I Don't Want It To Happen To You.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
By: Stephanie Clarkson

I never imagined that at age 19 I would be able to say that I am a cancer survivor. The summer before I was to enter university, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I never want anyone else to go through what I have.

My name is Stephanie Clarkson. I am now a Cancer Survivor. My last chemotherapy treatment was February 17, 2009.

My journey started a few weeks after I graduated from grade 12 when a lump developed on my neck. It grew to be the size of a golf ball. We never imagined that it would be cancer. After all, "it's probably just your thyroid", and "the chance of it being cancer is less than 5%!"

But many doctor appointments, many tests, one fine needle biopsy, one tissue biopsy, and one bone marrow biopsy later, I was a diagnosed "Cancer Patient". I had Hodgkin's Lymphoma, stage II-A.

Thankfully we had caught the disease early. This meant that I would only have to go through 6 rounds of chemotherapy. Every second week for 6 months, my family and I trekked to the Allan Blair Cancer Center and poisoned my body with drugs that would kill my cancer. On the weeks in between, we went to the hospital to get blood work done. And I know that I am one of the lucky ones.

I have had such amazing support for my entire journey. From my Mom, Dad, and brother, Chris. From the rest of my loving family, even though they couldn't be with me physically. From my unfailing friends, despite their busy lives. From the knowledgeable doctors and caring nurses.

Cancer doesn't just affect the patient. It has a ripple effect; reaching out and touching all those close the patient. And it steals. It stole my energy, my beautiful hair, my ability to work. It stole my 19th birthday, my university experience, my chance to donate blood for others. It stole my confidence and sense of self. It stole time.

I Relay because I want to fight what took so much from me. I want to kick cancer out of the future and make it a thing of the past. I never want another 18 year old to be diagnosed. I never want ANYONE else to hear the words "You have Cancer". And to make this disease non-existent everyone needs to contribute. Because if cancer could get me, it can get you or someone you love.