Jane Biehl Ph.D.

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.

A cancer survivor explains how the new treatments coming out for all types of cancer give her hope. “If we are diagnosed today, a cure or remission may come out next week or next month, or next year to give us additional time to live,” she writes.

A blood cancer survivor compares her journey to a rollercoaster and describes how she never knows what lies ahead.

A cancer survivor explains why she thinks so many people – especially cancer survivors – are so stressed right now and encourages them to share their emotions with others.

Sometimes cancer survivors do not realize how hard it is for other people to know what to say. We need to educate them!

A cancer survivor explains why each person experiences cancer differently – from side effects to treatments and more.

A cancer survivor describes how survivors can help face their fears by connecting with each other.

A cancer survivor describes the agony of experiencing side effects that never go away and how she lives with them.

A cancer survivor describes the mixed emotions she feels while in remission.

A cancer survivor writes about the ever-changing waves of grief.

A cancer survivor shares the valuable lessons she learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, almost six months after receiving her vaccination.

A woman in remission from her cancer ponders why the disease seemingly chooses to steal certain lives and spare others.

A cancer survivor describes how frustrating it can be to experience toxic positivity.

A cancer survivor recalls the scary moment she experienced what she thought was a new life-threatening side effect.

A cancer survivor explains how she is approaching her reentry into the world after COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.

A cancer survivor describes how oncology nurses have had a deep impact on her during treatment.

A cancer survivor explains how she applies the meaning of a book quote to life with cancer.

A cancer survivor explains how she finds time to be productive while dealing with exhaustion.

A cancer survivor explains how she prevents an overwhelming and exhausting amount of doctor appointments from spoiling her appreciation for life.