Discussion Questions

Even though Faith, Hope, and Cancer is about my cancer experience, I have been told that individuals with strokes, adult cancers, and people from other religions can relate to my story. It can be used as a teaching tool to help anyone understand what someone with cancer might be going through, cope with a traumatic experience, loss of friends, depression, or learn about their own faith.

Being that I was 13 when I was diagnosed, I wrote this book with the mindset that children as young as the eighth grade could read this book, with the guidance of an adult.

Please note: Chapter 18 of the book touches on depression and suicidal thoughts. It is
important to explain this to individuals ahead of reading and to be sure to handle the discussion of mental health appropriately. The entire chapter could be used as a unit on its own as the author very vividly describes depression following her cancer diagnosis. An important takeaway from the chapter is the final paragraph which helps to encourage the reader that “life is worth living.”

Please contact me at leukemiagirl94@gmail.com if you are interested in:
• A virtual or in-person visit with the author
• Purchasing multiple copies of my book for your class, organization, or book club, discounted rates are available

As a leader, you can pick and choose which questions you feel are best for your audience.

Chapter 1 – Miracles Do Happen

• Carolyn says everyone has a defining moment in their life. Has something ever happened in your life that changed the way you viewed the world or caused you to change paths?
• Have you ever thought someone you knew well, a parent, friend, or teacher didn’t believe you? How did that make you feel?
• Have you ever pretended something was ok when really it wasn’t? What happened? Did you eventually tell the truth?
• Did you ever not believe someone and then find out it was true? How did this make you feel? What did you do?
• Has there been a time in your life when you have struggled and felt isolated?
• How did that make you feel?
• What is the worst pain you have ever felt? How long did it last? How did you cope with it?
• Describe a time when God answered your prayers or when something you wished for came true (your “miracle”).

Chapter 2 – The C Word

• Has a priest or counselor ever impacted your life and offered much-needed support?  How did it change you?
• Carolyn said pain ruled her life. What “rules” your life?
• Do you have someone from whom you have received helpful advice? Explain.
• Do you know anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening illness?  How has that affected you?  Were you aware of what they were experiencing? If so, how did you know?
• Carolyn grabbed her stuffed animals as she left for the hospital. What would you grab if you only had a few minutes to grab something that would comfort you? 

Chapter 3 – Initial Hospitalization

• Carolyn’s life turned upside down. During covid, did your world seem to turn upside down? What was the biggest initial change to which you had to adjust? Did someone help you during this time? Was there another time you can think of that “turned your world upside down”? Explain
• Think about the last time you were sick or your personal “life has turned upside down” experience. Now think about that lasting 2 ½ years, what are your thoughts?
• What did Carolyn and her mom make a list of each night? Have you ever thought of making a list like that?
• How do you think Carolyn felt when she said her diagnosis changed her life?

Chapter 4 – Staff Who Just Don’t Get It

• How do you cope with dealing with difficult people?
• How can you tell if someone has heard you?
• Why don’t you think Carolyn’s mom didn’t know where things were in the hospital?
• Have you ever had someone in charge not understand you or your point of view? How did it make you feel? Were you able to do anything about it?
• Have you ever been the one in charge who didn’t take the time to discover another’s point of view? Is there anything you would do differently now?

Chapter 5 – Treatment

• What do you do when you are bored?
• How do you fill your time when you have to wait?
• How do you distract yourself when you know you have to face something unpleasant like going to the dentist or getting a shot?
• When you are faced with something you don’t want to do or are scared to do. Are you a “just let’s get this over with or do I need time to think about this” person?
•  Remember there was no technology in 1994 to connect with others. If you didn’t have the internet to connect with others or play games to spend time, what do you think you would be doing to fill in the hours so you wouldn’t get bored?

Chapter 6 – God Works in Mysterious Ways

• Have you ever experienced a miracle or know someone who has?
• Do you believe in angels or people who seem angelic?
• Have you ever had to convince someone you were right when everyone thought you were wrong? How did you feel about this and how did you accomplish it?

Chapter 7 – Control

• How do you seek control in your life?
• How do you feel when someone tells you that you have to do something, even though you don’t want to?
• Do you control your life? If not, who does?
• Carolyn had her stuffed dog, Katie. Do you have something that gives you comfort when you are hurt, sad, or lonely?

Chapter 8 – Family

• Has someone in your family (or in your life) been diagnosed with a serious illness?
• How did your life change with the news someone was extremely ill? 
• How was the life of your family and friends changed?
• Think about a time when your life changed. Which changes were good? Which changes had a negative impact?
• What does Carolyn mean when she talks about everyone having different viewpoints?

Chapter 9 – Friendships

• Are you still friends with your friends from elementary school? If not, have you ever thought about reaching out to them?
• What does being a friend mean to you?
• Has anyone stopped being your friend due to a misunderstanding?  Were you able to resolve the issue and mend the friendship?
• How do you support your friends?

Chapter 10 – School

• How would you describe your teen years so far? Do you feel like you fit in, or do you feel like a bit of an outsider?
• Is being popular important to you?
• Have you ever made fun of someone or been made fun of? How did that make you feel, how do you think that made the other person feel?
• What are/were your priorities in school…how have they changed?
• What are/were your expectations in high school?  What if a cancer diagnosis prevented you from having those experiences? How would that make you feel?
• What could you do to help another student fit in? How can you show empathy?
• Have you ever disagreed with a teacher, coach, or boss over an assignment or a call made?  How did you handle it?

