Episode Title: Dear Cancer: A Letter of Appreciation - Finding Gratitude 19 Years Later
Episode Description: In this deeply moving episode, Laura Davis shares a letter she wrote to cancer—not a letter of anger or defeat, but one of unexpected appreciation. Nineteen years after her initial diagnosis, Laura reflects on how cancer transformed her life and her understanding of what truly matters. Laura was 50 years old when her doctor first felt a lump during a routine exam, setting in motion a year that would test every fiber of her being. With two young children still at home—Eli, fourteen, and Lizzy, ten—and a thriving career as a writing teacher and self-employed entrepreneur, Laura's life was full of creation, purpose, and relentless doing.
Then came the biopsy, the diagnosis, and the devastating realization that everything would change. Through biopsies, lymph node dissection, surgeries, radiation, and six months of nurses injecting chemotherapy into her veins while wearing lead-lined smocks, Laura navigated the cancer underworld with one singular prayer that kept her going. This episode explores the raw experience of facing mortality, the physical toll of treatment, and the profound shift in perspective that comes when life forces you to stop.
Laura's story is not just about surviving cancer—it's about discovering what happens when you're given the gift of time you weren't sure you'd have. From the fear of not seeing her children graduate from high school to the joy of watching them grow into adults and parents themselves, Laura's journey spans nineteen years of reflection. This episode reveals how gratitude can emerge from the most unexpected places, and how looking back with appreciation can transform even the most devastating experiences.
Episode Highlights:
Key moments from Laura's cancer journey:
Laura opens with a powerful statement that sets the tone for the entire episode, expressing gratitude to cancer for nineteen years of life since diagnosis. At age 50, during what she describes as a period when her life was "rife with creation, parenting, and doing," Laura’s doctor first felt a lump during a routine breast exam. Within days of that discovery, she walked into the Stanford Cancer Center for the first time, experiencing the surreal shock of entering what felt like a vast, unknown world dedicated to treating one disease.
The episode captures the visceral memory of that first biopsy—the gentle-voiced doctor, the rushing in Laura's head and body, and the moment everything changed. Laura was bald within months, having lost 45 pounds, and found herself in a year-long battle that included surgeries, radiation, and half a year of chemotherapy treatments.
Throughout the treatment, Laura maintained one simple prayer that became her lifeline: "Please just let me live till they graduate from high school." This mantra sustained her through the darkest moments when she questioned whether she would survive to see Eli and Lizzy reach this milestone.
The episode takes listeners through the physical and emotional terrain of Laura's cancer year—from the fear and uncertainty to the forced pause in her normally relentless pace. Laura shares how she couldn't eat during treatment, how the weight fell off her body, and how nurses wore lead-lined smocks as they administered chemotherapy.
Laura fast-forwards nineteen years to reveal the outcome of her prayer. Not only did she survive to see both children graduate from high school, but she also witnessed them graduate from college, watched them find partners, and experienced the profound joy of becoming a grandmother. She then reflects on gratitude—how looking back with appreciation has transformed her understanding of that devastating year and given her an unexpected gift of perspective. And looks ahead to the new challenges she is facing.
About Host Laura Davis
Laura Davis is an acclaimed author and writing teacher with over 35 years of experience helping writers find and shape their authentic voices. Her award-winning memoir, "The Burning Light of Two Stars," won the prestigious BookLit Prize in 2021, cementing her reputation as a master storyteller who brings both technical skill and deep emotional honesty to her work.
As a professional writing teacher, Laura has led retreats, taught workshops, and mentored countless writers through the vulnerable process of telling their stories. Her expertise spans memoir, creative nonfiction, and personal essay writing, with a particular gift for helping writers navigate difficult subject matter with grace and power. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the therapeutic power of writing and the importance of documenting our journeys for future generations.
Through her books, teaching, and workshops, Laura has touched thousands of lives, helping people understand that their stories matter and that even the most painful experiences can be transformed through the act of writing. Her work demonstrates that memoir is not just about recording events—it's about finding meaning, healing wounds, and connecting with others through shared human experience.
Connect with Laura Davis:
Laura Davis invites listeners to continue the conversation and deepen their connection through multiple channels:
Subscribe to Laura's Newsletter: Join Laura's email community to receive exclusive writing tips, announcements about upcoming workshops and retreats, and first access to new resources for memoir writers. Subscribers also get periodic inspiration for their writing practice and updates on Laura's ongoing projects. www.lauradavis.net
Subscribe to Laura on Substack: https://laurasaridavis.substack.com/about
Attend Laura's Workshops and Retreats: Laura offers writing retreats, workshops, and one-on-one coaching for writers at all levels. These immersive experiences provide focused time and expert guidance to help you develop your memoir or personal essay. Check Laura's website for current offerings and registration information. www.lauradavis.net
Explore Laura's Books: Visit your local bookstore or online retailers to purchase "The Burning Light of Two Stars" and Laura's other works. Reading Laura's memoir provides a masterclass in how to craft powerful, authentic narratives about difficult life experiences.
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Until next time, remember that your story matters, and that even the most challenging chapters of our lives can become sources of wisdom, healing, and connection for ourselves and others.
