In the Fall of 2016, I was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare, aggressive bone cancer. I had just turned 16, and I was far from ready for the burden that life handed to me. I started having a bad attitude and feeling that part of my teen years were stolen from me and I hadn’t done anything to deserve it. I was helpless, confused and even angry. While cancer took much of my time, energy and physical ability, the life lessons I learned are priceless.
After just a few weeks of being diagnosed, someone recommended that no matter how difficult a day may seem, to try and find one thing to be grateful and happy about every day. This advice hit me, and I tried to implementing the idea into my life, At first, it was difficult, but after extensive practice, it became a habit, On my darkest days, I was able to find the little things and produce a positive attitude which I carried with me to remission. Around the same time, I realized I needed to bring my struggles to Christ. I had grown up religious but I never really made my faith my own.
One particular day that I was feeling stressed and in excruciating pain, I cried out and offered all my sufferings to Christ. When I did this, I had an immense feeling of peace wash over me. I still did not know if I was going to make it out alive, but I did know that no matter what the outcome, I was in Christ’s hands and everything was going to work out. With my new attitude, I worked to face every day with a smile to show others that I was facing my battle head on and there was no need to fear. While cancer took my body and physical ability, I refuse to let it take my hope and joy.
Throughout my treatment, I found a passion for nursing which I intend to make my career. I experienced many different medical fields but what intrigued me the most was nursing. My nurses were so hands-on and always went above and beyond for each patient. Their joy and enthusiasm were infectious and the care they gave me greatly inspired me. I have a strong desire to change the lives for oncology patients. As a nurse, I will be able to come to people at their darkest hour and give them their basic care, I will be so much more than just a caretaker, rather a friend to people going through the worst parts of their life.
As a fellow cancer survivor, I will be able to understand the suffering of my patients and know the best way to serve them. I have found that I get along well with children and I am most happy when I can put a smile on a little kid’s face. I am very excited to start studying nursing next year to one day become a pediatric oncology nurse.
~~Michael Reese