11. Living with Cancer: Misdiagnosis, Metastases, Cancerversaries, & the AYA Experience

On episode 11 of A Chat with Uma, inspired by my upcoming 4-year cancerversary and all that comes up this time of year - I share my full story + experience of living with cancer since I was 22. I talk you through the 6 months of misdiagnosis that led up to my diagnosis the day after my birthday, and I take you through the tumultuous journey of treatment that was shaped by further negligence, misdiagnosis, and mistreatment. I share the consequences of my delayed treatment on my prognosis, and I explain the reality of living with cancer rather than being in remission. I speak at length about the unique struggles of living with cancer as an AYA (adolescent + young adult patient), and I draw awareness to the experience of survivorship beyond treatment that is often completely overlooked by those in an AYA's life. I close with reflections about my experience, and a call to action + empowerment about sharing our true experiences in community with others - and allowing ourselves the chance to be truly seen + supported. Topics Covered + Timestamps: (00:00:00): Introduction to the episode, why l'm doing this episode, my upcoming 4-year cancerversary, dedication of this episode (00:09:44): Aspiring Scientists Coalition Presentation with Dr. Ben Rein THIS Thursday April 13, 9am PDT / 12pm EDT ⁠⁠Sign up for free HERE (00:14:00): Breaking Convention Presentation April 20-22 | University of Exeter ⁠Register to attend HERE⁠ (in person or virtual) (00:17:05): Digital CancerCon Presentation April 16-30, virtual platform Register HERE for free (00:19:58): Diagnosis & surgery Events leading up to my diagnosis 6 months of misdiagnosis Being diagnosed the day after my birthday The role of my young age Going through cancer surgery Consequences and effects (00:42:56): Negligence, radiation, metastasis Medical negligence after surgery Transitioning my care Highest risk of recurrence Radiation Discovery of distant spots of metastasis (01:01:20): What my cancer looks like now Current level of monitoring "Cancer suppressed" vs. in remission The role of my young age (01:07:31): The AYA cancer experience What AYA is: adolescent + young adult patients The worsened outcomes + prognoses for AYAs AYA awareness and self-advocacy (01:14:42): The reality of facing your mortality Isolation, fear, scanxiety Worsened mental health outcomes Toxic positivity and gratitude How to adequately support AYAs (01:19:27): Closing out the episode, integrating and allowing all parts of you to exist Connect with me! My website⁠: ⁠⁠⁠umarchatterjee.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@UmaRChatterjee⁠⁠⁠ Twitter:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@UmaRChatterjee⁠⁠⁠ TikTok:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@UmaRChatterjee⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