Linda Nielsen, RN, DNPc, AOCNP Hematology Oncology of Indiana PC Survivorship Linda Nielsen, RN, DNPc, AOCNP Hematology Oncology of Indiana PC

Cancer took everything away from me, I lost my job, my marriage, my friends, almost committed suicide, even my dentist said he couldn’t take care of me while I was getting treated for cancer. Everybody left me.

I don’t remember it being a journey-I remember anger, fatigue, couldn’t pay bills, trying to get kids off to school, cleaning up vomit, putting up with a grumpy husband, trying to work, visit hospital, feed animals, keep up with chores….

I feel flat (6 years out) I am not depressed, not anxious, I am happy, just don’t feel the same. My daughters think I am depressed but I am not. I just don’t have the emotions I used to have before I had cancer.

I go from 0-100 when I was told I had a skin cancer just like when I was told I had my breast cancer.

I don’t want to pick up the phone at work anymore I don’t want to pick up the phone at work anymore. They called me at work about my breast cancer, they called me at work about my kidney cancer. I wish they would quit calling me at work. Both were cured. Maybe you don’t want to mess with karma.

Should I tell my kids. Indolent lymphoma we have watched for 2 years Should I tell my kids? Indolent lymphoma we have watched for 2 years. Hasn’t told them yet. Her sister felt she should. She didn’t want it to become part of their life.

I was 10 years out and I get this call and my whole life changed I was 10 years out and I get this call and my whole life changed. I had to tell my husband and he just cried.

Patient not responding to third line therapy said I can’t do this again. I live with cancer daily. I can’t have a cancer free life.

Cancer diagnosis does not end your life but begins a new way of life-mother who lost daughter to liver cancer.

A 39 year old mom of 4 year old said she was so excited about the results of her exam that she started calling everybody even people she didn’t know.  

Survivorship gives you a grit and a purpose that no one else will ever understand and will be in awe of…. Continue to be an inspiration to others and speak loudly…