When finding ways to de-stress and care for myself, I find that reading, movies, writing, being active, and connecting with others are incredibly helpful. Reading and watching movies allow me to shut my brain off and just relax and enjoy the content in front of me. Before I go to bed, I put my phone away and read a chapter of a book to relax my eyes after staring at screens all day. I have recently taken up journaling which really helps center me and keep me focused throughout the day. I am a naturally active person, and find exercise especially cardio or lifting weights is a great way to focus on one activity and forget about all the other stressors in life. Lastly, I love spending time with my friends and loved ones. I think it is incredibly important to have a strong social life because my friends always allow me to be my truest self when I am around them.

I go to doctors and get bloodwork done annually to make sure I am still doing okay. I put more effort into avoiding things that could potentially cause cancer, and I put extra effort into trying to exercise and eat healthy. Reading books about cancer helped me to connect with my experience, and I have done a lot of journaling and writing over the years. Whenever possible, I try to connect with other survivors.

Our daughter developed many fears from cancer treatment. After treatment, we went as a family to a couple of retreats that were life-changing. They helped our daughter face these fears and try to conquer them. We strive to try new things and go on adventures, as there was a time we didn’t think we would be able to do any of these things as a complete family again. Our daughter still works constantly on her mental health, but she also tries everything once because she knows some people do not get opportunities to begin again or to continue in the gift of life.

Now as a 26-year-old, I still regularly talk to my therapist and take prescribed medication for my anxiety and depression. Although a constant work-in-progress, I have made great improvements to my mental health and wellbeing. I now have the professional and personal support I need to continue this progress and to lean on if/when things get more severe. My parents, too, have made great strides in their respect understanding of mental illness and are great supporters of the work I continue to do on my mental health.

I have felt it is pretty easy to network with other childhood cancer survivors. There are Facebook groups and online forums that are easily accessible. Additionally, the network I have from knowing people through treatment has been extraordinarily steady, and the people I have forged a bond with are some of my best friends today. Staying involved in things like camps for kids with cancer or other events where I can help as a survivor has led me to some incredible people who have made an impact on my life. From my experience, this brotherhood/sisterhood of survivors is a strong one, and the support system is truly second to none.

Participating with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, raising funds and awareness for kids with cancer, I met loads of like-minded people who had been through similar experiences or were intimately connected with the cause in some other way. I’m fortunate now to have a career in nonprofit fundraising for cancer and found my way back to Alex’s Lemonade Stand as a full-time employee. I couldn’t be happier. As an adult, coworkers and employers also become a part of your support network.

Lastly, my parents were and continue to be my greatest support and champions. They have stuck by my side through it all, and I know they always will.