The need for support and interaction continues into cancer survivorship. Both Mr. Fuehrer and Mr. Koomen said that it’s hard for those who haven’t lived through life-threatening diagnoses and traumatic, protracted treatments to understand how the experiences stay with you. Mr. Fuehrer has to gear himself up for a trip to the dentist, where the bright lights, reclining posture, and sights, sounds, and smells trigger unwelcome memories of old trauma.
And Mr. Koomen said that given the opportunity, he wouldn’t rewrite his history to have lived a cancer-free life because the experiences he went through shaped so much of who he is today. Still, he feels different from many of his young adult peers and has enjoyed connecting with fellow young survivors through the Stupid Cancer app.
Also, Mr. Koomen, now a college student in Rochester, N.Y., who’s contemplating writing a book about his experiences, said that a smartphone might have helped him keep a lost link to his past: He wishes he had more pictures of his time in the hospital. “I wish I could remember more about my favorite nurses. I have some great memories with them.”
The American Society of Clinical Oncology maintains a list of resources for teens with cancer and those supporting them, as well as a general information page for teens diagnosed with cancer.
Dr. Buhtoiarov reported no relevant conflicts of interests. Mr. Fuehrer is the chief executive officer of Gryt Health , the developer of the Stupid Cancer app. Mr. Koomen reported no relevant conflicts of interest.