Welcome back to Alexa Loves AYA’s! Each week I dedicate a song to adolescent/young adults (AYA) with cancer or a serious/chronic illness and share some encouraging words along with it. I usually post on Saturday, but today is the two year anniversary of when Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, Texas. Since I am a patient at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, I wanted to share some thoughts about Harvey. I will be talking more about it tomorrow, but this song is also dedicated to the incredible people of Houston.

I have a real treat for you today! I actually just learned about this band. When I heard this song the first time I couldn’t help but think of AYA’s. It quickly became a personal anthem for me. My song for you today is “On The Inside” by GFM. They are a rock group made up of sisters. I know it may be more intense than you are used to, but give it a shot!

I love seeing metal screaming with their girly and glamorous look. They call it Beautycore!

I dedicate this song to you while you are in the process of rebuilding your life in the aftermath of your situation. I know cancer or illness is a hurricane that throws everything into chaos. Your job, education, relationships, social life and dreams. It doesn’t care! I remember visiting Houston for the first time after Hurricane Harvey. You could see how high the flooding hit. But what struck me the most was the trees and flowers lacked color, like their spirit was drained out with the water. I saw places I knew so well become empty with “Closed for Renovations. God Bless Houston!” signs on them. To say it was devastating doesn’t begin to do it justice.

Houston isn’t exactly the same as it was, but guess what? Those closed establishments came back with booming business. The water finally dried out. Color returned to nature after all. I don’t know what rebuilding your life looks like for you. It could be anything from trying to get your pain under control in daily life or picking up where you left off in school for your career dreams. I want you to know that I believe in you as much as I believed in Houston! I believe you ARE rebuilding. While It might look different than your previous life did, I believe you will survive the challenge of putting things back together in a way that works for you. There IS so much left to your story, even with the new found physical and emotional scars. If it helps to scream this song in the mirror as a reminder, go for it! I’m in the process of rebuilding my own life right beside you. We will get through this!

FYI: GFM has some fun vlogs from touring that you might enjoy watching if you are bored at the hospital or can’t sleep. You can check them out at their YouTube page.

Thanks for tuning in to this edition of the Alexa Loves AYA’s and spending part of your evening with me. Feel free to send a link or tag on social media if a loved one needs to hear this. I look forward to dedicating another song to you and expressing my more of heart next week! I can’t wait to visit with you again, dear friend.