Personal Narrative-Metastasized Stage IV Liver Cancer

Growing up, I have had to endure the loss of many family members to the devastating disease we all know as cancer. My family history varies from the different types of the illness from lung cancer, leukemia, breast cancer, ovarian, and so on. My mother and grandmothers on my mother's and father's sides suffered from ovarian, leukemia, and breast cancer respectively. I have seen the horrible effects it has on the victim and their families, and knowing that pain and grief personally, makes me believe that I would be a great nurse in oncology. I want to help those going through what could be some of the toughest times in their lives if not the toughest.

Nearly 14.5 million Americans have had a history stint with some type of cancer and were still alive on January 1, 2014(American Cancer Society, 2016). There will be an estimated 1,685,210 new cancer cases and 595, 590 deaths in 2016 attibuted to caner in the U.S. (American Cancer Society,2016 ) Those astonishing numbers do not even account for the cancer patients family and friends whose lives are also affected this horrific disease. In order to get a glimpse of what a cancer patient has to go though, I decided to read Stuart Scott’s memoir, Every Day I Fight, by Larry Platt. He is an ESPN anchor that was diagnosed with a rare form of Appendiceal Cancer. It was a great book, and wanted to discuss the merits this book had on showing what

Experiencing the hardships of cancer in my family and in my community has made my duty to society very personal. I want to continue in this field not only because of my interest, but to help my community as much

Summer of 2012, my grandfather was diagnosed with stage four Glioblastoma, and given only one year left to live. He had gone to have surgery earlier that week for the removal of his progressive tumor; his condition began to grow worse. The doctors got the tumor on the first try, but it was going to be a while before my grandfather felt back to normal. My family had many more trails and hardships to face in the near future.

Also, I find the dynamics of cancer treatment to be absolutely fascinating. I’ve experienced the physical and emotional toll it takes on an individual and their family, and I would like to make a contribution to help better understand the disease as well as better the lives of those who are diagnosed. Along with seeking acceptance into the SURF+ program, I am also in the process of looking for opportunities in which I can volunteer or work in a cancer care setting. Volunteering or working in a cancer care setting while supplementing that experience with research in the field is an extremely rare and invaluable opportunity. If I am accepted, I am almost certain that my experiences during this summer will serve as the core of any of my future endeavors. Currently, I am close to wrapping up my first year of volunteering with Honor Health at the Deer Valley Medical Center, and I can say, without any hesitation, that my desire and motivation to make health care my career has only continued to grow. Additionally, I have taken the time to learn about MIHS itself, its mission, and the services it provides to the

My professional goal is two stages. First, get my Bachelors of Science in nursing, then my Masters of Science in nursing. Second, to work as a registered Oncology nurse, combining both treatments and nutritional guidance for cancer patients and persons who are at risk. Once I acquire my degree in nursing Alaska Regional, whom I currently work for; will have me work in different departments as a nurse to gain valuable training in various fields of nursing. Ultimately, this experience will make me a better nurse in the field of my choice, Oncology. Today, I volunteer as a breast cancer mentor. Mentoring women who are undergoing double mastectomies and cancer treatments along with their families has become very important and rewarding to me. It

Each year, approximately 12.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer and unfortunately that number is not decreasing. My sister, Caitlin, was a part of that statistic 12 years ago, and to say her Ewing’s Sarcoma changed not only her life, but also my family’s would be an understatement. As a child, witnessing the deterioration of my sister’s health and the my family’s normalcy ultimately shaped me into the person I am today; a person that welcomes change with a resilient nature built on a foundation to never quit. I am blessed to say that my sister is flourishing and her cancer has been in remission and upon meeting her today, one would have no idea she ever endured such a relentless disease. Nevertheless in the past two years, my mother

