Date of Award

Spring 5-3-2024

Level of Access Assigned by Author

Open-Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

English

Advisor

Morgan Talty

Second Committee Member

Hollie Adams

Third Committee Member

Gregory Howard

Abstract

This thesis is a memoir, featuring a collection of short pieces and essays detailing my experiences having and being around cancer. The purpose of this work was to explore my relationship with illness, death, my body, my loved ones, and the world around me during the time of my illness and in the years since becoming cancer-free. The pieces cover a variety of time periods, stretching from the day of my diagnosis to my routines now, and discusses many topics, such as medical procedures I underwent, messages I exchanged with family and friends, and struggles I have had accepting, such as being labeled a “cancer survivor.” While my purpose was to capture a thorough and deeply personal view on serious illness from the perspective of someone in their early 20s, any meaning or takeaway or truth the reader stumbles into while reading is theirs to keep. Additionally, the writing of this thesis allowed me to negotiate my past and traumatic experiences in meaningful ways, which is evident in this final product.

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