Survivorship Starts Now

 

My survivorship journey began in May 2016, when I was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer. I was a healthy 30 year old and newly married - cancer was not on my radar and was a huge shock to me and my entire network. Since then, I have been through chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, ending treatment in June 2017. 

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While I have mixed feelings about being called a "survivor," the concept of survivorship resonates deeply with me. Survivorship is often used to describe one's plan for continued medications, follow-up doctor appointments, and scans, but it is so much more than that. To me, survivorship is about tending to and advocating for your physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs so that you can live as fully and healthily as possible. It begins the day you are diagnosed with cancer and extends through the rest of your life. It also extends beyond the patient to his or her support system.

 

Survivorship looks different for everyone - there is not a one-size-fits-all approach or one right way to be a cancer survivor. I'm still figuring out what it means for me, so I created this blog to exploring topics related to survivorship through all phases of cancer - diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment. I also hope to share practical tips, guides, and resources. If you have any questions or topic requests, please share them with me below!