When I was first told I had cancer at only 13 (six days before I turned 14!) my life turned upside down. It seemed as if the world was moving in slow motion, but accelerating at the same time. Little did I know, I would find my passion and purpose on this earth during this life-changing year.
Since I was little, I had always dreamed off become a dance teacher and studio owner. I have been dancing since I was 2, and I LOVED it! I had moved from studio to studio to make sure I got the best training to become a professional. However, when I was diagnosed, things changed. I started to become less interested in dance because I wasn’t allowed to do it. I was too self-conscious to go to dance knowing I had lost a lot of technique, muscle, and hair (I couldn’t wear a hat to dance or it would have fallen off). I wasn’t strong enough to dance anyways during the harsh chemo treatments. I had to find a new interest to keep me occupied. I’ve always loved art, so the art teacher at the hospital kept me busy. Although, this was not what I wanted to do with my life.
While losing my passion for dance, I gained an incredible new perspective. I wanted to become a pediatric oncology nurse. I saw the nurses daily and interacted with them daily. I became so intrigued with what they were doing and how they were helping kids and teens like me. I watched them hook me up to the lines and treatments. Watched the techniques and precision they had to have. Watched and curiously admired them having such a steady hand (haha). I’d ask them questions like why did they want to become a pediatric oncology nurse, and found many who had become nurses by chance and many who knew what they wanted to be since high school. They’d always ask me what I wanted to do when I grow up. For a while, I didn’t have an answer, not knowing yet that this would be my passion. After a while, I found that this is what I want to do. Why?
I wanted to be able to give back and help other kids and teens like me.
I’m very good at math and science which are both important skills for nurses when dealing with IV machines to give patients chemotherapies, antibiotics, etc.
I want to be involved in childhood cancer because another passion I learned about in treatment is spreading childhood cancer awareness. There are many rallies and events that help spread awareness like CureFest and I want to be able to go and contribute my help.
I found my purpose. I found what I was born to do with my life. This was all because of a bump in my road on the way to my future. I’m still on that road. I’m starting to look at colleges and scholarships. I’m trying my best to be involved with the hospital to continue doing what I love while out of the hospital in remission. You’d think that being cancer free and done with chemo would make you want to stay away from the hospital and enjoy my life, but that’s definitely not the case here. I’ll never stop spreading awareness and giving back to the people who gave to me and kids who are just like me. I discovered my passion because of cancer.