" To be Healthy is to be Happy, to be Happy is to be Healthy. "

A little about me...

Hi! My name is Serena. I am 29 years old. I am A Senior Programmer Analyst. Some of my hobbies and interests... are swimming, exercising, the outdoors, and animals.

Information about my illness...

In 1987, when I was 16 years old, I was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma. I was treated at Isaak Walton Killiam Hospital for Children in Halifax Nova Scotia. I had chemotherapy and surgery.

My words to others...

My suggestions to other survivors are... Never forget! As time goes by, you tend to forget, you start to let the little things bother you. Things are stressing you out, that really aren't that bad. Stop....remember, you know how bad things can be. I remember when I was sick and at school, the girls would be complaining about thier hair.....I used to think -At least you have hair, be thankful for that- Or the kids would complain about school, I was so happy to be at school and not in the hospital......I used to think, -At least you don't have to worry about going in the hospital for chemotherapy-. Or they would say that life sucks!...it's like -excuse me, you have know idea!!!-. It's just important to remember these things when you forget and start to let the things bother you that really aren't that bad. .....Don't sweat the small stuff!.....

The most important lesson I learned from my experience is... To appreciate life more. Not to get upset about little things that don't really matter. Be happy when there is no reason to be sad. Tell people you care about, that you care about them. Never get mad at the ones you love.

A positive outcome from my experience is... <not provided>.

" I have been in remission for 11 years now. The most important thing to me is that I and the ones I love stay healthy and Happy. Please drop by my web page sometime, I have a diary there that I wrote in while I was sick. (www.entrenet.com/~sbeairsto). "