From the eyes of the 22-year-old who knows to take life day by day and be grateful for every second of it... I look back and remember the week that went from normal to terrifying in the matter of minutes. Now, all I can think to say to the lady and her team who saved a 13 year old's life, "thank you". There's so much more I wish I could say, but really I can't think of the words.
Pediatrics goes beyond what you see on Grey's Anatomy. The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes is absolutely insane. And still after everything they do, they all make the point to make you feel loved, welcomed, and safe.
Thank you is not enough when you make me feel safe and important every single time I come in for a lab, or checkup. You calm me when internally I'm freaking out.
Pediatric oncologists are more than the people who perform surgeries. They are human beings with emotions, concerns, families, and lives. Though much of their day-to-day activities involve research, counseling, checkups on patients, many hours in surgery, and hospital visits, they also need to be able to care for their own families and kids as well. But, from a 13-year-olds perspective, I didn't think about that at the time.
I was more concerned with when I was going to be able to play sports again, and will my scars ever go away? I was more concerned with things than I was for my own life because my oncologists continually told me to chase my dreams. At the time I wasn't thinking about the fact that this procedure was indeed an emergency and it was going to be hard.
I wasn't focused on the idea that I might have a hard time conceiving a child or carrying it full term. Because while all those things were concerns and factors into how my oncologist and her team operated, they focused on me and my passions at the time.
Now at 22 years old, I can't help but look back at this journey and think about my oncologist and her team. At 22, she and her assistant, who have both been with me from the very beginning, continually make me feel safe and important. We talk about the progress my body has made, and the setbacks that have occurred. But above all else, we focus on the future. We stay hopeful for the future and view each and every day as a victory.
The words "thank you" don't feel like enough. Thank you doctors, nurses, researchers, firefighters, oncologists, teachers, parents. You have sacrificed so much of your time, life, and sleep so that 13 year old girls like me can have hope.
Thank you.
