Hi, I’m Kim Rainer, founder of All About Spirit and creator of 1,000 Cancer Survivor Stories.

On June 6, 2007, I went to bed a 48-year-old single mom and full-time college student looking forward to my bright new future as a palliative care nurse. On June 7, I became a stage 3C ovarian cancer survivor and my life changed forever!

And treatment is brutal! There have been three surgeries, 18 rounds of chemo, thousands of pokes, prods, lab draws and blood tests, and at least a million tears.

Chemo ravaged my body and my cognitive abilities were severely impacted. By the time my hair grew back, it was clear I would not be getting my bachelor’s degree in Nursing; and at age 49, I became medically retired. I can assure you, type A personality that I was – retirement at 49 was not in my plans.

Healthy and financially secure when I went back to school, I took out college student insurance believing I could easily withstand any medical surprises that might come up. Unfortunately, I was wrong. College student insurance is designed to treat broken bones not stage 3C ovarian cancer.

But it also left me hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. I found myself searching for affordable housing and applying for assistance from organizations I used to contribute to. As my life savings dissolved and my capacities diminished, I became terrified for my future.

Well-meaning family and friends would say “you must be so grateful to be alive.” Truth be told, most of the time I was angry that I didn’t just die like the majority of stage 3C ovarian cancer survivors.

Previously successful in career and finances, the overwhelming sense of defeat nearly did me in.

A survivor by nature, I sought help from the medical community that saved my life. Yet, with all their experience, training and knowledge they didn’t know how to help me recreate my Life.

I have been walking this path since June of 2007. It has taught me what now seems obvious cancer survivors are those of us who had the surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. But there are other survivors. They are the ones who walk with us, cook and clean for us, pick us our slack at work, are scared for us, pray for us, and sometimes are left behind.

Time proved I was not the only survivor struggling to pick up the pieces of a shattered life. We heal by sharing our stories, and others find hope in reading them. So, I created 1000 Survivor Stories, a collection of cancer survivor stories to help you find your tribe.

I hope you find them honest, healing, raw and hopeful.

If your survivor story is waiting to be told (whether you had the treatment or stood by someone who did) it is my honor to create a safe and sacred place for your voice to be heard.

Tell your story in writing, as a video recording, through an interview, or in an art medium that connects to your heart. However your cancer survivor story is told, I am excited to host 1000 Survivor Stories for people to heal through sharing, and gain hope through reading.

Thank you for inviting me into your space.

Please include your name and location for attribution.  If your story is published in the Survivor Diaries, I am happy to offer a reciprocal link. 

Until we actually have a chance to talk, I hope life treats you well!

#CancerSurvivorStories

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