ADVERTISEMENT

I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2014, which included chemotherapy, radiation, multiple surgeries and an ostomy bag. This happened while working full time as a therapist and being married with a small child. I'm currently cancer free, but the experience was a complete life-changer.

To cope with the process, I started drawing up a comic while recovering from my first surgery in the hospital. I drew a cute little owl and Cancer Owl was born. I attempted to articulate what was so hard to articulate in the cancer experience: how it feels to have chemotherapy and radiation, working while in treatment, the emotional highs and lows, combatting the terrible misconceptions about cancer, and dealing with others who (sometimes poorly) attempt to deal with you while going through treatment. I also stuck with drawing animals only, and using bright colors and fun fonts.

Long story short: this resonated with people. Especially those going through the cancer experience. I get messages and emails almost every day, and people started sharing their stories. I've had many people tell me it got through a rough patch or it was the first time they smiled in months. Now that I've told my story through many comics, I devote most of my comics to telling other people's stories. I believe that the more people share their stories, the more we lessen the stigma and help anyone dealing with this damned disease to not feel so alone.

More info: cancerowl.com

#1

Good Patient

Good Patient

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Master Markus
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least 1, maybe 3, and 4 are quite similar to how people talk about depression.

View more commentsArrow down menu
RELATED:
    #3

    Really

    Really

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    İdil
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of our family friends lost their daughter to an agressive form of cancer. The sad thing is, doctors kept giving her antibiotics and +

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Emojis

    Emojis

    Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Superstar

    Superstar

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    nameme the undieing
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    also the cancer patient the media loves tends to get cancer from something like saving puppies from nuclear waste and not say smoking or just bad jeans

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #11

    God

    God

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jace
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hate this attitude in religious people. It's the best example of the worst lack of empathy, all in the service of worshipping their magical sky daddy wish goblin.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #12

    Patient Rant

    Patient Rant

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    A.S. Galston
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's true, everyone seems to have an opinion about it. And my mom had to endure every single suggestion. Including, a few weeks before she died, someone making her watch "The Secret" and telling her she just had to want to get better. Fun times.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #14

    Haircut

    Haircut

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Aish Siva
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seriously, do people NOT know how to keep their thoughts to themselves? I mean I know so many adults who have opinions like this but they keep their mouths shut-none of yo business!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Splat!

    Splat!

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #18

    Carpe Diem

    Carpe Diem

    Report

    #19

    Owlet At The End Of The World

    Owlet At The End Of The World

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    nameme the undieing
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't like Trump but it disturbs me if people think he's ''as bad as Hitler'' or that his supporters are ''subhuman'' or ''deserve to die''

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #21

    Ew

    Ew

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Daria B
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I dunno, I wouldn't be so harsh about the teen here. This could have as well been their own way of expressing the "man, that sucks" feeling. But I weren't there, so, who knows....

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #23

    Friends

    Friends

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ie Va
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "My Plans" is an imaginary friend. For everyone, ill or healthy.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #24

    Dealing With Cancer

    Dealing With Cancer

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Rhân
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think, sadly it can be a risk if you're on chemo therapy and someone hugs you. So, I would say, if you want to hug a person with cancer, ask before. maybe I'm wrong, but asking costs nothing, so what.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #27

    Braaaaaaaaaaiiiins

    Braaaaaaaaaaiiiins

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #28

    Hollywood Vs Real Life

    Hollywood Vs Real Life

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Alia Gail
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Before my grandfather had cancer he and my grandma got along perfectly fine like a happy couple, but when he got pancreatic cancer they argued all the time until he died.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #29

    Whatever Works

    Whatever Works

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Anouk
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OK - all these cartoons are just amazing and funny and moving and thought provoking but this one just made me spit up my coffee. Great job, Matt xx

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #30

    Felling Good

    Felling Good

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #31

    Peace

    Peace

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    coffee zombie
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I read a book once about HELA cells. They are cancerous but have helped so much in the medical field especially in helping eradicate polio. It's ironic but those cancerous cells have saved alot of lives.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #32

    Rock The Chemo

    Rock The Chemo

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #34

    Happy

    Happy

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Aish Siva
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ya know, chemicals in our food, environment and the products we use daily are a major cause of cancer but to cure it, unfortunately we can't just passively wish it away or use some random, newly discovered "power food". Also Ayurvedic medicine IS a thing but it is also scientifically backed (albeit in a different scientific language)-it's not just random s**t like "the internet said Kale so just drink a s**t of it and that's enough" but enough people seem to have 0 scientific knowledge about any type of natural remedy.

    #35

    Having Cancer (part 1)

    Having Cancer (part 1)

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Anouk
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'a tumor the size of an elephant turd'... loooool dammit!!!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #36

    Lightweight

    Lightweight

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #37

    Mail

    Mail

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Aish Siva
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was a door to door sales rep once and I tried to sign up this old man one day. We did a credit score check and he came back with a REALLY low score and it said if he wanted cable, he needed to pay a $200 refundable deposit. He told me that the reason he had such a s****y score is because while he was busy taking care of his ailing wife of 40 years who had cancer, some ASSHAT stole his identity and used all his savings and depleted his bank account. In the end, he could barely afford medicine for his poor wife and she died in so much pain. He didn't even have the $200 for the deposit because he was living paycheck to paycheck, having either lost most of the money to the identity thief or having spent it on his wife. It was an awful story. The look on that man's face when he told me he lost the love of his life...omg.

    #38

    Prognosis

    Prognosis

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    A.S. Galston
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This comic gets to me so much. My mom was a lifelong vegetarian who faithfully exercised and was really into health. While she had cancer she went vegan, cut out all sugar, and started juicing beats and carrots. She died in 3 years later.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #39

    Having Cancer (part 2)

    Having Cancer (part 2)

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #40

    Healthy

    Healthy

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Pi...
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not just cancer,but even when ur sick with other stuff n ppl force food down ur throat! They don't know how horrible it tastes at that time!

    #41

    Tv

    Tv

    Report

    Add photo comments
    POST