I participate in the Teen Life Council at St. Louis Children’s hospital. The mission of the Teen Life Council is to make St. Louis Children’s Hospital a better place for teen patients by advising the hospital staff on issues important to teens, working to improve the activities available to teen patients, and planning events that will make the hospital a more enjoyable place for teens during their stay. I got involved in the teen life council about two years ago when, my tennis coach who often volunteers at the hospital recommended me for this council. At age seven I was diagnosed with stage three Lymphoma cancer and was treated at Children’s hospital. Now I have been in remission for nine years and thought my previous experience as a patient

There is no mincing of words, nor is there a phrase with gentle connotations to adequately articulate the emotional, psychological or physical place that cancer forces upon you. Quite frankly, battling cancer sucks. The individual engaged in the battle and their support system can choose to crumble or rally. To crumble is to become angry and resentful. To rally is to rise up and use your experiences to help others. I was fortunate that my support group didn’t give me an option to crumble. I was raised in a family, in a church community that focuses on service. So, at 14 battling cancer, I was told that the only way out was through and to get through the turmoil of cancer, I was expected to find a “cancer” mentor and find a way to give back.

Six years and then four months. First ALS then Glioblastoma. Rewind. A lot is missing. My story has partially been told already in this portfolio called "A Love Diagnoses." Continue. Since the time of the essay I have passed. October 17, 2016. You see, the time before I passed, I was in and out of hospitals. So much had gone wrong and doctors could not even pinpoint a cause or a solution. A hypothesis, the multiple drugs I had been on were causing my organs to fail and liquid to build up in my abdomen. These drugs, however, were showing progress of shrinking the tumor in my head. But they had to take me off the drugs because my body could not take it. Miserable. So miserable. My kids would visit me. While they were in the hospital room doctors

You never know how essential a person is to you until they are no longer in your life. 7.6 million pure lives are lost every year due to this distressing disease. The volleyball team of Ontario High School was fortunate enough to promote awareness for various types of cancers. Our creative way to get the school and community involved is hosting a volley for a cure match and auctioning prizes off and having a bake sale. This hits home with me because my papa battled this life threatening disease for over thirty years. Thousands of dollars are raised in creative ways and donated in optimism to finding a cure to kick cancer's butt.

As a young girl, I dreamed of growing up and becoming many different things. I wanted to be a princess, a journalist, and even a forensic pathologist. But during the summer of 2012, all of those dreams floated away and my life was forever changed. That summer, I got the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at Children’s Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham. I held several positions during my time there. I entertained children in the clinic waiting rooms and helped patients and their families navigate around the hospital. But my absolute favorite place to be was the oncology clinic. There, I met a young girl with leukemia who would come in for treatment during my volunteer shift. She was the happiest little human that I had ever come in contact with.

The purpose of this interview is to open a dialogue between family members where the adult can pass on their experience and coping skills to their children, while the child can teach the biological basis of cancer to their parents. Most Americans have been touched by cancer in one way or another, but may not know exactly what is happening to the patient’s body.

Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to work in Oncology. Specifically, I wanted to work at St. Jude’s Medical Center. All I have yearned for in life is to become a person that can take away the pain that someone is going through just with a simple smile and a conversation. The pain won’t necessarily vanish, but to be able to take it away even for a second and to keep one’s mind off of what is mentally and physically harming them would be successful in my eyes. Through this semester, I acquired the knowledge and tough lesson that I am not perfect and that nothing is guaranteed.

It’s a calm afternoon. Birds chirping, with a light breeze blowing. Basketball is on in the background; it’s March, after all. Seemingly this was like any other day, but in a few minutes it would quickly become one that changed my life. I’m upstairs in my room, running through my agenda for what would soon be due on Monday. Before long, a familiar voice hits my ears. “Jake, can you come meet me in the living room?” my Dad yells upstairs. As I arrive, I notice the entire family has congregated. The feeling in the room is rather tense, and I know at this point that something’s wrong. As soon as I sit down, my Dad utters four words that would shake me to my core: “Jake, I have cancer.”