Name: Peter Mazereeuw

Current age: 20

Age at diagnosis: 18

Cancer Type: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia - finishing treatment soon

What brings you to this site? I saw a link posted on the Young Adult Cancer Canada website, and was excited to see a group that dealt specifically with leukaemia

Favourite quote: "No one is dying, they are either alive or dead"- Dr. Bernie S. Siegel

Favourite colour: Red

Favourite music: Sublime, Metallica, Silverchair, and a million others

Favourite book: 1984, because it makes you look at where we could end up if we don’t keep government in check

My top three tips for healing…
(1) Don’t be afraid to think through negative feelings...go to the dark place and think about why you are there instead of ignoring it
(2) exercise when possible, it is a great way to work through frustration
(3) when you’re really feeling crappy, do the little things that will make you happy right now...pet your dog, watch a funny movie, or eat something chocolate

What I would have changed about my hospital experience...
I would have had fewer of them! But really I would have tried to get in contact with a group like this sooner, or someone who was dealing with the same physical side effects as me during heavy treatment. Also hospital food sucks worse than airplane food, so I would have had more visitors bring me food.

The things that help/ helped me get through treatment...
Hours of bad daytime TV, living one day at a time (I know it’s a cliché but it is true) instead of worrying about the future, and connecting with other young adult cancer survivors who understood what I was going through.

Surviving cancer has made me a better person because...
I don’t sweat the small stuff as much anymore, I know I’ve already beaten the biggest challenge I could ever face.

The most important lesson I’ve learnt in life…
Strength of character and mind is the most important thing you can have in life, because no one can take that away from you.

The person I’d most like to meet and why...
Hunter S. Thompson, because he might just be the most interesting/fun/crazy person I’ve ever heard of, and I wish I could write like him. But he’s dead, so I’ll say John Stewart.

The people I love and why… funny people who don’t take themselves too seriously, because they are a lot more fun to talk to

The people I love to hate and why… gangster wannabe kids, anyone who pops their collar. Self explanatory.

If I had a million dollars I would... Buy a house and a car, pay for University, and travel the world.

My most memorable experience… Spending a week kayaking off the coast of Vancouver.

Happiness is... lying in a hammock on a warm day

Any final remarks? You know your own body better than any doctor, so don’t ignore your instincts. Remember that the future usually isn’t as bleak as you might think it will be.

Thanks Peter for your time!

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