Share Your Story

Now that I have completed my surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, I have decided to focus on one important part of my treatment and share my experience with you. Maybe I can reach the right people so that others won’t have to experience what I did.

While recovering from ovarian cancer and chemotherapy, I got it into my head that I needed a garden space. My garden represents not only my physical labor, but also my focus, which is on the future.

Being a part of a groundbreaking clinical trial put me on the path to recovery. I continue to eat healthy, exercise regularly and do my part to ensure my cancer does not return.

A poem about how the medical community has helped reduce cancer and save lives.

Through volunteer work and participating in the “Road to Recovery” program as a driver with the American Cancer Society, one survivor found the perfect outlet to cope with the emotional side of healing after chemo treatments.

An online ad prompted one survivor to reflect upon the question, "Do you have what it takes to be an astronaut?" At least one aspect of being an astronaut would be better than adapting to life after cancer: a debriefing is provided at the conclusion of the voyage.

Yes, some days are harder than others, even though my strength has been depleted, my courage has been renewed.

CURE magazine and other resources helped one survivor navigate diagnosis and beyond.

While the surgeon suggested I have a lumpectomy followed by radiation treatments, I had already made my decision. I requested a double mastectomy without any type of reconstruction. Why would I pursue such a radical alternative? In this post, I explain my choice.

There are many instances I could tell you about when and how God carried us through my son’s battle with testicular cancer. The right things happened at the most opportune times.

As I have gone through this cancer journey, I have realized that people don’t know what to say or do when a loved one has cancer. I can speak out on my firsthand experiences and offer some advice.

Music can help people tolerate and distract from emotional and physiological pain while going through cancer treatments and scans.

Creating more personal time tops the list of goals many people want to accomplish. With work time, partner or family time and social time all demanding our attention, we are constantly juggling our day-to-day responsibilities. “Me-time” allows us to de-stress, unwind and rejuvenate. Taking time for yourself allows you to renew, heal and create reserves of energy and peace.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care what race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality or even age you are. It takes no prisoners. And it certainly did not take me. I continue to remain resilient despite what I’ve been through and despite what still may be on the horizon.

Don’t let a terminal diagnosis get you down to the point where you stop living your life. Have an adventure, buy the shoes and eat the cake.

A letter to my chemo wig, Silvie, thanking her for the confidence, strength, courage and bravery that she helped me find during my cancer journey.

This cancer living inside of me has been life altering. On the outside you may think that things are not so bad. What you are not seeing is that my cancer is incurable.

Cancer can indeed be a numbers game, but I am no way just a statistic — no one is. This journey has given me a newfound perspective on life and the amazing work that Stand Up To Cancer does.

When I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, I envisioned myself in a galaxy far, far away. Just like any well-trained Jedi, I fought back when insurance denied my claim for doctor-recommended treatment.

What a force they were, those two daughters of ours: that little nine-year-old kid Valerie, gone from bone cancer and the more grown-up 37-year-old Stacy, cut off by breast cancer. When we talk of them, however, it is often with a slight grin.

When my oncologist wanted to start me on a standard treatment, I asked her why. She said some of her other patients had gotten it. She was basing my life on someone else’s results? This survivor decided to seek other opinions and became her own advocate.

Breast cancer was one of the best things that ever happened to me – and I never want it again. Now I am cancer-free and living a more fulfilling life than before the illness. Here are 10 insights and experiences from my cancer journey that continue to sustain me professionally and personally.

Only three short months after getting breast implants I would experience such severe and crippling symptoms that nearly cost me my life. This is not just another unsatisfactory online review.

I have stage 4 lung cancer and told I had 12-18 months to live. Little did I know they sent a biopsy off for genome testing which has given me six years so far. My life is incredibly imperfect, but I love every single minute of it.

A devoted husband and caregiver shares the poetry he wrote for his beloved wife, Mary Lee, after doctors gave her 18 to 36 months to live.

After treatment, this survivor was terrified of everyone and everything until her very wise doctor said, “I did not put you through all this for you to put yourself in a bubble – go live your life.” And she has… for 16 years and counting.

Four out of 100. That is the survival rate for stage 4 glioblastoma: four percent.