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Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?I realized that there are two important types of cancer stories to be told: the patients and the people who love them. As a caregiver, I feel entitled to claim cancer as well. It had no effect on my 17-year- old body, but it devastated everything I had. But I learned and grew, not because of the cancer, but in spite of it.
In September 2012, after months of complaining of not being able to breathe, my grandma was diagnosed with a large mass in her lungs. Later tests identified it as Stage 4 cancer in her lungs, brain, and spine. She is a non-smoking, young and healthy individual with a bad streak of luck.
Immediately after her diagnosis, everything began to fall apart at the seam. Four AP classes, a difficult math class, and an upcoming SAT offered no relief either. My own responsibilities fell several notches on the list of things I considered meaningful. While I was at school, new developments were happening in doctor's appointments and family affairs that constantly left me one step behind. Each day after school, I'd rush over to my grandma and when it was late into the night, I'd be pressured to return home by varying family members. My volunteering jobs suffered along with my schoolwork. Chronic absences and emails to my suprivisor became my normal behavior. Eventually, I began having breakdowns in the school restroom, screaming in my car, and getting sick from the emotional and real-world stress.
I told as few people as I could about the situation. I felt irrationally guilty about telling them, about receiving sympathy when it wasn't about me. When I did talk, I kept it very vague and short. Needless to say, I began to feel very detached. Along with this isolation came resentment towards God, my absent friends, and at family members who refused to take on their fair share of responsibility. When my grandma lost all her hair, the anger turned to bitterness at the people who were healthy. Cancer proved to be emotionally exhausting.
However, as time goes on, I've noticed how people are able to let their good qualities shine through despite extreme challenges. Keeping a positive attitude, I've realized, really is half the battle - in sickness and in health. I have the ability to curse the world; I have the choice to reject hope. And I did let the happen for a while, but then I realized that isn't the point. Endlessly looping in negativity was never going to get me anywhere. I learned that strength requires moving forward no matter what we are faced with, and when we succeed we are an example to others of what is possible. And when we decide to give up there is a reaching impact on the people left.
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?I realized that there are two important types of cancer stories to be told: the patients and the people who love them. As a caregiver, I feel entitled to claim cancer as well. It had no effect on my 17-year- old body, but it devastated everything I had. But I learned and grew, not because of the cancer, but in spite of it.
In September 2012, after months of complaining of not being able to breathe, my grandma was diagnosed with a large mass in her lungs. Later tests identified it as Stage 4 cancer in her lungs, brain, and spine. She is a non-smoking, young and healthy individual with a bad streak of luck.
Immediately after her diagnosis, everything began to fall apart at the seam. Four AP classes, a difficult math class, and an upcoming SAT offered no relief either. My own responsibilities fell several notches on the list of things I considered meaningful. While I was at school, new developments were happening in doctor's appointments and family affairs that constantly left me one step behind. Each day after school, I'd rush over to my grandma and when it was late into the night, I'd be pressured to return home by varying family members. My volunteering jobs suffered along with my schoolwork. Chronic absences and emails to my suprivisor became my normal behavior. Eventually, I began having breakdowns in the school restroom, screaming in my car, and getting sick from the emotional and real-world stress.
I told as few people as I could about the situation. I felt irrationally guilty about telling them, about receiving sympathy when it wasn't about me. When I did talk, I kept it very vague and short. Needless to say, I began to feel very detached. Along with this isolation came resentment towards God, my absent friends, and at family members who refused to take on their fair share of responsibility. When my grandma lost all her hair, the anger turned to bitterness at the people who were healthy. Cancer proved to be emotionally exhausting.
However, as time goes on, I've noticed how people are able to let their good qualities shine through despite extreme challenges. Keeping a positive attitude, I've realized, really is half the battle - in sickness and in health. I have the ability to curse the world; I have the choice to reject hope. And I did let the happen for a while, but then I realized that isn't the point. Endlessly looping in negativity was never going to get me anywhere. I learned that strength requires moving forward no matter what we are faced with, and when we succeed we are an example to others of what is possible. And when we decide to give up there is a reaching impact on the people left.
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