Round Two- Before and During

Being declared cancer free in July of 2010, you can imagine my excitement as I thought, "I still have my whole life ahead of me!" :) It was the summer before my Junior year. And let me tell you just how great Junior year was:

• I ran Cross Country- went from a 27 min PR to 21 min PR- I received the award for Most Improved
• I loved XC! It was when I first realized my love for running
• I was the Junior Class President and I loved it! The biggest responsibility was the Junior Prom- and it was a huge job! But it was so worth it (If you're reading this Mrs. Seegmiller- you're the bomb!)
• I ran for Student Body Vice-President for senior year- I did a skit in front of the entire school
• Junior year was my favorite year of high school thus far!

Senior year was just as fun too! Being a Student Body Officer required a lot of work but it was one of the highlights of the year. We planned assemblies, held fundraisers, and made the school year a lot of fun. And I ran Cross Country again- it was great. I even lettered! I had always wanted to try out for a musical, so I decided to go for it and got the role of Hugo Peabody in "Bye Bye Birdie." And let me tell you, playing a lovesick half drunk teenager was a blast! :)

In January, we discovered a lump right by my Adam's Apple. We had a biopsy on the lump and found out that it was the same kind of cancer. I was transferred up to the Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City. That place is one of the best places in the world to receive treatment for cancer.

In March, I had a surgery a lot like my 16th birthday surgery. The doctors cut open over my last scar, so there wasn't another scar on my neck. But the surgery went well, and after two nights I was able to go home. The BEST surprise from that surgery was a poster that said "Welcome Home!" sign at my house, from my friends in Student Government (thank you again!!). Along with the sign, there was a Christmas tree with a bunch of notes tied to the branches. While I was out of school, they had gone around to classrooms and had peers write little notes of encouragement. There were probably at least a hundred. So, to those at Cedar High who wrote me a note, THANK YOU. It really made my day! :)
 
After being out of school for a week and a half, I was able to go back and continue the rest of my senior year! The doctors felt confident that they had gotten all the cancer out, and I went on with life.

So my advice: Don't let cancer take over your life. And for most of you who will never have cancer, don't let circumstances take over your life. Be yourself, and do what YOU want to do.

Before I end, I couldn't write about the things I've been through and not mention my family. They have been so supportive through EVERYTHING! From being there for me, to just talking to me, I have them to thank. Dad, Mom, Brooke, Tim, Chris, Allie, Ashley, Hayden, Justin, and even Camden- a public thank you is in order:

Keep running!

My Story- Round One

Cancer is just too stubborn. It knows I'm a fighter and decides that not one round is enough, even though I've kicked it in the butt every time. This is round one:

Back in December of 2008, I noticed a lump under my jaw on the right side. We went to the doctor and had him look at it. It's amazing the things that you remember. For example, I remember that my appointment was the same day as a band concert, and I had my crazy red tuxedo with me to change into (those now in concert band who don't have to wear those now- consider yourselves lucky) :) Anyway, the doctor gave me some antibiotics which changed the size a little bit, but we dismissed it, thinking it was nothing. A year later, December of 2009, a few more lumps appeared and we went back to the doctor, who decided to perform a biopsy.

On December 22, 2009, we were in Knott's Berry Farm. We had just gotten out of a Snoopy show and my dad checked the messages on his phone. One of the messages was the doctor, saying for us to call him. I had been diagnosed with what is called Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma, cancer of the salivary glands. It's a rare type, but curable and he felt confident about that we would be able to get it. The only thing I remember about my reaction is that I said, "It's going to be alright! I'm going to be fine, and we're in Knott's Berry Farm, so let's have fun!"

I had a major surgery on my 16th birthday. Since we had to be at the hospital at 8 AM and I desperately wanted to get my driver's license on my birthday, we went to the DMV at 7 AM, I got my license, and I drove around town for an hour, glad to see how the life of a driver really was!

The surgery went well. I spent two nights in the hospital and came home, recovered quickly, and went back to school in a week and a half. The next step was radiation. Throughout those treatments, I was on a liquid diet- three Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes a day was about all I could get down. I still managed to stay in school and keep my grades up. It was a hard couple of months, but I made it through with shining colors! Radiation went from March to April 2010.

In July, I was officially declared cancer free! :)

It's amazing how things work out and the blessings I've received:

• My family grew SO much closer :)
• My driver's license (which I talked about earlier)
• My cancer didn't limit my social life too much. The Sweetheart's was after the radiation had started but before it started to hurt. I really enjoyed that dance! The Junior Prom. Radiation had ended and I really wanted to go but wasn't sure if I could be able to eat solids. My throat hurt less and less, and a WEEK before Prom I was back on solids. :) And I enjoyed that dance too!
• Cancer wasn't going to hold me back. I ran for Class President for the next year and decided to run Cross Country- No holding me from an amazing future!
• Looking back now, I honestly don't know how I was able to go to school every day and had radiation. But I know now that the Lord was with me, every step of the way
• Although I had other troubles in my life at the time of this cancer, I kept my life in perspective- the Lord has felt every pain that I did and He was, is and always will be there for me

Isaiah 40:31, one of my favorite scriptures: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Just remember that it's the hard times that you really need to rely upon the Lord.

Thanks for reading, especially because it's been so long. Keep running!

Starting Off

Ever since I was first diagnosed with cancer back in 2009, I have always tried to think of ways that I can use my experience to help people. Of course, everyone always says, "Erik, you're so inspirational." Don't get me wrong, I REALLY appreciate a compliment like that, but it only makes me think: Really? All I'm doing is just living life and getting through this trial the best I can. So I have wanted to do something that I can spend my time in helping other people. Lo and behold, this blog was born.

To everyone who reads this blog, my hope is that you can read my story and understand my experiences and it can help you in your life somehow, because that's my ultimate goal! If I can help just one person from what I've experienced, I'll be more than happy!

So, I hope you enjoy this blog. This first post is just to kick it off, I'll really dive in on my next post. Until next time, keep running!