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!