In this powerful new episode of osTEAo, our AYA (Adolescent and Young Adult) cancer community gets real about toxic positivity - the idea that you have to "stay positive" no matter what you're going through, and while it's often well-meaning, it can leave patients feeling unseen, isolated, and emotionally shut down.
In this candid and emotional conversation, OsteoWarriors share how constant encouragement to be upbeat, especially during chemotherapy, surgeries, or major life changes can invalidate their real struggles.
The conversation dives into what it means to truly support someone with cancer, not by “fixing” their mood but by offering thoughtful accommodations, inclusion without pressure, and support that meets people where they really are.
