Surviving Cancer

I was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma at the age of 19. It was hard to deal with knowing that at the age of 19 when my life was just beginning it could be ending. I remember like it was yesterday I had a sudden oncoming of migraine headaches and pain when I look outside (sunny). I went to many different hospitals and on numerous occasions was sent back home and advised it was just a nasal infection. On about the 7th visit (first st. joes 4times and then University of Pennsylvania 3 times) my mother was just fed up and advised them i was not leaving until they did an MRI scan because no infection should be lasting that long. I received the MRI and was advised I was ok and I was released, on our way out the door we were stopped and advised I needed to stay because a mass was spotted in the nasal pharynx area. I was sent back to the room and was next inspected by the ENT specialist. They stated that the mass appeared cancerous and need to do a biopsy to be sure. That night I was admitted and scared out my mind. My mother stayed by my side and never left ,for what that I can remember, the whole 12 months I spent in and out of the hospital… I was given Chemo and Radiation. There were many days I felt like I would not survive and felt like giving up but my mother kept me strong. I lost many things in my battle, i.e weight, hair, people who I thought were friends, and even some family, but I can say I gained one if not more things out of this and that was the undying love and respect for my mother. I battled and battled with her by my side and dont know what I would have done without her and you know what 7 years of remission later, I can say GOD and my mother were my beams holding up my body when I wanted to give up and collapse and die. SO for those that have someone struggling with cancer make sure you try and give them that extra glimmer of hope even when it doesnt look good, cause it was that glimmer of hope that wheeled me and many others when our prognosis was not working in our favor. I dedicate the story to my mother and all the other mothers standing by your children and giving them that glimmer of hope. MOM THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME IT FOR YOU! I LOVE YOU MOM.