Be Loud! Sophie Foundation

Supporting Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients and Their Families at UNC Hospitals

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Teen reflections on having cancer

August 19, 2016 by Be Loud! Sophie

At the August 13th retreat, our group of teens compiled a list of the hardest things about having cancer, what helps, and what they would tell other newly diagnosed patients.  Check it out!

Hardest parts about having cancer as a teen:

  • Loss of privacy
  • Steroids
  • Unexpected things happening
  • Weakness
  • Loss of independence
  • Anticipation of bad/hard things
  • Over-protective parents
  • Boring
  • Side effects of treatment
  • Change in physical appearance
  • Isolation
  • Missing out on things your friends are doing

What helps:

  • Friends
  • Positive goals
  • Positive people in your life
  • Siblings that treat you the same as they treated you before you were diagnosed
  • Talk about things other than cancer
  • Health care providers that have a sense of humor, are understanding, flexible, and care about you as a person

Top 5 things I would tell another teenage cancer patient:

  1. Have a sense of humor
  2. It’s going to suck but you’ll get through it
  3. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel
  4. Get facts and information—be prepared!
  5. Find the good in your diagnosis—it can change your perspective and outlook on life

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-Sophie Steiner

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