Name: Shawn Elizabeth George
Age: 41
Diagnosis: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC)
Years of Survivorship: 3 years
Location: Avon, CT

Follow Shawn on Instagram.

How has running or staying physically active affected your cancer journey?

I have always loved being active, yet running has never been my thing. I have always preferred working out in my basement to Beachbody workouts and going on walks with my dog on the trails by my home. Staying active was something I was not willing to let go of during my cancer journey, as I knew it would be therapeutic for me in mind, body and spirit to move my body. Although I had hoped to keep morning workouts going strong, the operation I had, to remove my tumor in my palate and nasal cavity, caused me to have to stop my morning workouts and walking became my primary way to remain active. When planning for my seven week stay in Boston for my treatments, my husband, Stephen, made it possible for me to keep walking daily because he knew how important it was to me. He found me a place to stay where I could still walk 2.5-3 miles to and from my treatments daily. The fresh air, walking along the river, and through a park, on my way to treatment was nourishment for my soul. Those daily walks helped keep me well in mind and spirit while my body was being treated for cancer.

What advice do you have for people on staying fit throughout their cancer treatment or recovery?

The fight isn’t just in our bodies. We need to do what we can to help keep our minds and spirit well during, and after, treatment. Being active is a wonderful way to take care of ourselves in mind and spirit. What we can do will differ for each of us. Find what you like to do, and what you are able to do, and go and do it. Doing what we are able to do isn’t just for our bodies wellbeing, but will help nourish us within as well.

What are some of your proudest accomplishments since being diagnosed with cancer?

Being able to live life beside my husband and kids with a renewed perspective on life. From birthdays, making it to games, concerts, family meals and movie nights, to those random day to day conversations I get with each of them, I am grateful. These really aren’t accomplishments but I learned how we take those things for granted. Now I have gained the perspective to see every one of these small moments with them is a gift; and I will do my best to treasure them.

As far as accomplishments, during my year of healing after treatments ended, I made a decision to use my cancerversaries to help others. For the anniversary of my surgery, I decided to host a dodgeball FUNdrasier in my town to help raise funds for rare cancer research. To date we have raised almost $20,000. It is a great way to bring community together, have fun while making a difference in the lives of others. Also, on the 1st anniversary of completing my treatment I launched my book, Our Struggles Have Purpose. OSHP has 55 life lessons I learned through my walk with cancer, from diagnosis through the end of treatment. I wrote the book to encourage others who are diagnosed, and give caretakers a glimpse into the experience of a cancer fighter.

How has Gabe's story impacted you or changed the way you view life as a cancer patient/survivor?

Gabe is an inspiration. My aunt sent her info my way when I was first diagnosed. I didn’t know her story and sent her an email. Gabe graciously responded and that started our ACC friendship. Once I learned more about her, I was inspired by how she knew how to still feel alive, even when fighting the battle for her life. When Gabe started “Brave Like Gabe” I saw how she was using her experience to help those beside her in the fight, and those who would be next in line. I am inspired to do what is mine to do to also help those beside me, and those next in line, fighting ACC. I am grateful for knowing Gabe and am inspired by her life and legacy. She will always be known and valued by our ACC family for the broad awareness she brought to ACC and how she showed us to live fully, no matter where we are on our journey.

What does being #BraveLikeshawn mean to you?

We all have battles. Whatever your battle, know you were made to be brave in it, not only for yourself, but maybe for those around you too. For maybe the battle we are fighting is to help others see that our battles don’t have to tear us down, but we can use them as stepping stones to help us rise into our best self; and inspire others to do the same.

What are you most looking forward to in the near future?

My kids turning 14, 13 and 8.

Also, I will be hosting our 3rd Annual Dodgeball FUNdraiser in my hometown for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma research. It is beautiful to see our community come together, have fun, while making a difference in the lives of others; in our ACC family.

Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you?

My ACC tumor was found in my nasal cavity and had grown into my palate. In March 2017, I had to have my palate, some teeth and gums removed to remove the tumor. As a wife, mom of three, and as an encouraging author and speaker, I wasn’t sure what I would look like or sounds like after my surgery. Yet, with the help of an obturator, which is an artificial palate, from the outside, no one would know the journey I have been through. This has given me great compassion with those with invisible wounds. I realize we all literally walk around with them, in some way, shape or form. I am truly grateful that since my walk with ACC, I have been able to continue sharing encouraging and hopeful messages with struggling hearts. I wholeheartedly believe my struggles have led me to my deeper purpose; to love those beside me, and those next in line.

#BraveLikeShawn