What does survivorship mean to you?

There is no one meaning to “Survivorship” in the process of living through cancer. It is a fluid word with multiple definitions based on that moment or that stage of the course. My first experience of cancer Survivorship was after I first learned from my x-ray that I had tumors consistent with Lymphoma. I survived that moment. I picked myself up, and made the decision to put my anger, sadness and fear as lesser emotions than my desire to fight. Survivorship.

Once treatment begins, the definition of Survivorship seems obvious: live. Live through the chemo, the radiation, the dangers of illness, the nausea, the weight loss, the pain. Endure the depression. Endure missing friends, school, sports, dances, normal life. But I know without a doubt I will live. I will endure. I will survive. I will do so by appreciating the good days and good moments. I will lean on my loved ones and allow them to care for me. I will cry when I’m sad. I will scream when I’m angry. I will be grateful to my nurses and doctors for the thousands of things they do for me so I will live. I will not lose myself or my positivity in this horrible process. Survivorship.

At this point, I am still receiving treatment. But I know what Survivorship will look like after I get my “In Remission” report card. Cancer will be gone from my body, but I am forever a different person, a better person. My understanding of what a body and mind can endure has changed. My appreciation for what really matters compared to what I thought  matters is new. The importance of cancer research, raising awareness, raising funds for research and helping others inflicted with this disease is now clear to me. I will have survived and it will become a passions in my life to contribute to the Survivorship of other cancer patients until this disease no longer impacts another person. Survivorship.