As a survivor, you will see you are not alone in your life beyond cancer. There are many survivors who continue to experience similar challenges and triumphs. Their words can be a form of support to you.

How do you choose to share/ or not share your experience with others now?

Jeannette

For many years I really didn't like to tell anyone I knew didn't already know that I had cancer. I felt like it made me different in their eyes as well as my own. I already felt different having scars, not being able to have children, having had cancer, etc. So, I pretty much avoided the topic because I didn't want to BE different. I think a lot of this was do to the insecurities of being an adolescent and young adult. However, ever since hearing the comedian at the last Kids With Courage Reunion speak about how silly it is the way many people respond when you tell them, and the fact that we should be proud of this... that we fought it and made it, I've openly told people I had cancer. It used to be awkward when the subject of not having children yet came up, or at other times when it was natural for me to say I had cancer for what ever reason, and I stayed away from the subject. Now I am no longer scared of feeling different and just laugh inside at how many different ways people react. I truly am proud that I survived cancer. Why not?!!

Leukemia (AML)
Diagnosed at 12
Now 27