Real stories, healing wisdom & warrior voices
Shay’s Warriors Life After Cancer Blog
Practical wellness advice, honest survivor journeys, and emotional support resources for cancer warriors, thrivers, and loved ones. You don't have to walk this path alone.
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Beyond Pinktober: The Unspoken Reality of Survivorship
Breast Cancer Awareness Month can bring awareness, community, and hope, but it can also bring difficult emotions for cancer survivors, caregivers, loved ones, and people currently living with cancer. In this personal reflection, Shay shares what survivorship really feels like beyond October, from survivor’s guilt and grief to fear of recurrence, gratitude, changed relationships, and the ongoing emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis.
What reaching one year without your cancer soulmate teaches you about grief
Shay Moraga reflects on the 365-day anniversary of losing her best friend Aileen to cancer. She discusses navigating the 1-year milestone, facing mirror reminders of post-cancer scars, and holding on to faith.
How do you grieve the loss of a soul sister to cancer? “Dear Aileen. Love Shay.”
Shay Moraga writes a tribute letter to her close friend and fellow warrior Aileen at the end of 2024. She reflects on their instant connection, shared fears during treatment, and her commitment to carrying Aileen's legacy forward.
What should you say to a friend going through cancer treatment?
Shay Moraga offers supportive phrases to send friends navigating cancer treatment or post-cancer recovery. She highlights low-pressure messages that make loved ones feel seen without adding communication fatigue.
Why cancer survivors should stop making new year's resolutions and start living
Shay Moraga reflects on why cancer survivors often struggle with traditional New Year's resolutions. She highlights the profound lessons cancer teaches about time, inner strength, overcoming fear, and choosing to live fully without excuses.
How to build resilience after a breast cancer diagnosis
By Katie Pierce | Guest Contributor
Katie offers practical advice for navigating the overwhelming shock of a breast cancer diagnosis. She emphasizes emotional processing, finding peer support, avoiding information overload, delegating tasks to loved ones, and maintaining gentle self-care routines.
How does looking back at cancer treatment help us honor survival?
On World Cancer Day, Shay Moraga reviews old journals and rewatches a 25-minute video of her hair being shaved during breast cancer treatment. Confronting her raw fear from five years prior reinforces her gratitude for life, the privilege of growing older, and her commitment to advocacy.
How do you set meaningful goals after cancer treatment?
Cancer survivor and advocate Shay Moraga addresses the pressure of New Year's resolutions and explains how survivors can set gentle, sustainable intentions. She highlights mental grounding, managing post-chemo physical changes, involving family in simple nutrition routines, and unplugging from technology to reduce anxiety.
What being diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at age 14 taught me about strength
This Q&A feature highlights Annette’s experience facing a spinal tumor and Ewing Sarcoma diagnosis as a teenager, detailing her mental resilience, physical recovery, and positive mindset.
How cancer survivors can navigate health anxiety during times of uncertainty
This article discusses how cancer survivors experience heightened anxiety during global crises, offering insights into mindset shifts and embracing inevitable life changes.
What to expect emotionally when your chemotherapy treatment finally ends
This article captures Shay’s experience on her final day of chemotherapy, exploring the bittersweet relief of finishing treatment alongside the anxiety of leaving her care team and stepping into the unknown.
How to cope with the isolation of metastatic breast cancer treatment
This article details Aileen’s experience navigating metastatic breast cancer treatment during healthcare lockdowns, exploring the heavy emotional toll of medical isolation and what it truly means to thrive rather than just survive.
Why prioritizing your mental health is more important than you think
This article shares Shay’s Warriors Tribe Member Hannah’s honest reflections on mental health, letting go of unachievable perfectionism, and finding strength through community support during difficult life seasons.
Finding signs and purpose in the unknown after cancer
This article explores how facing fear and the unknown during post-cancer life can lead to finding deeper faith, recognizing signs from the universe, and creating a meaningful mission to support fellow survivors.
How to use controlled breathing to reduce anxiety and calm your nervous system
This article explains how simple, slow-controlled breathing practices—such as the 4-7-8 technique—can actively calm the nervous system, lower anxiety, and relieve physical tension for cancer survivors.
The longest wait: Preparing for breast cancer surgery and pathology results
This article shares Shay’s personal experience on the morning of her breast cancer surgery, capturing the raw emotional toll of waiting for results and learning to trust her medical team.