How Cancer Changed My Life

Everyone knows someone who's been diagnosed with cancer. I can name so many people in my life who have had it. Uncles, grandparents, friends, teachers, you would think we would almost be used to it by now. We expect it to happen, even to ourselves, but we don’t normally expect in a thirteen year old boy. I think that's why cancer hurts us the most it does not discriminate against anyone or anything. Andrew moved to my school in fifth grade. I had the biggest crush on him and so did every other girl in school. His blonde hair and blue eyes made him charming to everyone even the teachers. His whole family was sweet and fun, his mother was British and I found it so fun talking to her. For some reason, unknown to me, Andrew and I became best friends. …show more content…
I couldn’t handle being the only one who knew he was dying. I remember the school calling to say there would be therapists and class meetings. I didn’t go back until the next Wednesday. The hallway was empty. Noise did not radiate from underneath classroom doors like usual. There was no locker slamming, harsh lights, or laughter. It was like Andrew's death had caused a depression that couldn't be healed. There wasn't enough medication to go around. The principal and front desk attendant greeted me with small smiles and softly whispered hellos. The hallways smelled like french fries and greasy pizza, which was a typical Wednesday school lunch. I had never walked so slowly down a hallway, I had never seen so many eyeballs peeking through tiny glass panels in the classroom doors, I had never been watched by so many people. I could hear tiny giggles and the loud voice of my teacher as I took a deep breath and grabbed the door handle. I don’t think my classmates expected me to come back to school that week. They asked me how I was and no one mentioned Andrews name. I still wonder if it was out of fear that I might break down in tears. The truth was that they didn’t quite understand why I cared so much about Andrew. And if they would of mentioned his name I wouldn’t have cried because I had cried so much there weren't any tears