Talk about caner

Stories from cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members

In late 2020, we were all stuck at home, wondering when life would return to "normal" again. Everything seemed to be on a standstill yet falling apart at the same time. It was maddening... but it also nudged me to look for more.

I didn't know what I was looking for at the time, but I knew I hadn't slowed down to process my father's death from 3 years prior, and there was some work to do. I decided - like so many others at the time - to picked up the amateur microphone and invited strangers to share their cancer experiences with me.

I didn't realize I was asking for gifts from the 45 strangers, but that's what they gave me. Their stories guided me down a path, giving me clues for things I hadn't thought to look for.

In the end, I learned that there is no one way to think about cancer and what it means for living and dying. And that, as strange as it may sound, brought me peace.

May you find the unexpected in their stories.

- Serena