Published Aug 6, 2020

‘Survivor’s’ Sunday Burquest Keeps It Real In Touching Essay About Her Battle With Two Separate Cancers

Details

Sunday Burquest has proven to be a formidable opponent on reality competition show Survivor, but now she’s facing the ultimate challenge a double cancer battle. In a remarkable example of resilience, she is proving to everyone that she plans to fight til the very end, and is confident a miracle will happen.

Burquest, 49, overcame a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis in 2012, but in June she announced that she had been diagnosed with both ovarian and esophageal cancer. To share her journey with fans, she penned a touching essay for People, detailing how she found out about the diagnoses and the reason why she’s confident she’ll beat both diseases.

“I have an amazing tribe supporting me: my husband, four amazing kids and two daughters-in-law. My biggest concern was putting my kids through another cancer diagnosis. While it hasn’t been easy, they’re quick to ask what I need,” Burquest wrote. “My family and friends have stepped up in so many areas. The messages and cards I receive have kept me going on my hardest days.”

Understandably, Burquest’s double diagnosis came as a complete blindside, and according to her essay, she is undergoing chemotherapy to manage the tumors. Despite doctors saying she may only have a few months to two years left to live, she’s clearly a fighter. To help Burquest with her treatment, former contestants of the show who started the Facebook group “Survivor Mom Squad” set up a GoFundMe which has raised over $40,000 so far.

“I stand by my faith and the belief that I will see a miracle,” she wrote. “The real blindside will come when I can tell the world I'm cancer-free. I find hope in five simple words: The Stage Has Been Set.”

Ovarian cancer survivor Helene Unger says cancer patients are much stronger than they realize

Why Mindset Is Important Through Cancer Treatment

Numerous experts have told SurvivorNet that mindset and optimism can help patients tremendously throughout treatment. By feeling supported and remaining positive, it encourages people to keep fighting throughout the experience.

"We call it 'eye of the tiger,’" says Dr. Sid Ganguly, Deputy Director of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics at the University of Kansas Medical Center. "You have to have the eye of the tiger to go through this grueling process that is necessary these days to get rid of these virulent and aggressive cancers."

The “eye of the tiger” mindset includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, and most importantly a positive attitude. For those whose minds are overcome with thoughts and emotions, Dr. Ganguly says meditation can be a valuable resource in order to clear their minds.

Dr. Sid Ganguly explains how a positive mindset can help patients through cancer treatment

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

SurvivorNetTV.
Hope. Science.
Inspiration.

WATCH NOW