The Survivor (Thriver) Series ~ Abby Shoenfelt: #28

SC: Tell us your name and where you are from:

AS: Abby — Kentucky hometown, Iowa now and moving back to Louisiana at the end of the summer

SC: Tell us about yourself. What do you do for a living or what do you want to do?

AS: I’m a doctor who quit my job after cancer to spend time with my family :)

SC: Are you a patient, survivor or caregiver (or combination)?

AS: Survivor

SC: Tell us your story:

AS: I’m a doctor, wife, mother of at that time a 1-year-old baby, in my first year of residency working 90H a week — found a giant hard lump on the lower right side of my neck and for a CT which showed a large mass there and in my chest. Did 6 months of chemo while still working and was cured only to have a relapse 2 months after finishing chemo where I was sent to MD Anderson and several pathologists couldn’t figure out why my cancer was back as but finally, they all concluded that I was cancer free and didn’t need any more chemo.

SC: What is the biggest lesson you have learned through this experience?

AS: God no matter what is still GOOD.

SC: What would you like to say to someone going through what you have gone through or are going through?

AS: We are all mortal, and having the blessing to have the time to encounter your own mortality is a gift not everyone gets. Enjoy your life, your family, tell them you love them, buy the shoes, sing out loud. Cancer sucks but there must be good to come from it. Tell your story.

SC: What do you do that brings you most comfort and joy?

AS: Oh lord…

SC: What motivates you to keep going, smiling, fighting?

AS: My sweet baby, and family, and the survivors and cancer fighters who I’ve met.

SC: Any music, movies, books, art that have inspired you during your journey?

AS: OMG- the judge — helped me explain to ppl about the realities of chemobrain. it was revelational to see another persons chemo-brain journey

SC: Do you have a favorite quote, mantra or saying that has helped you during your journey?

AS: In heaven there won’t be any pain, confusion or loss. We will see clearly. So I embrace my moment of pain now and give Him praise in the midst of it. Because that’s an offering I’ll never have a chance to give Him in heaven. Every moment is an opportunity to give god something in worship.

Everyone at Stupid Cancer would like to extend an enormous thank you to Abby for sharing her story with us and the community.

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themommymd/

Together we are ending isolation and building community for those impacted by cancer.