Category: Survivor Stories
A Cancer Survivor Shares: Howard’s Story
In early April 2009 I first noticed a lesion on the floor of my mouth midway between the base of my tongue and my front teeth. I was 65-years-old and had enjoyed exceptionally good health which allowed me to avoid medical doctors like the plague because they scared me. I had, however, recently been diagnosed…
Michael’s Story
I’ll never forget the doctor looking up at me and saying two words, “cancer” & “chemo.” These were words that were told only to other people, not me. Feeling rundown, lethargic, short of breath, bruising very easily, my mouth full of sores and my skin tone very pale, at the age of 48, I was…
A Cancer Survivor Shares: Brenda’s Story
Breast cancer was not part of my plan. I am blessed with a husband and stepson whom I love and adore, and they love me. Before my diagnosis, we’d just bought property in the Texas Hill Country, were designing a house and looking forward to a new chapter in our lives. I was the girl…
A Cancer Survivor Shares: Jenee’s Story
I love the term “survivor.” It means so much to me because I am so grateful to be alive. Being diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) at age 32 was certainly a shock. I’d never known any one of my peers to receive such a diagnosis. I knew people whose moms had breast cancer, but…
A Cancer Survivor Shares: Kim’s Story
March 14, 1992 – at the ripe old age of 35, I was marrying the love of my life. Three years later I was on the surgery room table having a malignant tumor removed. Not exactly what a girl’s expectations are for celebrating an anniversary. My ‘cancer walk’ began on Thursday March 9 when I…
A Cancer Survivor Shares: Chandler’s Story
I had just turned 15, it was the end of my freshman year of high school and I was enjoying being the shortstop for my softball team, when I began to get tired easily. My coach, mom and others were telling me to hustle and give 110%; they didn’t know I was really doing my…
Kristina’s Story
October 21, 2002 was the day cancer knocked on my door. I was 39 years-old, happily married to my college sweetheart, and a mother of two beautiful daughters. We had recently moved to Austin from Houston and were busy settling into our new home. I had decided to go back to work part-time, my husband…
THE FAMILY’S BUSINESS
Candy Schiller on intuition, advocacy, and thyroid cancer But who will raise my daughter? And my husband? Candy Schiller remembers that cold jolt of maternal terror with a tearful laugh. The Schillers are close; an earnest, modern-day version of the all-American nuclear family. In the moments following her diagnosis with thyroid cancer, Candy’s thoughts were…
A Cancer Survivor Shares: Teresa’s Story
I walk into the building past the doorman, who no longer asks me for my identification. I am a familiar face. We both know my destination. It is always the same: the fifth floor. I give wave and say “Dr. Stubblefield of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Rehabilitation Center.” The doorman nods his head with a slight smile…
Alex’s Story
In the fall of 2004, I was beginning my junior year at Texas Tech University. I was on track to graduate in August of 2005 and had plans to attend graduate school. During the first semester, I noticed a knot on the back of my head while watching a movie with my mom (she was…