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was so young. At that time, they didn't have any good treatments like they have now. In any case, they gave me their best recommendations, and I received my chemotherapy in Los Angeles. The treatment was really strong, and I had many terrible side effects. The worst was the pain, especially the overall pain. It was difficult to walk. I also lost most of my hair. My husband, our families, and most of our friends, all of them helped me a great deal. They were very scared also, but I knew that I couldn't survive without them. The Incredible Benefits of Support I felt very alone; I didn't know anyone who had cancer. I always thought that cancer was a fatal disease. One day in the chemotherapy clinic, an educator informed me about a support group for people with cancer. It took me a great deal of time to go to the meeting because I felt uncomfortable talking about my situation.I finally went to a meeting, and I was so happy to find other patients who were fighting cancer and living with cancer. I was the youngest in that group. I attended the support group weekly for one year. It was so useful to talk about my fears and my hopes and the struggle with others who understood. One day, by accident, I found out about another support group for young adults with cancer. I decided to go to that group, and I felt content that I went. It was marvelous to find other people my age who had cancer also and who were struggling with the same things--being young, finishing college, starting a career and being independent from their family. I was part of this group for two years and I started to work in the office as a volunteer. Afterwards, they offered me a permanent job. I coordinated educational courses for the participants. When I finished my treatment, I came to believe that I needed to do something more important with my life. The social workers in the agency that I worked in influenced me tremendously. They worked with patients directly, and they facilitated support groups. I decided to do this also. I returned to the university to finish my bachelor's degree and continued my studies to obtain my master's in social work. It has been more than 20 years since that time. I have spent my entire career working with patients with cancer and now with patients with pain. I feel privileged to work with so many others who had cancer and who shared their experiences with me and inspired me to continue with my future. I have found many patients with cancer and professionals, also, who have taught me so much. I feel privileged for having survived my own treatment and for having made a satisfactory and significant life. With all humility, I am a person who speaks up for patients who haven't known another person who has survived cancer. After 20 years, there are still days when I think that my experience never happened and other days when I think that it happened yesterday. I still get nervous when I go for my medical exams. I still get nervous when I don’t feel good. The most important thing that I learned is the importance of talking with other patients with cancer. Meeting with other patients made me feel less alone and scared. Never lose hope.