One Year

When you look back at your life, how quickly and how minuscule does one year seem? Doesn’t time just fly? I can’t believe this semester is almost over, and even more so…I cannot believe it has been one year since I finished chemotherapy. Wow, its weird to say sometimes, chemotherapy…still doesn't seem real. But, thanks to so many amazing people, and events in my life, I am now a one-year cancer survivor.

Last Friday, November 16^th, 2012, I was admitted for my last treatment. My dad and I checked in and my mom met us in M50 carrying so many decorations, bags, streamers, posters, and pictures and we set up for a night that I will never forget. My nurse was Diana, who moved around floors a lot and it was a complete surprise and irony to see her…she was my very first chemo nurse. I had some amazing visitors, Katie and fellow cancer survivor, Mikaela, and Matt. Mackenzie and some of her friends came to visit too. Not to mention, my best friend, Ali and her wonderful mother Connie, coming fully prepared with cupcakes, hats, and a “0” piñata for “Zero” more treatments. I will never forget the feeling of relief, the feeling of weightlessness, the feeling of pure happiness as I watched the last drops of Methotrexate drip into my IV. In that moment, 7:30 pm on November 16^th, 2012, I was the world’s newest cancer survivor.

It’s been a year now, and boy has it been crazy. Going back to school, jumping into “normal life,” cheerleading, and all the other activities I picked back up, I was super busy. My friends can attest that this year was a year of ups and downs. Some of the highest high’s and the lowest low’s, but I made it through. From cheering in March Madness, to burying my dear friend, Cora, this year has been a year of trials.  Nothing seems impossible anymore which is for sure a blessing, but there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think of the word “cancer,” think of my leg which still doesn’t feel “normal,” and think of something I wish I was able to do better.

This weekend was kind of whirlwind but the best weekend I could have dreamed of. Our favorite school/football team, the John Carroll University Blue Streaks, were taking on Mount Union on Saturday for the last game of the regular season, both teams being undefeated. This is a HUGE rivalry in the OAC (Ohio Athletic Conference) and was going to be an intense, sold out, war. A few weeks ago, I purchased plane tickets for Mackenzie and I to fly into Columbus and meet up with our best friends, basically family, the McDonnell’s and the kids decided to drive up to Mount Union and SURPRISE our parents at this football game. Mackenzie and I arrived in Columbus Friday night, had a wonderful time with Cassey, Emily and Sam, and being reunited was amazing. We drove up and walked right up to the tailgate yesterday morning and my parent’s jaws hit the ground. It was so awesome. We spend the day watching a great game, although the score wasn’t in our favor, we will always love the Streaks.

After the game, Cassey, Sam, Kenz, Joe and I drove home where we had part 2 of the surprise waiting…Mr. and Mrs. McDonnell were waiting in my kitchen (with Pizzazz of course) and we surprised my parents again! There was no one I would rather spend this celebration with than the close family and friends I had surrounding me yesterday. Dancing around my house to “Come on Eileen,” “ Hotel,” “Angel,” “All for you,” “It wasn’t me,” and “90’s power hour” with my parents and friends was the best evening I could’ve asked for. Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Fanning, Mr. and Mrs. McD, Mrs. Reesing, Frank, Andrew, Nick, and our course Cassey, Emily, Sam, Kenz, and Joe for keeping the surprise and for giving me the best gift of amazing family and friends.

So, to all of you reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for always caring, for the love, prayers, and well wishes, thoughts, hugs, and friendship. You helped me through the most difficult time in my life and I am proud to say now that I am a one-year cancer survivor. I would not be here today if it wasn’t for you. Thank you for everything.

Love,

Em