# Kanserle Değil, Kendi Yolumla Tanımlandım | Ceren Atmaca | TEDxErbakir Fen Lisesi Youth Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRWW6ckQE1E Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/QRWW6ckQE1E Generated: 2026-01-09T16:07:46.541+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The speaker, Ceren Atmaca, shares her deeply personal story about overcoming breast cancer at age 33, detailing the emotional and physical toll, including the loss of her mother and father, and how she ultimately found strength and a new path, leading her to write books about her experiences, particularly focusing on her relationship with her cat, Mira. **Key Points:** - The speaker, Ceren Atmaca, received a diagnosis of third-stage breast cancer at age 33, which involved a major surgery (including the removal of her breast and the colon) and subsequent stoma bag usage. - She lost both her mother and father during her illness, emphasizing the profound emotional weight of her experience. - The speaker initially felt society pressured her to hide her illness, but she decided to write books, including one titled 'Sen Ben Yok Ya Sunrim' (You Don't Exist, So I Smile) and children's books like 'Patilerin Masalı' (The Tale of Paws). - A significant source of comfort during her difficult recovery was her cat, Mira, who was her first photo subject after surgery and helped her through chemotherapy. - The experience of cancer and loss shifted her perspective, making her realize that the path she was on before (working in a different sector) was not her true path, leading her to pursue writing and communication. - She concludes by sharing that she received an overwhelming amount of support and messages on social media after sharing her story, demonstrating the power of vulnerability. - The presentation took place at TEDxErbakir Fen Lisesi Youth, with a backdrop featuring her book covers and a picture of her smiling with her cat. ![Screenshot at 00:16: The speaker, Ceren Atmaca, introduces herself on the TEDx stage, setting the scene for her personal story about overcoming cancer and finding a new path in life.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/QRWW6ckQE1E/00-00-16.jpg) **Context:** This video is a personal narrative presented at a TEDxYouth event hosted by Erbakır Fen Lisesi in Denizli. The speaker, Ceren Atmaca, shares her journey through a severe health crisis—Stage 3 breast cancer diagnosed at age 33—which involved significant physical challenges, emotional loss (her parents), and a subsequent shift in her life's direction and career focus toward writing, inspired in part by her cat, Mira. ## Detailed Analysis Ceren Atmaca begins by thanking the audience and introducing herself as a 33-year-old from Denizli. She recounts that during her high school years, she worked in a sector completely different from her current path, living what she perceived as a 'standard' life. This changed drastically when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, which required a major operation that included the removal of her breast and the creation of a colostomy. During this difficult period, she also lost both her mother and father. She recounts a specific moment waking up after surgery with a colostomy bag, feeling immense fear that she would not be able to carry this burden. She states that her cat, Mira, became a huge source of comfort, being the first subject she photographed after surgery. During chemotherapy, she felt immense societal pressure, realizing that many people, including relatives, expected her to hide her struggle or not complain, exemplified by the phrase, 'Don't worry, it will pass.' However, she refused to internalize this pressure to minimize her pain. She then decided to write, not just to document her experience, but to frame it creatively, eventually publishing books like 'Patilerin Masalı' (The Tale of Paws) and 'Yaşasın Yaşamak' (Long Live Living). The experience fundamentally changed her outlook; she realized her previous career path was not her true calling and began pursuing writing and editorial work. She concludes by noting that sharing her story, even the difficult parts, resulted in an outpouring of support and connection from thousands of people, demonstrating the power of authentic sharing. ### Introduction and Background - Speaker introduces herself as Ceren Atmaca from Denizli, age 33, and contrasts her past life of perceived normalcy with her current reality. ### Cancer Diagnosis and Physical Toll - Describes receiving a Stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis, undergoing major surgery including mastectomy and colostomy, and the subsequent need to live with a stoma bag. ### Emotional Impact and Loss - Details the profound emotional struggle, including the loss of both her mother and father during her illness, and the pressure from society/relatives to minimize her suffering. ### Finding Solace in Mira - Highlights her cat, Mira, as a source of emotional support, noting Mira was the first thing she photographed after surgery and that they recovered together. ### Shift in Life Path - The experience forced a life re-evaluation, leading her to abandon her previous career path and pursue writing and literature, including children's books. ### Literary Works and Resilience - Mentions publishing books like 'Sen Ben Yok Ya Sunrim' and 'Yaşasın Yaşamak,' signifying her refusal to let the illness define her negatively, and notes the positive community response to her story. ![Screenshot at 00:01: Opening title slide for TEDx ErbakırFenLisesi Youth event.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/QRWW6ckQE1E/00-00-01.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:08: The speaker stands on the red circular stage in front of the TEDx backdrop.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/QRWW6ckQE1E/00-00-08.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:11: Close-up of the speaker gesturing while explaining her mindset during her illness.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/QRWW6ckQE1E/00-01-11.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:36: The screen behind the speaker displays her published book covers, including 'Sen Ben Yok Ya Sunrim'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/QRWW6ckQE1E/00-03-36.jpg) ![Screenshot at 06:51: The projection screen changes to show a picture of the speaker post-treatment, smiling while holding a kitten named Mira.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/QRWW6ckQE1E/00-06-51.jpg)