Sunday Burquest was a cancer survivor when she appeared onSurvivor.
But you might not have known from watching the show.
(Which is why she had to go before she made it to the end.
Sunday Burquest of ‘Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X’.Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images
And go she did, ending up in seventh place.)
In the meantime, strap in for Sunday’sSurvivorQuarantine Questionnaire!
SUNDAY BURQUEST:First, I’ve been busy with family.
Either my husband or myself attended every one of my four kids' games, no matter the sport.
Unfortunately, for the second time in my life, I am dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
After beating breast cancer in 2012, a terminal cancer diagnosis was definitely not something I expected.
I launched a career as an inspirational/motivational speaker and founded Grit Girl, an online community for women.
Sadly, due to COVID, we were unable to keep all the employees.
What is your proudest moment ever from playingSurvivor?
My proudest moment was during our Tribal Council that ended in a rock draw.
The only good news about walking into that Tribal was knowing that my name was not in the mix.
Both alliances were ready to fight to keep their numbers.
Tribal Council was contentious from the beginning, and multiple conversations were taking place at the same time.
I was sitting in the middle of the warring alliances.
I immediately turned around and asked David, “Did you just say vote for Sunday”?
He shrugged his shoulders and I knew he was moving from that idea (thank God!).
I looked over at Will and Bret, and we agreed to stick to the plan.
Overhearing us, Adam and Hannah looked at me and asked, “What’s the plan?”
My hope was that if David played his idol, it would be wasted.
I was confident Ken wasn’t going to receive any votes.
My answer to Hannah’s question was “the plan is Ken.”
David played the idol for Ken unnecessarily, and the revote was between Hannah and Zeke.
Both sides knew it was imperative to keep the numbers, so there was definitely a feeling of desperation.
They believed me even though I was in the opposing alliance.
Hannah was especially upset about Jessica being the one out of the game instead of herself.
Even when we were in opposite alliances, we would talk after the tough Tribals.
What is your biggest regret from yourSurvivorexperience?
My biggest regret is that I played the game too cautiously with my words and actions.
My position leads to the second issue for me, which was playingSurvivoras a person of faith.
Honestly, I think I accomplished my goal and was very happy with how I played in that regard.
I also was very aware that all of my words would be scrutinized, analyzed and judged.
During the majority of my confessionals, I talked myself out of allowing myself to be me.
Our second immunity challenge was “The Ocean.”
The challenge plays out, I did my part well and the Gen-X tribe won.
Fast forward to watching the show that fall.
I just knew this would be highlighted in the episode.
How could it not be?
I was happy to see there was a “secret scene” released the next day.
I was asked several times why I never brought it up on the show.
On a completely opposite note, I’ll share a quick something that may surprise a few fans.
I never said a word.
But when you are cold, you are cold.
How do you feel about the edit you got on the show?
I have feelings about my edit that are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
There is no question that I got a quiet edit.
Honestly, it was really difficult to watch.
I felt invisible, for a very long time.
As these episodes continued, it was getting more and more difficult.
One player told me some of the most valuable advice I received throughout the process.
It helped me so much.
I was clear I wasthe momfor the season, and I was okay with that.
Do I wish more of what I said or did make the cut?
Of course, I’d be lying if I didn’t.
But I also know the story line is essential to the making of the show.
#LiveLikeSusie
What was it like coming back to regular society after being out there?
Was there culture shock or an adjustment coming back?
Coming home after the show was honestly the weirdest feeling ever.
Coming home to laundry and dishes and driving to my kids games felt like theTwilight Zone.
I discovered I was almost uncomfortable in my bed.
I even slept on the floor a few nights.
The day we left Fiji, I got a bug bite on my elbow.
By the time I flew from Fiji to L.A., my arm was starting to swell and turn red.
Later that night, I started to slur my words and ended up with a fever of 104.5.
The funny part about my hospital stay was that I was there the night of theKoah Ronglive finale.
My nurse asked if I liked the show, I giggled to myself and told her I did.
My nurse came running back into my room practically jumping up and down she was so excited.
We were miserable, freezing, and soaking wet.
Even at that, I never regretted going on the show.
My seven days in the hospital and two surgeries never made me regret it for a second.
Being somewhat disappointed in my edit never made me regret playingSurvivor.
Whom do you still talk, text, or email with the most from your season?
Bret LaBelle my best friend coming out of the show, and we talk and text regularly.
I can’t imagine what mySurvivorexperience would have been without him.
The relationships I’ve made coming out of the show are truly the best part of the entire experience.
He’s just a great guy.
Adam Adam has been a rock of support throughout my second brush with cancer.
I’ve been to visit him in California and even designed hisSurvivormemorabilia wall in his room.
Adam is someone you could always count on and you always know is in your corner.
I also really like his dad, Alan!
We text multiple times a week.
Hannah sends me cute puppy TikToks to brighten my days, and I love it.
Zeke Again, another one I don’t get to talk to weekly, but we communicate through text.
Zeke has been working tirelessly selling buffs created by himself, Bret, Chris and Hanna.
They are selling them toraise funds towards my cancer treatment.
Jay and Will I get occasional calls and texts from both Jay and Will.
I spent many hours on the beach of Ikabula with both of them.
Anytime I hear from either of them, my day is made.
David I text with David.
He sends me little texts to remind me I can beat this cancer thing.
But beyond that, David and I had a great relationship on the island and that hasn’t changed.
I’ve been able to see him a couple times afterwards.
We shared a couple fun moments on the island and that bond doesn’t go away.
Lucy I’ve been out to California to visit Lucy a few times.
Everyone knows not to call me whileSurvivoris on, and I still cry at the opening of every season.
My favorite season is a toss-up betweenPhilippinesandBvW2.
I enjoyed watching her relationship with Jonathan Penner.
Second, I really likeBvW2for a couple of reasons.
Mostly, it’s because it was the first time I applied to be on the show.
I like watching the dynamics of the blood relatives and how the players navigated them.
I would hope I would do the same.
Who’s one player from anotherSurvivorseason you wish you could have played with or against and why?
I would love to play with Monica Culpepper.
I even attempted to wear jewelry to Tribal, because it always stuck out to me that Monica did.
If you could make one change to any aspect ofSurvivor, what would it be and why?
This includes advantages that are something they use against another player, like the idol nuliffer, for example.
I think if a player wins or finds an advantage, they should actually get a true advantage.
Finally, would you play again if asked?
I would definitely play again.
I think coming back to play after beating cancer for a second time would be quite the accomplishment.
