Living not just Existing

defendAt the age of 23 my life changed forever when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I was on the verge of what I thought was the beginning of my adult life. I was a few months from graduating with my bachelors in Social Work and planning on going into grad school. I was making plans to move out of my parent’s house and be an independent adult.

But instead I laid in a hospital bed for two weeks and endure chemotherapy for three months. During my cancer experience any sense of independence was robbed from me. Once the dust settled and I stopped avoiding dealing with what I had endured. I felt that through having cancer and almost dying was when I really began to live.

Cancer is a horrible disease that has affected my life in a negative way and has taken people that I love away from me, but it also opened my eyes to the world. It helped me realized how strong I really am and it provided me with a sense of self.

Through the different organizations available for cancer patients and survivors such as First Descents, Athletes for Cancer, Greener Pastures and the Hidden Warrior Project I’ve been able to go on therapeutic adventure trips, shared my story to bring awareness to the young adult cancer population, and even modeled. Things that my pre cancer self would have never done.

My post cancer self is all about LIVING and not just EXISTING! I want to be able to give back to the young adult cancer community and assist in the survivorship of those affected by cancer.

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