dog, Sita, and honor her life, I want her to know that she not only taught me how to live, but also how to die gracefully.

A cancer survivor expresses the fears many survivors face with another year of staring down the COVID-19 pandemic.

A cancer survivor discusses the hurtful words people say to cancer survivors and why they sting.

A cancer survivor explains how she feels like she’s living inside a nightmare with new COVID-19 variants appearing all the time, making her unable to see her family over the holidays.

Each time a new COVID-19 variant takes the world by storm, cancer survivors struggle to cope with the resulting exhaustion and fear, one survivor explains.

A cancer survivor talks about how she has learned to appreciate the little things in her daily life.