No matter the magnitude, every individual faces a battle at various points in their life. My battle transpired at the age of ten and started with what seemed the flu. My symptoms were ongoing, which forced my doctor to investigate. Although, similar us, she remained hoping to find that I remained healthy, she found unnatural blood counts. Since my blood counts were abnormal, I was immediately scheduled to have an appointment at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital the subsequent morning to test if I had cancer. My physical seemed completely normal, my even fever went away, and, nevertheless, my biopsy came back saying I had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The words hung in the air as we attempted to comprehend them, but no connection was made;
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The battle lasted for another two years and four months. Within that time, I almost died twice. The first occurrence happened to be from chemotherapy – the PEG. The PEG is three shots at once into your legs (or other large muscles). Approximately a day after receiving these shots, I developed pancreatitis. This is a side effect of chemotherapy that remains known to kill patients. Due to the pancreatitis, I also suffered with diabetes for approximately a month. The second occurrence occurred from pneumonia. I developed pneumonia and remained hospitalized for eleven days. Miraculously, I woke up one day and it was gone without scarring of my lungs; pneumonia typically leaves permanent scarring on the lungs. This remains yet another known killer of cancer …show more content…
Due to almost losing my life, I realized I must live my life as fully as possible while I had the chance. I need to take advantage of every opportunity that comes within my grasp. Witnessing other patients, friends, dying from the same disease also pushed me to pursue my life fully; those individuals had their life taken from them and are not given these opportunities, so I feel the need to attempt to live my life fully since they were not given that chance. Having cancer has also fueled my desire to support others. After watching several suffer throughout treatment, I have found a motivation to aid those whom are
The battle lasted for another two years and four months. Within that time, I almost died twice. The first occurrence happened to be from chemotherapy – the PEG. The PEG is three shots at once into your legs (or other large muscles). Approximately a day after receiving these shots, I developed pancreatitis. This is a side effect of chemotherapy that remains known to kill patients. Due to the pancreatitis, I also suffered with diabetes for approximately a month. The second occurrence occurred from pneumonia. I developed pneumonia and remained hospitalized for eleven days. Miraculously, I woke up one day and it was gone without scarring of my lungs; pneumonia typically leaves permanent scarring on the lungs. This remains yet another known killer of cancer …show more content…
Due to almost losing my life, I realized I must live my life as fully as possible while I had the chance. I need to take advantage of every opportunity that comes within my grasp. Witnessing other patients, friends, dying from the same disease also pushed me to pursue my life fully; those individuals had their life taken from them and are not given these opportunities, so I feel the need to attempt to live my life fully since they were not given that chance. Having cancer has also fueled my desire to support others. After watching several suffer throughout treatment, I have found a motivation to aid those whom are