10 Years Ago, I Had Cancer...

Ten years ago this month, I went to Dr. Morris' office with my Dad for what I thought was a routine check of a lump in my neck. Within the first 5 minutes, Dr. Morris uttered the words "I give you a 30 percent chance you have cancer."

Boom! Just like that the dreaded "C" word was part of my vocabulary.

I am ever so thankful my Dad was with me and helped me to call my Mom. From there I cancelled plans to drive my roommate to Omaha, because I was scheduled for a biopsy of the lump in my neck and a pelvic bone marrow test the next morning.

Oh and I had just started dating my boyfriend the previous November AND I was just 25 years old! Of course, I was sure I did not have cancer, but when I came to in the recovery room I repeatedly asked the nurse "Do I have one or two incisions?" If it was not cancer from the lump in my neck they were not going to do my bone marrow biopsy. She had to keep telling me I had two incisions. It was not a pretty moment...there was lots of ugly crying and my brother immediately came up to the hospital and just sat in my recovery room. He did not even leave for lunch...very unlike David.

I took a quick pre-planned trip to California with my Mom after I had another surgery to install a port in my chest. Fun fact: Ports help save patients' veins since some of the chemo burns right through them. Then I begin a routine of work, every other Friday chemotherapy then shopping therapy or friend visits then back to work. And, I was still dating Matthew, who stuck by me through the hair loss, weight gain and tiredness.

And, let me tell you I lost ALL my hair. Fun fact: I did not have to shave my legs for six months! But I also lost my eye brows, lashes, etc. I wore a wig that was cute, but started to wear out after washing, styling, etc.

On New Years Eve, I received a phone call from the incredible Dr. John Michalak telling me that after six months of chemotherapy I was cancer free! I had beat Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Thanks to a proven method of chemotherapy, a great team of doctors and nurses and God.

I often look back and think "Where has the time gone?". Since I beat cancer, I started, ran and ended a Young Cancer Support Group with a co-survivor and friend, worked on the Race for Hope for a few years along with running it and helping fundraise for the cancer center. I also got married, had two beautiful babies and have had a very fulfilling life. I still have some health issues possibly due to the chemo, but I do not let cancer define me. It is part of my story, one that not everyone is aware of, but it helps make me who I am.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey. I go in for my 10 year check up this month, which prompted my walk down memory lane.