Blog 4: Working EQ

The Pentagon:

(1) Positive Statement: What positive things happen as a result on the interview?

•  As a result of the interview, I was able to come face to face with a cancer survivor. I have known Jason Cresswell for three years. However, I never knew all the things he told me at the interview. I didn't know he got cancer as a child. I didn't know he was still going through complications with the radiation he received a child. I have always known he was a cancer survivor. I just didn't know the little details about his cancer experience. In this case, the little details were the big details.

(2) EQ Content:  How did it help you better understand your topic?

•  Jason helped me better understand my topic because he gave me an answer to my essential question, which is: " What brings the most comfort to a cancer patient/survivor?" Also, he gave me a certain perspective on what cancer survivorship is all about. He proved to me that there is hope even if you do have cancer. He also has changed as an overall person. His life has changed. He has made me realize that cancer really does stay with you your whole life.

 (3) What worked in the interview?

• Jason and I kept a fluid conversation. There wasn't any awkward silences or lengthy pauses.  He answered all of my questions with such enthusiasm and insight. I actually ended up asking more questions than planned because the conversation was going really well and I felt like I just wanted to know more and more about cancer survivorship.

(4) What didn't work?

• This interview did go really well and I don't feel like there was anything that went wrong. I guess the fact that he didn't have any books to recommend to me was the only downfall of the interview. However, I have found a book myself entitled "Patient's Voice: Experiences of Illness". I got this book from the City of Hope library.

(5) Finding Value:  Who would you like to talk to you next and why? 

• I would like to talk to Rachel Shur next. She was my mentor over the summer. I was initially going to interview her for my first interview, but I did not have time to go all the way to Thousand Oaks last week due to transportation issues. However, I believe I will have the opportunity to visit her this time.  She is a really great person who is larger than life and has such a beautiful view of the world now as a cancer survivor of Leukemia. I really admire her and everything that her organization UCAAN contributes to the cancer survivor community.