Recently, I attended an in-person Survivorship Symposium sponsored by Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. It was an excellent program that gave me a lot to think about as a cancer survivor.
The presentations covered important topics such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, emotional well-being, and how we cope when a serious illness turns our world upside down.
I have been a cancer survivor since I was diagnosed with brain cancer on November 24, 2014. Although I survived cancer, I will never forget the day I heard the words, “You have a brain tumor.” Those words hit hard and changed my life in ways I could ever have imagined.
Understanding What Survivorship Means
I remember when Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center introduced its Survivorship Program in 2018. At first, I was confused by the concept because I did not think of myself as a survivor.
As I healed and began participating in some of the programs offered, I came to understand and appreciate what survivorship meant.
I realized that surviving cancer was not simply about completing treatment. It was about learning to live with the physical, emotional, and sometimes spiritual changes that come with a cancer diagnosis.
I was grateful for the excellent care I received, but I also began to recognize my responsibility to take care of myself as I adjusted to my “new normal.”
When Survivorship Includes End-of-Life Care
One topic that has become especially meaningful to me is how end-of-life care fits into the broader conversation about cancer survivorship.
In August 2026, I lost my niece, Krista, to cancer. Her passing made me think more deeply about patients whose cancer treatments are no longer effective and the families who accompany them on that difficult journey.
Not every person diagnosed with cancer will survive the disease. But every patient deserves compassionate, individualized care, dignity, and support throughout their journey.
When treatment can no longer control the disease, the focus of care may shift toward comfort, symptom and pain management, emotional and spiritual support, and discussions about the patient’s wishes and choices, including hospice care.
I experienced this firsthand with Krista.
As her condition progressed and it became clear that further cancer-direct treatment would not help, her healthcare team worked with her and her family to transition her care to hospice.
What touched me most was that Krista was able to remain at the cancer center where she had received her care. She was surrounded by a team she knew and trusted, and her family received the support they needed during an incredibly difficult time.
That continuity of care meant so much to all of us.
Losing Krista has not been easy. Our family continues to struggle with the reality of her loss. Yet, I have been deeply touched by the compassion of her healthcare team, including the bereavement professionals who have reached out to family members to offer ongoing support.
Their care did not end when Krista’s life ended.
That experience reminded me that compassionate cancer care is not measured only by survival. It is also measured by how we care for patients and families when the outcome is not what anyone had hoped for.
The Value of Survivorship Programs
Cancer affects everyone differently. Each patient and family experiences the diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and uncertainty in their own way.
Survivorship programs provide education, resources, and support to help patients and families navigate these challenges. They encourage people to take an active role in their health while maintaining connections with the healthcare professionals they trust.
At the symposium, I learned something I wanted to share with my readers: You do not have to be a patient at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center to participate in many of its survivorship programs.
Many programs are offered virtually, making them accessible to people who live outside South Florida.
I encourage you to explore the resources available through the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute. There is a wealth of information available to patients, survivors, and caregivers. Please share these resources with anyone you know who might benefit.
Final Thoughts
Attending this symposium reminded me how important it is to continue learning, asking questions, and taking an active role in our health and healthcare.
It also reinforced something I have learned through my own cancer journey and through losing Krista: Every cancer journey is different, but no one should have to travel that road alone.
Whether someone is living with cancer, adjusting to life after treatment, or facing the end of life, compassionate care, education, and support can make an enormous difference.
Thank you for reading my posts and following me through my Nurse Advocate Blog and Substack. My hope is that something I share will touch you, your family, or your friends and help you navigate life’s challenges in a positive way.
Have a good day!
