//Abby Reed//

What has Cancer done for you?

[whatcancercando]

//Final Thought//

This project has been the best thing, to date, that I have done during my career as a nursing student. The stories I have heard and read will stick with me for a lifetime. I feel so blessed to be able to share what I have found across the web. During research for the project, I made a promise to myself. This summer I will be looking into volunteering in some sort of oncology unit. I am not sure how I will accomplish this, but I am determined to find out. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to present my findings. I hope these stories have inspired you as much as they have for me. With love, Abby Reed.

[whatcancercando]

Throughout the research process, i have noticed a trend. I came into this project hoping I was going to find some positive experiences from cancer survivors. What I wasn’t expecting was that every patient or survivors story I came across was taught something from cancer. It surprised me. When people talk of cancer, people grow quiet. Nobody really wants to talk about it. However, to the people that did share their stories, I am forever grateful. They thanked cancer for teaching them many things, and I would like to take a moment to thank the fighters for teaching me something as well.

[whatcancercando]

When Zac Gossage was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, his buddy Vincent Butterfield wanted to help. Vincent learned as much as he could about the cancer and decided he needed to do something to help. He noticed how expensive treatments are, so he sold scarves at $15 a pop and gave every cent to Zac. He also knew that Zac was going to lose his hair so Vincent shaved his head so that his friend would not be alone. Cancer taught Vincent to be a cancer advocate (at such a young age), but more importantly, it taught him what it means to be a good friend.

[whatcancercando]

//Little Superheroes//

Ann Graham was a patient at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center located in New York. As a patient herself, she was taught something amazing from a little boy named Sam. Most women, and sometimes men, will complain about getting older, however, Sam just wanted to turn 12. It truly breaks my heart to know how awful we “healthy” people live. Children, with the difficulty of cancer, just want to grow up, they want to be outside, and they just want to be normal. We, as adults, should think about this next time we want to complain that it is too hot outside or how old we feel. Some people do not get the chance.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/21/health/irpt-little-superheroes-ann-graham/

[whatcancercando]

//A Letter to Cancer//

Dear Cancer is a funny and tear jerking place where patients and survivors alike post their “letters” to cancer. They really let loose and tell cancer what is really on their mind. You never know what you are going to read!

http://www.ihadcancer.com/dear-cancer

[whatcancercando]

You folks all remember Allie’s story? Here she is again with a message! Now, many people learn from cancer to be happy, to love one day at a time, or to have hope. Allie learned all of this plus she learned to trust the Lord more so than she ever had before. She learned to lay her life at His feet and say, okay God, what's next? As a struggling Christian myself, I can learn a great deal from this miraculous woman. Cancer dealt her an ugly hand, yet her unfailing love our Savior and the faith that she had was unmatched. Everyone can learn a little  somethjng from Allie, and I pray that you do. 

[whatcancercando]

//I Had Cancer//

I spent a very long time going over this blog. So many people have shared so many stories and it was hard to just read one. For anyone that is going through cancer or knows someone who had it, this is a beautiful place to turn to to find answers and just to feel connected to people who have gone through the same thing you might have gone through. I could not possibly choose one blog post to focus on, because every single post is about something cancer has taught them or currently teaching. One post I remembe reading was of a gentleman who owed his life to cancer. He learned to eat right and gained his life back. My previous posts just talk about the extremely positive things that cancer has taught the survivors, this blog covers everything. It talks about survivors guilt and how the power of meditation helps. This is one blog you can't just read one story, you'll want to rad them all.

http://www.ihadcancer.com/h3-blog

[whatcancercando]

Before reviewing this video, I thought that these survivors would say "dear cancer, you suck.” However, these folks were actually thanking cancer and saying that it actually empowered them. What a beautiful thing to come out of a life experience like that and to actually thank the very thing that could have killed them. 

[whatcancercando]

//15 things...//

This website talks about the 15 things that cancer has taught many patients. These lessons can be used on an everyday basis by everyone. I have always sweated the small things and taken things for granted and I can honestly say that after reading the lessons and the testimonials, I will change.

https://www.whatnext.com/blog/posts/15-things-that-cancer-taught-me

[whatcancercando]

I look at my cancer journey as a gift: it made me slow down and realize the important things in life and taught me to not sweat the small stuff.

Olivia Newton-John 

[whatcancercando]

I mentioned earlier that I was affected by cancer. My grandmother was diagnosed 7 years ago with breast cancer. She was given only a year to live, yet my warrior of a gram beat that and lived another 6 years. It was only last year that she could fight no longer and as she said, God needed her more than we did. When I was first told of her diagnosis, I was lost and confused. I didnt know much about the cancer and I wanted to know more. During research, I came across this poem, and to this day, it still brings me to tears. 

[whatcancercando]

//Unwrapping the Gift of Life//

Laura Brown is a cancer survivor. She shares her story from childhood, when she was 8 years old, and she explains a great lesson that her mother taught her. Being thiat it was mothers day yesterday, I found this perfect. One mother taught her very sick daughter that life is a present(no, not a box of chocolates) and should be treated as such. 

http://www.stjude.org/stjude/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=dcf83390e8fc2310VgnVCM100000290115acRCRD&vgnextchannel=8716133e982bb110VgnVCM1000001e0215acRCRD

[whatcancercando]

//Being a Cancer Advocate//

This podcast, from Cancer.net, talks about how to become a cancer advocate. It's an empowering thing to help others by educating the public, just being support and by raising money to help fund the research. For those that want to help but are not sure where to start, this podcast explains how you can help!

http://www.cancer.net/sites/cancer.net/files/being_a_cancer_advocate.mp3

[whatcancercando]

Alright, this girl is absolutely amazing. Riley Lizz is just an everyday girl. Just from watching her videos, I can tell that she has a great sense of humor and is very honest. She has learned so much in the short amount of life she has lived so far, that even adults who are 40 or even 50 might not have learned. She is an inspiration to all ages. She will make you appreciate the little things, like hair.

[whatcancercando]

//Dancing with Cancer//

Jill, a blogger and current cancer patient, has created a blog about living with the everyday struggles of pain, aches and weariness that cancer brings with it. She posts pictures of the different treatments she endures, medical scans, and posts daily updates on how she is feeling.

http://jillscancerjourney.blogspot.com/

[whatcancercando]

Cancer didn't bring me to my knees, it brought me to my feet.

Michael Douglas; actor and survivor of throat cancer

[whatcancercando]

//Journey of Hope//

I love the raw story of her journey through the highs and lows of cancer. She was given a small chance of survival yet beat the percentage. She is a strong survivor and was taught many lessons along the way that she now shares with others.

http://www.ourjourneyofhope.com/general-resources/lessons-cancer-taught-me/