The best second chance I ever had
Saturday, June 11, 2011
By: Siobhan Darlington-Moore

I was diagnosed with malignant germ cell cancer on one of my kidneys at age two and a half; though the images of my struggles are hazy, it is the experiences that followed the disease that have been the most rewarding.

The thing about having germ cell cancer on your kidney (very odd) at the age of two (even more odd) is that you really do not remember the worst of it all. I remember going into a large white scanning machine, sneaking off to the playroom, having no hair, and choosing my own hat from the tickle trunk to cover my baldness. My hat was pink and way too big for me. I remember the other children in the ward that were sick too, a boy named Eric, the baby that I gave a stuffed Simba toy to on his birthday. I also remember my family supporting me, and always having my little brother play with me in those little orange cars with yellow tops on them.
My tumor was massive, and it prevented one of my kidneys from developing properly; it too was removed. I have my horizontal scar, going all the way across my stomach, slicing me in half, and my portacath to remind me every day how lucky I am to be alive. My circumstances were so bizarre that no doctors could confirm that my treatment would even work, and told my parents to prepare themselves. If nature had of run its course, I would not be here. Something wants me to live, and accomplish something great.
Fortunately I have been able to help others with their struggles with cancer at Camp Goodtime; a place where young survivors come together, who can remember every single detail, all of the pain, and still continue to fight. These children are far braver than any other beings I have ever met with. Camp allowed me to meet children with cancer of all different types, and allowed me to feel entirely accepted. No one stares at my scars, no one gasps with shock when finding out what they are from, and no one judges me for it. It truly is the most magical place.
I have been Cancer free for 16 years.