When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, my boyfriend Michael and I were still in the beginning stages of our relationship.

It was 2005, and 47-year-old Rick Crowley had a lump growing in his neck. The first biopsy indicated that it was benign, but his doctors in Olean, New York, were not convinced. A good thing, too: The second biopsy found cancer.

I tried to ignore the pain and the feeling of being “off.” But one day, after struggling through a few minutes of yet another bad run, I stopped in mid-stride, pulled out my phone, and called my doctor.

Thoughts have the power to affect our attitude and emotions. And, when dealing with something difficult, like a cancer diagnosis, repeating certain phrases or words can help you shape your thoughts and cope with situations outside of your control.

Music has many benefits. It can create encouragement, motivation, determination, resilience, and the ability to cope. Most importantly, it can heal. Sometimes when there are no words or there is nothing to say, music says it all.

Two-time cancer survivor, Elyse NeMoyer, explains how research helped save her life.

A cancer survivor reflects on his decades-long experience with cancer and shares his secret to moving forward.