In this episode we are joined by a panel of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors who have a meaningful conversation about survivor’s guilt.
Guest Topics Include:
What does survivor’s guilt mean to you?
How has survivor’s guilt affected you, and what moments or triggers bring up those feelings connected to your survivorship?
As survivors, did you feel survivor’s guilt in knowing friends or acquaintances — sometimes with the same diagnosis — who passed away?
Did any of you ever feel guilty about needing help, or about not being able to fix things?
Diagnosed at 20 as a college student during the pandemic — what feelings did you experience most during treatment, including guilt over missed classes and experiences?
Diagnosed during dental school — how were you able to push through, and what are examples of your own survivor’s guilt and how you coped?
What kind of support or conversations would feel meaningful to you as you process feelings of survivor’s guilt?
Discussion with our Key Opinion Leader:
Can you tell us what survivor’s guilt is and why it occurs?
Why does survivor’s guilt present as such a common feeling for cancer survivors?
Survivor’s guilt isn’t always about the big things, like losing a loved one — it can be the little things too. Why is it important to give yourself grace in both the big moments and the small ones?
How can our listeners recognize that these feelings are normal emotions and that it’s OK to feel this way?
What are some resources and coping mechanisms you recommend for our audience that may be looking for support?
