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DncingRetsuko

@dncingretsuko

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my IG is as random as I am...
charities / games / noms / pets / travel / cancer stuff 🤪
🦮 @rex.on.insta
💍 @jaws.of.troy

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USC/COH AYA Camp Retreat 2026 Sep 25-27
Fourth time going to this camp/retreat. Never posted but starting now. A lot has changed and a lot has stayed the same or stagnant in progress, but we're all here kicking life as cancer fighters and survivors. Appreciate everyone I've met through this camp this past 4 years.
Here's to many more!

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Last weekend's shenanigans with AYA@USC and AYA@COH

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Feeling grateful for the opportunity I had to meet amazing people, share memories to last a lifetime, and just be me! In one word this past weekend felt like HOME!

TY @elephantsandteamagazine and @yasurvivorsu for providing exactly what I needed time away from the everyday stress life brings to be surrounded by a community who just gets it!

#cancer #cancersurvivor #cancerawareness #cancersupport #cancerpatient

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I had no idea how much I needed Young Cancer Camp in my life. I met new friends, became closer with old friends, and just had the absolute best time around amazing people the last few days. Thank you @elephantsandteamagazine and @yasurvivorsu for creating something so magical!

5ish crew with crazy flying deers for life! 🦌🦌🦌

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Cancer Camp Draft Day 2026 Room 5.0

#Cancer #cancersurvivor #cancerpatient #cancercamp #draftday

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Salty Seagull pattern tester appreciation! I’ve got another round of cheeky patterns open for testing in my stories.

Many thanks to these who helped my pesky pooping bird take flight:
@amy_gurumi413
@feelinfroggycrochet
@dncingretsuko
@runningreader
Clare E.G.
Melissa A.
Plus others!

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“Why did I have to get a weird cancer nobody’s ever heard of?”

Meet, X. (Name has been changed out of respect for privacy.) X, is a half-marathon runner and dancer, a wife, a dog mom, crafty in illustration and crochet, and has a career in chemical engineering. On Valentine’s Day 2023 at 34 years old, X was diagnosed with stage 2 mucoepidermoid carcinoma, a rare salivary gland cancer, which typically affects smokers and African American males over the age of 60. None of those characteristics match this case. Her diagnosis led to two surgeries and 30 rounds of radiation, permanent xerostomia (dry mouth), lifelong dental problems including multiple cavities, and a misaligned jaw.

X and I rolled into a conversation about how awareness for most cancers in young women outside of breast cancer is minimal. (Full transparency - I had not heard of salivary gland cancer until meeting X myself.) She found support groups nearly nonexistent because approximately 80% of tumors in the parotid gland are benign. This is where the AYA community comes in. This is where we recognize the unique set of challenges being diagnosed with a cancer in your 30s vs. your 70s. All challenges are valid, but getting this diagnosis while you’re in your final semester at grad school like X, derails your future as you once saw it.

Thank you for sharing your story through Under the Pencil and for raising awareness of a lesser known, yet just as important, cancer.

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There’s not enough words to say how I feel after this event. There’s not enough words to describe the incredible connections I made. But I will say this… this year I was in a place (personally) to ask more questions, to dive deeper emotionally (even when I didn’t know I needed it), there was unexpected creative processing that happened. This event made me realize how much more I want to be involved and step into advocacy. I’m so grateful to the friends I got to reconnect with and the new ones I made. I know I’m missing tagging some people but I love you all. I’m already counting the days till next year. #ayacancersurvivors #stupidcancer #elephantsandtea

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THANK YOU @stupidcancer for the gift of CancerCon and the opportunity to find joy and community amongst hundreds of peers from across the nation 🥹🎗️💫 My heart is full and spark ignited 💥 I miss everyone already, adored my first visit to Seattle, and cant wait for next year in Cleveland!
**Shout out to the birthday queen @barefootostomate who is the reason I discovered this community two years ago and has cheered me on every step all the way to CancerCon! 💙🍑

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what an incredibly healing and empowering weekend🥹✨

I’ve been to a lot of conferences over the last year, but now I understand why AYAs say that cancercon is special. I met online friends in real life and made new friends in real life that I will stay connected with online. the topics covered and the sessions offered were unlike anything I’ve experienced. I’ve always said that it’s glaringly obvious when companies/organizations don’t have the patient voice in the room when making decisions or launching programs. @stupidcancer gets it right. the programming was flawlessly curated to the point where I had to make tough decisions on which sessions to attend. thank you for creating a space where community and connection blossom so effortlessly.

I wouldn’t have had this experience without @cheekycharity’s generosity and trust. I’m honored to have the opportunity to represent an organization that has been such a crucial part of my journey and that means so much to me. seeing attendees with our pins on and hearing how much they love our sparkly rainbow butt stickers brought me so much joy. it’s a reminder that the conversation around colorectal cancer doesn’t have to be awkward or uncomfortable.

I went into this weekend with a heavy heart and the thought that maybe my impact was starting to fall short. but without fail, community was there with the reminder to shift my focus to where I feel seen, understood, and irreplaceable🤍
________
#cancersurvivor #communitysupport #cancercommunity #colorectalcancer #ayacancer

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CancerCon 2026 💐

I came to this event not knowing what to expect, but I came out beaming with inspiration, connections, and community. This year, I am embarking on a journey of healing to accept a huge part of my identity shaped by cancer, what has happened to me 10 years ago when I first took on the role as a caregiver and later cancer survivor when I was 21 years old. Now, 10 years later I feel hopeful to serve this population as a healthcare provider and advocate for the AYA community in elevating the stories of individuals impacted by cancer.

It is reassuring to feel that I am not alone, feel seen as a human being and not my diagnosis, and to find a community that has made a lasting impact on me in just 4 days. So many laughs, tears, and memories made in Seattle. Thank you @stupidcancer for the scholarship and for making my first CancerCon unforgettable.

I left CancerCon embracing my identity as a proud cancer survivor, caregiver, and soon to be occupational therapist #cancercon2026

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Last day in the Island. What a great group 😍

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