JJ Singleton, Research Advocate at Fight Colorectal Cancer, adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivor, shared on LinkedIn:
“Chemo Round 187
I sit here and look around the infusion floor I’m the youngest here yet I know I’ve been here the longest, I’m the youngest yet the one other patients know about an come to ask advice to. I settle into my chair the premeds start going I feel the coolness of the fluids in my port and we are off.
It’s a routine that is hell, it’s a routine I never wanted and that I hate to do but I do it every 3 weeks because that is what I have to do to so I can show up so I can help others so I can fulfill a calling and a purpose in my life
Long term cancer treatment life is complicated.
- Some days I don’t look sick
- Most of the time you cant see the side effects that are impacting my life
- Ive lived in a hud housing apartment since 2018
- 10+ years of cancer and treatment has caused my views and beliefs to change
- Im still figuring out how to keep showing up without a end goal/date
Sometimes it looks like I’m enjoying this life especially when I’m traveling for advocacy: ‘I am but don’t get it confused though I’ve worked my ass off to be in a position to do those things.’
Long term treatment is full of many issues not many can understand or know about unless youve been in it. I embrace the position I’m in to help others to share my expertise and lived experience. I love doing what I do with the incredible people I get to do it with not damn it don’t make this part any easier.
But I’ll continue to show up to round 188, 200, 250 and beyond.
Chemo shirt a classic MTV from the good days.”
Other articles featuring JJ Singleton on OncoDaily.