Survivorship

To deal with grade 3 astrocytoma, a type of brain cancer, Matt Newman turned to writing personal e-mails to his friends and family as a way of dealing with the challenges he was facing. He shares his insights on the life lessons he has learned.

Judy Pearson describes her personal fight with cancer, providing a historical perspective on the war on cancer, which was officially launched in 1971, when cancer was believed to be contagious, showing just how far we’ve come, with new types of cancer therapies leading the way.

Diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 3, Tiffany R. Easley learned the power of owning one’s story, detailing her powerful “SOAR” survivor mindset.

After being diagnosed with throat cancer, Ed Rossman kept in contact with others through the online CaringBridge service, remaining hopeful through music sessions and practicing a weekly mantra.

Neelam Shinde, a 2-time breast cancer survivor, reflects on the power of positive thinking and remembering that setbacks are integral parts of life.

Cancer survivor Nancy Litterman Howe, MS, CES, dissects the function of cancer rehabilitation and the different treatment options that can improve physical function for patients.

When Sandra Lewis found out she was a carrier of the BRCA2 gene mutation, she was determined to get informed. She learned to embrace the moment, focused on the facets of her life that she could control, and remembered to smile as part of healing.

As a part-time personal trainer and a veteran strength athlete with 16 years of competition, Patrick McNamee was shocked to hear that he had stage III rectal cancer, and joked with his oncologist that he was the healthiest guy with cancer around.

After her 2017 breast cancer diagnosis, Sheryle Cruse had to learn how to navigate other people’s expectations for good news, and how to carry the emotional burden of not knowing what to say to people looking for answers about her disease.

Annette McElhiney, PhD, notes the psychosocial needs of patients with cancer, survivors, and caregivers. As an ovarian cancer survivor, she describes the help provided by the recently launched “Steps Through Ovarian Cancer” program.

Breast cancer survivor Ginger Modiri stresses the importance of getting mammograms on time. To celebrate her 8-year anniversary of being cancer-free she organized a walk after the More than Pink Walk was cancelled because of COVID-19.