Tag Archives: healthcare

My Journey Starts Here

The vast majority of traditional oncologists automatically label Stage IV Cancer as “terminal,” because of the lack of consistent medical proof that current standards of care would cure such an individual of cancer. What those…

Forgiveness & Thriving

It’s my 30th birthday and I’m finally here, sitting on this old patient table waiting for the surgeon. It’s already been years of waiting just to left alone to wait a littler longer. I grow restless and begin touching various medical…

Matthew Strother

I am a dual-citizen of America and New Zealand. Pre-diagnosis I was living what felt like a well-balanced life in Brooklyn, New York. I spent half the week working as a private tutor for high schoolers, teaching kids grammar, the art of the essay, and some smatterings of history, French, and German. The other half of the week, I pursued my own reading and writing projects. For leisure, there was some CrossFit, some yoga, haunting natural wine bars, and highly competitive board game nights with friends.

chelsey gomez

Prior to being diagnosed the first time I was a 28 year old mother to a 2 year old. I was working full time and trying to juggle everything. I was a workaholic to a point and at one time even worked 60-70 hours a week. I remember thinking I didn’t have time to be sick… 

Katy Smith

Hello Thrivrs! I’m Katy. I live in Albany, NY. I’m a chemo nurse and a chemo patient. I love being outdoors, hiking and kayaking, reading, and baking fancy pastries. I’d really like a dog and some sheep someday, but for now I live in an apartment in the city.

Jordan Millar

Prior to my son’s diagnosis, I was an active health-conscious chiropractor who loves hiking, nature, animals, and travelling. Then cancer hit our family when my son was diagnosed with leukemia at age 3. I also had an 11 month old daughter who was still nursing. We went through 3.5 years of chemotherapy and lumbar punctures for him which was extremely stressful and heartbreaking to see your child go through that and wonder if he was going to survive. He had been off treatment for about 18 months, when I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer at age 39. So pre-diagnosis I had two small children while dealing with childhood cancer. I felt like I was just getting my life back together after a stressful 3.5 years of being a cancer mama to my son.

Stephanie O’Rourke

My name is Stephanie, I am 35 and I work as a bookstore manager at a local college. Before I was diagnosed, I was just your typical adult who had no idea what they wanted to be when they grew up. Pre-cancer and pre-pandemic (COVID-19) I would often just spend my days working and chilling at home. Seeing friends and family when I could, nothing too awfully exciting.