u/Alarming_Local697

hey guys, I hope you all are doing well. Last year I was diagnosed with testicular cancer when I was sixteen and I’m not sure how to even feel about. I’m about 9 months of chemo and I feel like the environment lke school I forgot about it. Ppl alwyas said that cancer would change my life but honestly hasn’t. I feel the same and thank god I am healthy wise (except for one testicle lmao) but I don’t know if I do mentally. I feel lost rn and not in a way of I don’t know what I’m doing but just feeling a lost of self. I need some wisdom from some of the elders or anyone who is willing. Thanks!

For context I was diagnosed last year when I was 16 with EC and went through an orchiectomy and BEP x3. These last few months of recovery I don’t know how to feel, I don’t feel like I have a new perspective on life like everyone says they do after chemo. My friends who ask I always say I do have new perspective on life and that it changed how I see things but to be honest it hasn’t really. There are times where I completely forgot that I even had it. I grew up in a very competitive academic area where all my friends are focused on school and I was caught up on that when I was diagnosed and went back straight too it after I was done like nothing happened. Sometimes I think this test score won’t matter I been thru worse but I can’t help to feel like that isn’t true and I still worry about my grades and I still am scared of heights like I didn’t have my ball removed and went thru chemo at 16. Maybe it’s the environment I am in or maybe it’s me , I don’t want to keep feeling like this I’ve always wanted to go to a very prestigious school but im so scared I won’t. I try to reassure myself that I’ve been thru worse but it never helps. I don’t know if I’m supposed to feel this way, I wanna feel different and changed.

Hey everyone, I’m a high school junior who had cancer wanting some general advice on my profile!

Stats:

GPA: 3.5 UW / 4.0 W

SAT: 1550

(My grades were affected during chemotherapy and when I was going through figuring out my diagnosis, but my junior year I had all As and one B, which was the year I was cured.)

Background:

I’m a cancer survivor, which has shaped a lot of my activities and interests.

ECs:

Co-Chair of Youth Advisory Council at the hospital where I was treated (largest children’s hospital in my state)

Volunteer at the same hospital (~15% acceptance rate)

Started a cancer support/education initiative partnered with the hospital (helped 25+ students transition back to school after treatment)

HOSA Officer (one of the largest chapter, 500+ members)

Certified Phlebotomist (NHA)

Awards:

HOSA Top 5 Regional (x2)

CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

PVSA Gold (200+ hours)

AP Scholar with Distinction

Ideas I’m working on:

Writing a book about cancer experiences + recovery mindset

Possibly starting a nonprofit related to cancer support (still figuring out direction)

I’m aiming for T20 schools and just want to make sure I’m using my time well this year.

What would you recommend I focus on next to stand out more? (impact, awards, leadership projects, etc.)

Also open to any creative ideas — feel free to drop them here or DM me.

Appreciate any advice 🙏

Hey everyone, I’m a high school junior who had cancer wanting some general advice on my profile!

Stats:

GPA: 3.5 UW / 4.0 W

SAT: 1550

(My grades were affected during chemotherapy and when I was going through figuring out my diagnosis, but my junior year I had all As and one B, which was the year I was cured.)

Background:

I’m a cancer survivor, which has shaped a lot of my activities and interests.

ECs:

Co-Chair of Youth Advisory Council at the hospital where I was treated (largest children’s hospital in my state)

Volunteer at the same hospital (~15% acceptance rate)

Started a cancer support/education initiative partnered with the hospital (helped 25+ students transition back to school after treatment)

HOSA Officer (one of the largest chapter, 500+ members)

Certified Phlebotomist (NHA)

Awards:

HOSA Top 5 Regional (x2)

CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

PVSA Gold (200+ hours)

AP Scholar with Distinction

Ideas I’m working on:

Writing a book about cancer experiences + recovery mindset

Possibly starting a nonprofit related to cancer support (still figuring out direction)

I’m aiming for T20 schools and just want to make sure I’m using my time well this year.

What would you recommend I focus on next to stand out more? (impact, awards, leadership projects, etc.)

Also open to any creative ideas — feel free to drop them here or DM me.

Appreciate any advice 🙏