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On the Other Side of Cancer

Survivors talk about the challenges of life after cancercon't.

Darrin Patterson

Age: 34
Hometown: Ypsilanti
Survived: Sarcoma
Major Concern: Changes in Body Function

When Darrin Patterson rolls up his left sleeve, you see the six-inch scar along his wrist and forearm. Just beneath it is the metal plate surgeons used to fuse his wrist in place after removing a tumor.

Patterson is the most positive guy you'll ever meet (and you may have met him-he works at the desk in the infusion waiting room on Level B-1). But every once in a while-say, when he picks up his 2-year-old daughter-the loss of mobility in his hand and wrist bothers him.

"I'm right-handed, which is a blessing, but I used my left hand a lot more than I realized," he said.

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By lifting weights, Patterson has helped to increase strength -- and lose 40 pounds. Patterson also credits faith, music and sense of purpose with helping him cope with the change in his life.

"I'm still here in the lives of my family. You only get one life so why would I carry myself in pity?" he said. "It's just something I have to accept. It's humbling, but once I embraced it, I knew it would be something I could use to help someone else."

Sue Sexton

Age: 54
Hometown: Whitehouse, Ohio
Survived: Breast Cancer
Major Concern: Finding Balance

Sue Sexton plans to use this year to find a healthy balance between life and work. To do that, she plans to cut back on commitments.

"I'm trying to take a long view: Is this activity or commitment really something that's going to benefit me or just taking up time I don't need to spend?" she said.

One of thing she may decide to add to her agenda? The American Cancer Society's Making Strides walk.

"I still like to feel like I'm part of the movement," she said.

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After treatment, cancer survivors often reorder priorities. Define what's important to you. Think about volunteering for a cancer charity. Consider new experiences to foster emotional growth. The U-M Cancer Center's Complementary Therapy program offers a wide range of opportunity to do just that.

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This article first appeared in the Winter, 2009 issue of Thrive.    Read it! -- opens as a .pdf document

See Also:

Survivorship Program web pages