Chapter 11 – Transition of Care

• Carolyn begins to learn how to navigate being an adult as soon as she turns 18. Having always relied on her parents, what do you think it was like to suddenly be “in charge” of her own medical decisions?
• Explain your thoughts on the following statement: “Giving teens the ability to take control of their care helps prepare them for adulthood.” Do you agree? Why?
• Why do you think that children with cancer should be informed and given as much knowledge as possible about their diagnosis and treatments?

Chapter 12 – The Happiest Place on Earth

• What are your is “happy place”?
• What about this place makes you happy?
• How often do you go to your happy place?
• Do you invite others there or is it just for you? Explain.

Chapter 13 – Dolphins

• How often do you laugh?
• Do you know someone who always makes you laugh?
• Have you ever helped someone to make a good decision? How did that make you feel?
• Do you laugh at others? Or with others?
• Why did Carolyn feel such joy from dolphins? What gives you joy?

Chapter 14 – Bald Is Beautiful

• Is there a time in your life when you did something to help a cause?
• Have you ever been bald due to cancer or know someone who was? What are your thoughts concerning this?
• When you look in a mirror, do you see your beautiful qualities, or do you struggle with self-esteem?
• Do you think you could shave your head to support someone else? What would you be willing to do to support someone?

Chapter 15 – Walking Away

• Has there been a time in your life when you felt like walking away? Did you? What made you stay?
• Have you ever been given a job and then felt criticized for what you did or how you performed?  How did you feel?  Did you give up or make changes to please another or yourself?
• Have you ever felt like you had to hide a part of yourself from someone?

Chapter 16 – Velvet

• Have you ever experienced a role reversal? How did it make you feel? Did it give you a greater appreciation for the other person?
• Have you ever had a pet that changed your life?
• Did you ever have an event you didn’t understand the purpose of and then find out years later that event prepared you for something later in life?

Chapter 17 – Death

• How do you view death? Is it a sad event or a celebration of life?
• Does death scare you? If it does who can you talk to about it?
• We all live in mortal time. What can you do now to live your best life?
• Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone you loved? How do you keep their memory alive?

Chapter 18 – Depression

• Carolyn experienced many “storms” in her life. We each experience storms in our lives; how have you weathered storms in the past?
• So often we think that we can fix the storms in our own lives by just burrowing down from the wind and the rain.  But if we have strong roots, we will endure the storm.  Do you feel like your faith has strong roots? If not your faith, what are your roots?
• Does music help calm you or change your mood?
• Have you ever been or had a good friend help you through a storm?
• Do you have someone to talk to if you are feeling depressed?
• How can you encourage yourself and those around you to remember Carolyn’s words: “Life is worth living”?
• Please talk about the 988 – National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline it is available 7 days a week/24hrs. Suicide is NOT the answer.

Chapter 19 – Faith

• Have you ever had a blessing in disguise, seeing the good from a bad situation?
• Do you have any questions for God about something that has happened or hasn’t happened and wondered about His plan?
• Have you ever been sent a sign or asked for a sign from God?
• Carolyn depended on your faith to get her through cancer. Do you have a faith that helps you through challenging times?
• Carolyn says her faith was not just in God or religion, but it was also in friends and family and doctors and medicine. What does she mean by this?

Chapter 20 – Power of Prayer

• What attitude helps you get through difficult times?
• Have you ever had an experience where the odds were totally stacked against you…i.e. tough team to play; hoping to go someplace special: and things fell into place as you had hoped?
• How did trusting in God help Carolyn overcome obstacles? What helps you to overcome obstacles?
• Why does Carolyn say she is not angry with God?

Chapter 21 – Trusting God

• If you could ask God for one thing right now, what would it be?
• How do you pray? Do you say formal prayers or informal ones?
• What are your thoughts on the Footprint Prayer or Guardian Angel Prayer?  Are there any other prayers that help you?
• Are there any songs where the lyrics have helped you through a tough time?
• Carolyn talks about what she calls “God moments”. What does she mean?
• Do you have moments in life that make you feel like someone is watching over you and helping you in life?

Chapter 22 – Being A Survivor

• We are all survivors of something, what makes you a survivor?
• Do you know a childhood cancer survivor? Do you know any cancer survivors?

Chapter 23 – The C Word…Again

• Often childhood cancer survivors are diagnosed with another cancer later in life. How did it make Carolyn feel to discover she had cancer again?
• Why is it important to pay close attention to changes in your skin and your body?
• Why do you think that cancer “takes a toll on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health”?

Chapter 24 – Advocacy and Awareness

• Is there a cause for which you are passionate?
• Do you know someone passionate about a cause?
• What is advocacy and why is it so important when it comes to childhood cancer or any kind of cancer?
• What are some ways that Carolyn advocates?
• What are some ways that you can be an advocate for childhood cancer?

Chapter 25 – Love Life, Live Life, Cherish Every Moment

• How can you spread hope in this world?
• Do you have a bucket list? What is something on it that you can do now? What is preventing you from completing your list?
• What have you done to inspire someone?
• Has anyone ever inspired you?

Chapter 26 – My Cancerversary

• How and why does Carolyn celebrate her “cancerversary”?
• Do you have a special date you celebrate in your life?
• Her story covered a lot of topics from fear, depression, and death to hope, faith, and joy. What parts had the biggest impact on you?

Final Thoughts

• What part of the book did you enjoy the most?
• Did anything in the book surprise you? 
• What did you learn from the book? 
• Is there anything we did not discuss that you would like to?
• Have any of your personal views changed because of this book? If so, how?
• What was your biggest takeaway from the book?