Hello!
My name is Sarah and I am originally from a western suburb of Chicago, IL and currently attending Michigan State University. I am studying Graphic Design and Art in hopes of becoming an editorial graphic artist once I graduate.
Three years ago (January 6th, 2005 - my senior year in High School) I was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma in my right lower thigh at Rush University Medical Center. My prognosis was good, 70% chance to wipe out the cancer with the first try. (Little did I know that the first try involved 11 months of chemo, 8 weeks of radiation, and surgery to top it off.)
On January 24th I had my first round of chemo, just two weeks before the Sadie Hawkins dance. I had my port placed just below my ribs so that it wouldn't show with my dress! And, in an effort to take control, I cut 8 inches off of my hair, the shortest I've had it since before grade school. I started losing my hair the day of the dance (February 5, 2005) as I was pulling at it to try to make it stay in the updo.
Once I'd lost all of my hair I began to wear a wig to school and only told my closest friends. But after a month of discomfort I didn't care that people knew. The wig was itchy and hot and not worth the struggle. So, I showed up to school bald, only to find that my boyfriend had shaved his head too!
Without my friends and family supporting me and the routine of staying in school and keeping things normal I would never have survived.
The following fall I was scheduled to head off to NYU (New York University, 10 hours driving from my hometown) to start my Freshman year at college. Needless to say, I didn't. My friends left and it was all of a sudden extremely difficult to get through the days. Without school, work and my friends I felt alone.
I kept busy and started working again and on November 18, 2005 I had my last treatment. I had lots of visitors and presents for all of the nurses that helped me through my ordeal.
It was an amazing experience that I would never wish on anyone, but that changed and shaped me into the person that I am today. Throughout the year I developed relationships and strengthened friendships I'd already had. This kind of humbling experience can teach you so many things. It taught me that anything can happen to you at any point in time and it's up to you to make it a learning experience. I'm glad I can call myself a survivor.