There's an unfortunate common misconception that cancer survivors should, and can, feel positive when they make it through treatment and cancer is technically "over". However, many survivors report feeling very complicated feelings at that time, citing a major gap between people's expectations and how they are actually feeling.

The experience of a young cancer patient can be particularly nuanced. There is the shock of the diagnosis, the physical toll on one's body, and the social isolation that can occur as peers are moving on with their lives and having experiences typical of young adults.

Young adult cancer survivor, Serena Weatherall, explains the lingering trauma of her diagnosis, stating "I can go back into the story of myself as being kind of weak, and sick, and dis-empowered." However, despite these fears that remain, she does concede "I have incredible resilience now, as a person...I've got a totally different perspective than I ever did before."

For more on Serena's story, and others like her, click here.