I think as humans, we try our best to make meaning out of the things that happen to us in our lives. I am by no means perfect, but I am a young adult that will be forever connected to cancer, which is one of the unique things about this population. Young adults are diagnosed during various crucial times in our lives; times when we are starting college, entering a career, getting married or having children. Since we are all diagnosed at young ages, one of our challenges is to make meaning of our cancer experience and integrate cancer into our lives in the way that is best for us.
Like many young adults, I was diagnosed at eighteen with my whole life ahead of me. I have done a lot of personal coping to get to a place of peace and have integrated cancer into my life in a meaningful way. I feel that the things that I have accomplished in the cancer community, the people whose lives I have touched and those who have touched mine and my emerging social work career are pieces of my “meaning making.” I’m sure there is more growth ahead, both personally and professionally, as my journey continues to unfold. I look to sharing those pieces of my life with you in the future.
