KATHERINE SHAUGHNESSY
From: Lake Forest, CA, USA
Member since: March 2008
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I am a: Survivor
Coping with...Ovarian Cancer
Date of Birth: 04/24/1990 Date diagnosed: 11/1998 Sex: Female

Prepare to Live Buddy: Yes
Contactable by Prepare to Live members: Yes
Email: irishmaiden88@cox.net
Alternate Email: thelionqueen_88@hotmail.com

01: How has cancer positively affected you: Cancer essentially prepared me for life much better than any lesson from a parent ever could. It sucks to have gone through everything, but it really has given me something to compare to when regular teen drama comes around.

Cause, really, is breaking up with a boyfriend worse than cancer?

02: What does "cancer" mean to you as a Young Adult: Good lord, uh, Cancer means a lot of things to me. It's a deadly disease that has taken alot of good people I know, but it's also a means of bringing people together, however morbid that sounds. I have so many friends from my cancer support groups that I will have for a lifetime and if I had to choose to do it all over the exact same way, I'd have cancer again.

03: What’s the one thing you’d say to someone who has just been diagnosed: Don't push yourself. Focus on fighting it and getting better because trying to do things your treatment won't allow you to do makes it harder on yourself and that's the last thing you need.

04: What things won’t a Doctor tell you: n/a

05: What advice do you have for a caregiver, doctor, or nurse who is treating a Young Adult with cancer: n/a

06: To me, cancer is: Life-Changing in many ways.

07: What is the best kind of support to give/receive: n/a

08: Who or what were your best resources for information: Books and my mother. I was little and didn't really understand everything, but what my mother couldn't explain, she made sure to get me a book on it so I could learn.

09: What has helped you the most: Knowing I'm not alone. I've been going to cancer support group camps since I was nine and going there let me truly be myself and share with others what I couldn't share with friends and family.

10: What’s your favorite tip or trick for dealing: Surrounding yourself with people you love and trust. It helps when you can express what you're feeling without concern about burdening others with it.

11: The thing that keeps you going is: Friends. I love my family, but there is nothing like having a friend you can complain to and who will understand. A friend who can truly comfort you and understand what you're feeling.

12: What are you doing to Prepare to Live: I'm trying to get used to the fact that I'll be dealing with the prospect of my cancer returning or getting a new type for the rest of my life. I think once I come to terms with that, I'll be fine.

What additional comments, experiences or ideas would you like to share: n/a