While most toddlers spend their days having play dates and running around at the park, I battled cancer. At two and a half years of age, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and underwent chemotherapy treatments for two years. By age five, I had won the fight and entered remission. I am grateful that I have no real recollection of these troublesome times, and what I do vaguely remember is mostly through pictures and stories that my parents tell me. However, I have never forgotten or taken for granted the fact that I have been given a second chance at life.
This idea of a second chance has molded my life significantly. I decided early on in my teenage years that I would never consume alcohol, smoke, use drugs, or have premarital sex. After what my body had already gone through, I felt it was only right to treat it with the utmost respect. While many of my peers in high school deemed my morals radical, I knew that the risk of seeming “uncool” was absolutely no comparison to the damage that I could potentially do to my body. This was further strengthened for me when I attended a long term cancer survivor’s seminar, in which I met four people who had become addicted to alcohol and smoking after entering remission. I realized that the choices I had made were ones that may not stop side effects or cancer from recurring, would help me to stay healthy and focused on achieving a happy and successful life.
In order to achieve a truly happy and successful life, I needed to love my career choice. Starting college, my plans for the future seemed foggy. I knew that I wanted to help people and to make a difference in the world, but that was as far as I got. It wasn’t until the end of my first semester in my Career Explorations class that I received the answer I had been searching for.
While researching positions in the social work field, I came across medical social work. This spiked my interest and I continued looking in the field. When I found the career title “Pediatric Oncology Social Work”, I was beyond ecstatic and began to research more. I had always wanted to give back to those that did so much for my family and tried doing so through volunteer work, but I never imagined I could do so professionally in this manner. As i learned more, I realized that this was the perfect fit for me. I also understood that the career would be a stressful and emotionally tolling one, but I knew it would be even more rewarding. When I went in for my yearly check up at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, I was able to speak to my pediatric oncology social worker about her career and it solidified my desire to pursue that field.
As I continue my studies, I have a clear goal in mind and one that I am so excited for. Now when I think of the trouble I faced as a child, I do not focus on myself, but instead envision the countless families facing this issue worldwide. I cannot wait until I can help families going through the same trials that mine did. I feel that with my experience, I will show them that their children can live normal lives and I hope that I will be able to provide a light at the end of the tunnel. My childhood battle with leukemia will no longer be a trouble in my life, but a grand opportunity to serve my society.