What helped you get through cancer treatment?
What helped me most was exercise and the people around me. Exercise became my therapy. It gave me a sense of strength and control during a time when so much felt uncertain. I also learned that cancer is not something you have to face alone. When friends and family offered support—whether it was a meal, a ride, or simply being there—I learned to accept it and let them be part of my journey.
“Exercise gave me strength and a sense of control. And when people offered to help, I learned to let them—because cancer is not something you should go through alone.”
Harjit Basi
How did you cope with the fear after being diagnosed with cancer?
When I learned I had a tumor, I went through the motions at first, but eventually the fear and stress caught up with me. I realized I couldn’t let cancer define who I was or take over my life. What helped me was finding ways to care for my mind as well as my body. Through practices like qigong and integrative cancer care, I found tools that helped me manage my anxiety, regain a sense of balance, and move forward with hope.
“I realized I couldn’t let cancer define who I was. Finding ways to care for my mind and body helped me regain a sense of balance and hope.”
Peggy Lopipero-Langmo
How do I ask for help during cancer treatment?
One of the biggest lessons I learned was to accept help when it’s offered. Some people you expect to be there may not show up, while others may surprise you with their kindness and support. Give yourself permission to lean on the people who lift you up and let go of the idea that you have to do everything on your own. Taking care of yourself should be your highest priority during treatment.
“Give yourself permission to ask for help and graciously accept it. The people who care about you truly want to be there for you.”
Susanna Benningfield
How do I balance cancer treatment with work and everyday life?
During radiation, I felt pressure to keep doing everything I had always done, including working full time. What helped me most was realizing that healing needed to become my priority. With the support of a therapist, I gave myself permission to slow down, work part time, and focus on my recovery. It wasn’t easy, but reducing stress and making space for healing made a meaningful difference in my journey.
“Give yourself permission to focus on healing. It’s okay if you’re not 100% at everything right now—taking care of yourself is what matters most.”
Harjit Basi
What’s the best advice for getting through cancer treatment?
One of the most important things I learned was to accept help. It can be difficult to lean on others, but having friends, family, and your care team around you makes a tremendous difference. I also learned never to suffer in silence. If you’re struggling with side effects, anxiety, or pain, speak up. Your care team has experience, resources, and practical solutions that can help you feel better throughout treatment.
“Don’t suffer in silence. Whether it’s physical or emotional, let your care team know what you’re experiencing—they can help more than you realize.”
Jane Mortimer
How can cancer change my perspective on life?
As difficult as a cancer diagnosis can be, it can also become an opportunity to reflect on what matters most. I learned to see this season of my life not just as something to get through, but as something that could teach me and help me grow. Along the way, I discovered the strength of the people around me and realized that I wasn’t facing this journey alone. I was an important member of my own care team.
“You’re not alone. You’re an important part of your care team, and there is so much you can do to support your own healing and well-being.”
Peggy Lopipero-Langmo
How do I learn what to expect after a cancer diagnosis?
The first few months after diagnosis can feel overwhelming—like you’ve landed on a different planet with a new language and new fears. What helped me most was connecting with others who had already been through it. Talking to people who understood the treatments and what to expect gave me clarity and confidence, and helped me feel like I wasn’t facing it alone.
“Talking to others who had been through it changed everything. You realize you’re not just a patient—you’re part of a community.”
Victor Ortiz
Prostate Cancer
Why is it helpful to talk with someone who’s been through the same cancer?
What makes PeerTalk so valuable is that it connects you with someone who understands your specific situation. The program takes the time to match patients based on diagnosis, treatment experience, and individual needs, helping create meaningful connections. Talking with someone who has already walked a similar path can provide practical insights, reassurance, and a level of understanding that’s difficult to find anywhere else.
“Talking to someone who has been through it makes all the difference. They understand what you’re going through in a way that no one else can.”
Harjit Basi
What if I’m facing cancer alone?
When I was diagnosed, I was frightened. I had seen others go through cancer, but I didn’t know what treatment would be like for me. I had recently lost my husband, my family lived across the country, and I needed to relocate temporarily to receive daily radiation treatments. What helped me most was finding support and accepting guidance from someone who could help me navigate the many challenges and decisions that came with treatment.
“I was frightened because I felt alone. What made the difference was finding someone who could help me navigate the journey and remind me that I didn’t have to do it by myself.”
Marya D'Abate
What was surgery like for you?
Before surgery, I imagined it would be much harder than it turned out to be. While it was certainly a major procedure, I was surprised by how quickly I started feeling like myself again. There was some discomfort and bloating, but within a few days I was recovering well. Most importantly, knowing that the cancer had been removed gave me tremendous peace of mind and made the recovery process feel much easier.
“I was amazed at how quickly I started to feel okay again. The comfort of knowing the cancer had been removed outweighed the temporary discomfort of recovery.”
Brewer Stone
Is there anything you wish you had done sooner during treatment?
Looking back, one thing I wish I had done earlier was explore supportive care options like acupuncture. I didn’t discover it until several months into treatment, but it became an important part of managing symptoms and supporting my recovery. Resources like the Osher Center offered additional tools that complemented my medical treatment and helped me feel better throughout the healing process.
“If I could do one thing differently, I would have started supportive care sooner. Acupuncture became an invaluable part of managing my symptoms and recovery.”
Susanna Benningfield
What should I bring with me to chemotherapy?
