A Journey Through Cancer Pt. 1

So for me, I got kind of a surprise growing up. That horrible "C" word that nobody loves. That's right, cancer. It was a hard journey and that story is for later on in this. It is being served as an encouragement and help to those who think it is over. Believe it or not, it isn't. I thought the same thing but your battle has only just begun and you're not the one that is going to lose.

For me, I was just a little 5-year-old girl who just wanted to play outside and be with her family. I had been playing and my parents had noticed a bump on my hand. We had tried all kinds of wart remedies but when it didn't go away, they knew something was up. Now at this point, I didn't realize what was at stake and neither did many others. I went through some tests and that's when we got that call. It was my mother's birthday present, I had been diagnosed with cancer and needed to be rushed to the hospital. Now here is where I will take breaks in my story and put in encouragement parts. My thought at this point is what is going on? Why was my mom wanting to cry? What was wrong with me? Don't ever think something is wrong with you. Life is just deciding to throw a little roadblock in your path and want to see how you will react. It is okay to fall apart because I promise that happened many of times after this phone call.

Fighting the Truth

I remember that no one wanted to believe that it was really happening. I remember my mom having to call my dad who was on a business trip and he needed to come home on the next flight. Thankfully there was a nice man who made sure he got on the next flight home to us. That is something I will never forget. All the people who helped us on this hard journey and battle. We went through immense scans and tests to figure out the best course of action. I don't remember much about the in-between before my surgeries but I remember how people in that hospital treated me with such kindness. Those nurses became my friends and some even became like family. When it came to the day for my surgery, I remember saying and have always heard my parents repeat these words that came out of a little 5-year-olds mouth, "I understand if God wants to take me home but I can't just yet. My mommy and daddy still need me here." I don't use this word often but I hated seeing my mother and father going through that pain. The worst thing for a parent to see is their child going in for surgery with the worry of them not coming back or coming back with no change. For this, I want to stop and tell those who are reading this that I saw many kids not make it through treatments and not make it through the battle. For me, I could very well not have and never would have had the chance to write this article for many to read. Do not ever lose faith or hope. As soon as you do that, there will only be the fear that will consume you and win. This is something you need to fight. Believe and never stop fighting. You fight till your last breath and till you have given that cancer a nice fight to the death that it will think again before hurting someone else.

Getting Through the Life After

As you can see, I took my advice I learned from my parents and those around me and never stopped fighting. I know there is no cure for my cancer but that doesn't mean I have to dwell on that. I am someone who believes in fighting for the little person. I think that people should never underestimate the fighting power in a person. If you or someone you know is fighting, know that there is hope. There always will be and there are people who are wanting to help and be by your side. I like to do things where I raise money through Relay for Life and other cancer-fighting organizations. Not only do the people dealing with the fight against their own cancer have issues but so do the people they love and care for. Remember that. Find ways to take them meals or even donate a few dollars here and there. I am currently going to school for psychology for children with cancer. I want to give back to those who helped me all those years ago. I would hope you would want to do the same. I am putting in here my Relay for Life link in hopes you would donate. If there are any other ways you would like to help, you can find me online just look for my name. I hope you found this encouraging and helpful. Remember that the fight needs those who are willing to help win this war. Cancer is a hard battle so the next time you see a child or an adult battling cancer, remember that they are not just fighters and survivors but what was said in the first caption. WE ARE WARRIORS!