24 Comments
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John Rinaldo's avatar

Sarah, this is written with such grace and truth. You captured the strange in-between—the waiting, the tenderness, the quiet courage—so honestly. Your noticing, your openness, and your willingness to be seen turned fear into shared humanity. That matters more than you know.

Sarah Oehler's avatar

Thank you so much John. That means a lot

Old Codger Steve's avatar

Thankyou for this

Resonates deeply with me

Cancer people know cancer people

What understandably most don't realise it is not just the treatment but also the emotional roller coaster having cancer creates.

Wish you well

Sarah Oehler's avatar

Thank you for sharing that. I know my journey was easy compared to some but I felt like all of that rollercoaster was worth naming so others could feel like they’re doing ok and this is not normal. ❤️

Kathy Gregg's avatar

You're based in Colorado? I live in Aurora if you'd ever like to meet in person. I'd love to take you to lunch to celebrate the end of your treatment. It's such an important milestone.

Sarah Oehler's avatar

Thanks Kathy and thank you for taking the time to read this! Feel free to reach out on private message and when I’m feeling better that might be an idea.

Susan's avatar

Cancer sucks!!! It doesn’t matter who had what treatment and how much, it SUCKS!!!! The tests, the biopsies, the surgeries, the chemo, the radiation, and the medication…oh, and all the waiting for results…all of it leads to feeling worried and anxious even years later with each follow up appointment. No matter how good you are doing, somehow those annual exams still bring with them a worry of reoccurrence. With that said, we rest and recuperate and we bounce back (if we are so blessed). We move on after the follow up exams and live our lives.

Yes, you are lucky with five days of radiation but it still is draining on the mental health and possibly on the physical. You are blessed to be on the other side of treatment and I hope all follow up appointments are positive.

Sarah Oehler's avatar

Thank You for your comment Susan. And that validation and encouragement. Yes. Cancer does suck. And I’m grateful to be getting to the other side.

Glenn Winters's avatar

Brava - both for surviving and for writing so well about it. 👏👏👏

Sarah Oehler's avatar

Thank you so much. And thank you for reaching out.

Andrea Silveria's avatar

The waiting. The waiting. I felt that to my core. As a family member to three people with different types of cancer, we are always waiting for something. It’s agonizing. Your writing is so real and touched me. Thank you for this one.

Sarah Oehler's avatar

Sorry to hear this. It is hard. And many people have it harder. I just wanted to talk about how hard it is for everyone. And at the same time show gratitude for those who took care of me. It is all extremely exhausting. I’m so glad you found it and it resonated. Found a family of people like you by going through this.

Chris Keller's avatar

i felt everything you described but especially the need for support, in so many ways. Big congratulations.

Sarah Oehler's avatar

So glad it was something you could relate to. Thanks for taking the time to read it and reach out. Happy holidays.

Jay's avatar

Congrats I’m proud of u

Jay's avatar

it’s takes a lot to go through that process and still be strong enough to do this New York here let’s connect

Cynthia Bender's avatar

Hello! Thank you for sharing. Your words convey the multitude of feelings that run through your mind and the courage as well as the gratitude that you felt before, during, and after the treatment. Congratulations to you and may your holidays be wonderfully enjoyed by you and your family. 😌

Sarah Oehler's avatar

Thank you Cynthia!

Lynn J. Broderick's avatar

Beautiful story. Love the accompanying photos. What moved me were the encouraging strangers you met along the way here and in real life. Love the happy ending. What a gift!

Sarah Oehler's avatar

Thank you Lynn for reading. Yes I am sure you’ve also experienced this. How the kindness of strangers can mean so much when walking yourself or loved ones through illness or suffering

Alex & Beyond's avatar

Thanks for sharing your story, wishing you all the best

Sarah Oehler's avatar

Thank you so much. It means a lot.