“You have cancer.” I never imagined that I would ever hear those words, let alone on my 13th birthday, but in June 2019 I did. As I stood in the entryway to the kitchen, the reality of those words started to sink in, and it was devastating. Daily life as I knew it completely flipped upside down. The next nine months were the hardest of my life, but they would change me and give me direction and purpose for the future. Battling cancer at age 13 produced in me unusual endurance and perseverance to face physical and emotional challenges in life, a heightened enjoyment of every blessing along the way, and a drive to pursue a career in nursing.

My diagnosis was osteosarcoma, stage 2B, in my right femur. My treatment protocol included nine months of rigorous chemotherapy which began in mid-July 2019. At about the midpoint of chemo, my oncology orthopedic surgeon performed major surgery to remove the cancerous tumor and diseased bone and replace them with an endoprosthetic knee and partial femur. My treatment consisted of 20 hospital admissions, 16 rounds of chemo, and a few unplanned hospital stays due to low blood counts and neutropenic fevers. In all, I logged 75 inpatient hospital days. I underwent strenuous physical therapy to regain range of motion in my rebuilt leg both during and after my course of treatment.

Physical suffering was not the only obstacle I faced. My cancer journey also involved emotional turmoil. I experienced extreme waves of sadness because I was no longer a “normal” teenager. I often longed to be able to do the things that I took for granted just a few weeks before. When I did feel sad or discouraged during my hospitalizations, the entire hospital team of floor nurses, child life specialist, music therapist, friends, and family were quick to lift my spirits.

Even though this season was chaotic for my family, we received the unexpected blessing of a new community of friends – other families living their own cancer stories. Throughout this trial, my family grew in empathy and gratitude for each other.

I have always loved being with children and taking care of them. My journey through pediatric cancer has given me a new desire to help other young patients dealing with similar situations. Denise, one of my favorite nurses during my inpatient hospital stays, had also survived pediatric cancer. Denise would come into my room after she completed her rounds and spend time with me. She knew how much I loved having conversations and knew exactly how to cheer me up. Another one of my favorite nurses was AJ, a big burly former football player with lots of tattoos and a heart larger than his huge stature. From the very start of chemotherapy, my parents made it a point to pray before each infusion. They would pray for maximum benefit with minimal side effects. One time, as AJ was hanging up the chemo bag to my IV pole, he realized that we had not prayed yet. He asked my mom, “Miss Janell, would you like me to pray for this infusion?” The kind and compassionate care I received from AJ, Denise, and several of my other nurses has motivated and inspired me to become a nurse. I saw firsthand how excellent care from competent and caring nurses made my hospital stays so much more tolerable. I desire to be a pediatric nurse for other patients like my nurses were for me. To reach my career goal, I plan to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Anderson University in South Carolina where I am enrolled as a student for the 2024-25 school year.

Pediatric cancer has given me a clearer perspective on life. The fight was grueling. It was the hardest trial of my life. I have had to adapt to and accept a “new normal” after cancer.

Although I have some slight physical limitations, I have more than ample capacity and determination to serve as a nurse. The path I had to walk has made me a strong young woman with endurance to face the challenges of college and my future career as a nurse with a joyful perspective. Cancer taught me to enjoy life to the fullest and to be grateful – because each day beyond the cure is a gift from God and an opportunity to serve others.