Before chemotherapy, I spent a lot of time preparing. I packed books, movies, blankets, and all kinds of things I thought I would need. But looking back, the most important thing I brought was a trusted friend. Having someone there to talk with me, distract me, and support me made all the difference. I also learned it’s okay to be selective about who you invite into your cancer journey and to lean on the people who make you feel most comfortable.
“I thought I needed books, movies, and all the right supplies for chemo. What I really needed was the right person sitting next to me.”
Rhiannon Berenbaum
Why should I talk to other patients before choosing a treatment?
One of the most valuable things I gained from talking with other patients was learning about options I didn’t even know existed. People who had already been through different treatments helped me understand what questions to ask, what resources to explore, and how to become a more informed participant in my care. While they didn’t give medical advice, they shared experiences and insights that helped me better understand my choices and feel more confident in my decisions.
“Talking with other patients helped me discover treatment options and questions I didn’t even know to ask. Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know.”
Victor Ortiz
What helped you get through cancer treatment?
My treatment journey included chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, and there were times when it felt overwhelming. What got me through was trusting my care team, staying active, and leaning on the people around me. My oncologist encouraged me to exercise, even on the days when I didn’t feel like it, and it gave me a sense of strength and control. I also relied on family and friends who showed up for me every step of the way.
“When so much feels uncertain, exercise gave me a sense of control. And the support of family and friends helped me get through one of the hardest experiences of my life.”
Harjit Basi
What helped you recover after surgery?
One of the things that helped me most after surgery was physical therapy. I experienced swelling and scar tissue that made me uncomfortable, but lymphatic drainage massage and physical therapy made a tremendous difference in my recovery. I also learned that small things matter—like finding a comfortable way to sleep and using pillows for support. Don’t hesitate to ask your care team about resources that can help you heal and feel more comfortable.
“Physical therapy and lymphatic massage helped me so much. Sometimes the little things that make you more comfortable can have a big impact on your recovery.”
Meredith Yalenty
Why is it helpful to talk with someone who’s been through cancer before?
One of the most valuable things a cancer survivor can offer is experience. Programs like PeerTalk connect people who have been through the journey with those who are just beginning it. Whether it’s understanding treatment, navigating decisions, or simply knowing what to expect, learning from someone who’s been there can make the path ahead feel less overwhelming and more manageable.
“PeerTalk is about paying it forward—sharing what we’ve learned so the next person doesn’t have to navigate cancer alone”
Maya D'Abate
What was the hardest part of recovery after surgery?
For me, the surgical drains were one of the most uncomfortable parts of recovery. While they were an important part of the healing process, they took some getting used to. What helped was finding practical ways to stay comfortable, like using pillows for support and wearing clothing designed to hold the drains. The good news is that once the drains came out, I felt a tremendous sense of relief and recovery became much easier.
“The drains were uncomfortable, but they were temporary. Once they came out, I felt so much better and could focus on getting back to normal.”
Mededith Yalenty
Should I bring someone with me to my appointments?
One of the most helpful things you can do is bring someone you trust to important medical appointments. When you’re hearing information about your own diagnosis and treatment, it’s natural to feel anxious and miss details. Having someone there to listen, take notes, and help you remember what was discussed can make a tremendous difference. You can also ask your care team if it’s okay to record the conversation so you can revisit the information later
“When you’re anxious, it’s easy to miss important information. Having someone by your side to listen, take notes, and support you can make all the difference”
Marya D'Abate
Who can I turn to when I’m struggling during treatment?
One of the greatest sources of support during my treatment was the nurses in the infusion center. They were incredibly caring, knowledgeable, and always willing to help. Whenever I experienced nausea, pain, or other side effects, they encouraged me to speak up and ask questions. Their experience and practical advice helped me navigate treatment with more confidence and reminded me that I wasn’t facing it alone.
“The infusion nurses were amazing. They always took the time to listen, answer questions, and help me find solutions when I was struggling.”
Jane Mortimer
What should I do first after being diagnosed with cancer?
It can feel overwhelming at first—like everything is suddenly out of your control. For me, getting connected to integrative care made a real difference. I learned what to eat, how to move my body, and how to manage the stress that comes with a diagnosis. It gave me a sense of control again and helped me feel like I had a path forward.
“You don’t have to go through this alone. Getting support helped me feel like I had some control again when everything felt uncertain.”
Peggy Lopipero-Langmo
Lung Cancer
How do I stay positive during chemotherapy?
Mindset made a big difference for me during chemotherapy. I chose to reframe it—not as something toxic or scary, but as the thing that was saving my life. I created small routines around each infusion, like having a friend come with me, planning something comforting afterward, and bringing things that made me feel at ease. That shift helped make the experience feel less overwhelming.
“I stopped thinking of chemo as something to fear and started seeing it as something that was saving my life. That change in mindset made it a lot less scary.”
Jane Mortimer
Breast Cancer
What should I expect during cancer treatment?
What helped me most was knowing what to expect. My doctor explained that radiation is cumulative—that the first couple of weeks might feel manageable, but it would get harder as treatment went on and even after it ended. That honesty made a huge difference. I understood that the pain I felt was part of the process, not something going wrong, and that gave me a sense of relief.
“Once I understood what to expect, it took away a lot of the fear. The hardest part wasn’t the pain—it was the uncertainty.”
Susanna Benningfield
Oral Pharyngeal Squamous