Learning that another teen you know has lost his battle with cancer, after fighting so hard for so long, can be incredibly difficult to deal with, whether on treatment or off. Recently, a 15-year-old boy I know from the hospital and the summer camp I go to for kids and teens with cancer lost his long and difficult battle with cancer. It was heartbreaking and made me cry, it was terrifying and made me tremble with fear, and, at the same time, it was also incredibly inspiring and made me want to reach my goals and make something of myself in the future.
The news was heartbreaking because yet another life was lost, a young life that was filled with so many hopes and dreams. He did not ask for this to happen to him and it just seems so unfair. It makes me cry thinking of how he will never get to live out his life and reach all of his dreams.
The news was terrifying because it reminded me of how easily it seems cancer can come back and get me. I have fought cancer twice, and my battle has been won for now. Yet, I still fight every single day against the fear of it coming back again. All it takes to scare me is a fever, a bruise, or feeling tired.
However heartbreaking and terrifying this loss may be, it is inspirational above all else, and that is the most important thing to remember! He had two wishes to fulfill before he died: to complete 9th grade and to go to one more week of Camp Sunrise. He fought hard so he could make it out of the hospital so that he was able to finish 9th grade. Then, he fought harder to make it to camp for the whole week, even if it meant going home each night and coming back each morning or afternoon. He finished the week at camp with everyone else on August 6th. Just barely 2 weeks later, he died. He completed both his goals. To me, and I believe to everyone that knows him, he will always be a symbol of strength, perseverance, and motivation. As cancer patients and survivors, we all need to be positive when life seems to be against us and set goals for the future, as this boy did. Thanks to this boy, I am now even more determined to set and achieve my own goals.
The news was heartbreaking because yet another life was lost, a young life that was filled with so many hopes and dreams. He did not ask for this to happen to him and it just seems so unfair. It makes me cry thinking of how he will never get to live out his life and reach all of his dreams.
The news was terrifying because it reminded me of how easily it seems cancer can come back and get me. I have fought cancer twice, and my battle has been won for now. Yet, I still fight every single day against the fear of it coming back again. All it takes to scare me is a fever, a bruise, or feeling tired.
However heartbreaking and terrifying this loss may be, it is inspirational above all else, and that is the most important thing to remember! He had two wishes to fulfill before he died: to complete 9th grade and to go to one more week of Camp Sunrise. He fought hard so he could make it out of the hospital so that he was able to finish 9th grade. Then, he fought harder to make it to camp for the whole week, even if it meant going home each night and coming back each morning or afternoon. He finished the week at camp with everyone else on August 6th. Just barely 2 weeks later, he died. He completed both his goals. To me, and I believe to everyone that knows him, he will always be a symbol of strength, perseverance, and motivation. As cancer patients and survivors, we all need to be positive when life seems to be against us and set goals for the future, as this boy did. Thanks to this boy, I am now even more determined to set and achieve my own goals.
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