" Know all the possibilities of your impossible dream. "

A little about me...

Hi! My name is Sandy. I am 19 years old. I am a certified nursing assistant. Some of my hobbies and interests... include going on walks, rollerblading,volunteering, and babysitting.

Information about my illness...

In 1998, when I was 17 years old, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I was treated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I had chemotherapy and surgery.

My words to others...

My suggestions to other survivors are... Live each day to the fullest. Just because you are faced with a life-threatening disease doesn't mean that you are going to die. Always keep a good attitude, and take time to get to know other kids who are going through similar treatments as you are. You don't want to isolate yourself from the rest of your surroundings just because you are sick. People all around you are willing to help, and you just need to tell them when it is a good time. Don't ever give up!

The most important lesson I learned from my experience is... From having cancer I have learned many important lessons. I totally respect people who have to put up a fight with a disability or disease each day because I know how much different people act towards us because we might look or act differently. Dealing with something like this is so emotionally draining that you really have to talk to others to be able to get your mind off what is going on. I learned that having a good attitude is a big key when dealing with cancer or any disease. It helps you concentrate on healing rather then trying to fight against the disease.

A positive outcome from my experience is... I have met so many wonderful people through cancer. I felt as though I was losing my family temporarily when I left Rochester to return home. The nurses are like my big sisters and brothers, and the doctors are the best in the world. They were always there when I needed them. I have met some of my best friends through cancer. I am going to college right now to be a nurse. I hope to become a nurse practicioner someday working in pediatric oncology at the Mayo Clinic or another Children's Hospital. Having Cancer was sort of like receiving a gift for me because it has opened up so many opportunities in my life. I didn't just learn from my good day's, but the bad day's taught me how lucky I am to still be a live. I return every 6 months to Rochester for checkups, and besides dealing with infections and other setbacks a lot, I am doing quite well. If you are interested in talking to me, you can email me: [email protected].

" I was diagnosed with cancer one week before my senior year of highschool; so due to the aggressive treatment I was getting, I was unable to attend school that year, but fortunately I was able to stay caught up with my homework, so I graduated with my twin sister and the rest of our class in June of 1999. I struggled a lot with my cancer treatments because my blood counts were so unpredictable. During one of my treatments, my small bowel tore and I required emergency surgery. That whole episode opened up my eyes and made me realize how hard I had to fight."