My 14 year old niece was
diagnosed last December with leukemia (she was 13 then). She is very strong and upbeat and absolutely
amazing through all of her grueling treatments.
She has made it her mission to educate people about leukemia. Below is a speech that she gave to her class at school (30 people) and then again at a fundraiser (100 people):
I just wanted to thank all of you for your support and
all that you have done for me and my family in these past 5 months. It has
meant so much to me. All of your support has kept me going and kept me strong.
I thought I
would take this time to fill you in a little bit about my type of leukemia, the
treatment I've been receiving, and my experience so far.
Did you know that the body is made up of trillions of
living cells? Just one of my cells developed wrong….just one. And it changed my
entire life. Imagine playing hockey 4 times a week, doing boxing, plus being in
school sports. Now imagine your doctor telling you that you have cancer. Seems
unbelievable, right?
As most of you know, in December of 2013, I was
diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This is the most common type of
childhood cancer. Leukemia is caused by immature white blood cells continuously
multiplying and overproducing in the bone marrow. When the doctors discovered
my leukemia, it had taken over 84% of my bone marrow.
When I received
the news, I couldn't breathe. I thought to myself…this can't be real? Honestly,
I half laughed-half cried, because it seemed so unbelievable. Before I even had
a chance to think, the doctor told me I would begin chemotherapy in 2 days.
Chemotherapy? I had heard of it before, but I had no idea what it was all
about, but I knew I would soon find out.
The chemotherapy treatment I'm getting is given in
cycles. The cycles are induction, consolidation, interim maintenance, delayed
intensification, and maintenance is the final cycle. I know most of you
probably have no idea what that means. When I first heard about these cycles it
sounded like a foreign language to me too. It will take about two and a half
years to complete all these cycles.
During my course of treatment I will be given 10
different kinds of chemotherapy drugs because each drug destroys cells in a
different way. Unfortunately many healthy cells are damaged by the chemo which
can cause side effects. The side effects I have experienced so far are joint
pain, mouth sores, muscle weakness, headaches, nausea, and hair loss. My hair
used to be very long and beautiful. I really miss it, but come on, I'm rocking
this hairdoo don't you think?
A cycle of chemotherapy includes a rest period to
allow the body to build healthy new cells before the next treatment. I can tell
you from experience that chemotherapy is not an easy thing to go through. There
have been times that chemo has kicked my butt, I'm not going to lie. I've felt
pretty weak and tired, sometimes barley able to walk half a block without
feeling like I just ran a mile. I've had nausea and a couple of wicked
headaches that have landed me in the ER, but I have also have had some good
times where I have felt strong, had energy, and have been able to do stuff with
my friends.
Never in a million years did I think I would be where
I am today. Sometimes when I think about it, my brain still tells me it's a
joke. Hearing the words "I have cancer" come out of my mouth doesn't
feel right. It doesn't sound right, but
I have come to realize that when
a difficult time is thrown at you,
it is important to stay strong and remain optimistic. When you think
about it….I really only have 2 choices. I can either remain optimistic and get
through this…. or I can sulk and make the experience harder for myself. So…I
have chosen to be optimistic.
I have realized
that cancer can just be a word if I let it be.
Of course there are times that I have been scared, but
I know that I will come out of this stronger than I ever have and ever would
have been.
I will not let
this experience break me, because I am stronger than Cancer. I will never give
up, because I know in my heart that extraordinary things happen to
extraordinary people.
Thank you again for all of your support.
You can see her beautiful spirit in her smile
Liv with her hockey team
She either learned from her "YouTube Aunt" and/or she needs her own YouTube Channel. Isn't this make-up look stunning?!
You can see her beautiful spirit in her smile
Liv with her hockey team
