Hodgkin's

Growing up I was never a person that was able to finish everything that I started. Sometimes it would seem too hard or I would just make excuses why I would not finish. I would basically underestimate myself and not face the challenges that lie in front of me. As I grew older, it was harder to break away from my habit of leaving things unfinished. A drastic change of lifestyle and motivation was all I needed. After I turned 18, something did changed inside of me, it affected me physically and I later learned it would help me as a person. I had developed cancer, Hodgkin's disease to be exact, and only a stem cell transplant would cure me of this sickness. However, this stem cell transplant was what I needed to realize that I am in control of my life and I can do anything I put my mind to.

Going through a stem cell transplant was the roughest experience in my life, but I have learned so much about myself because of it. I never questioned "why me?" or did I complain about being incredibly sick. Instead I forced myself to fight this cancer within my body and to continue on with treatment. This taught me that no matter what adversity I faced in my life I could overcome it.

I have found inside myself a person that will not give up no matter how difficult the challenges that await me. Life is so full of twists and turns that it seems so easy to run away from your problems and never face the obstacles in the path ahead. School was one of those obstacles for me before. I have always excelled academically, yet I always wanted to give up from lack of patience and belief. After my transplant I have found that school is now a challenge I look forward to as I feel as I can push myself to do my best, no matter how difficult it may get. I have a new sense of self-respect as I try to do the best I can and this helps to motivate myself.