Posted on 7 July, 2011
An associate had a great presentation from The Victory Center which is a cancer support center. It is amazing to me the services they provide to people who are challenged with cancer. Nothing like this existed 16 years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer. My story: I was 22 years old, fresh out of college, starting my career at Ford Motor Company. Stopped by a 24hr clinic to get some medicine for a cold I could not shake on my way out for a Friday night (yeah, I was sick but that was no reason for not going out on a Friday night). The look on the young doctor's face told me something was wrong. "You have cancer. You need to get to a hospital, now." WHAT! "Your joking right? I'm going out." (remember, I was an arrogant, little 22yr old) "I wish I was. You are quite sick." WHOA.....I grabbed the xray and went home. 2 weeks later, Hodgkin's Disease--stage 4. Six months of chemo, ABVD (it was suppose to be one year). My hair got thin and I NEVER allowed myself to throw up. Complete remission. I don't know why I am writing about this. I am having all these little flashes of images from 16yrs ago. But they are more than images. I can hear the sounds, smell the chemo room, feel the aches of treatments, remember the weakness from it all. I also remember the strength I conjured up, my will to live that grew, the appreciation for life I learned and the certainty I truly believed I would survive. The Victory Center in Toledo, Ohio has some amazing programs for cancer patients, survivors and their families. I encourage you to check out all they have to offer and support their fundraisers. We are quite fortunate to have such a great resource in our area. Thank you for reading my story. |
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