Two years ago, I came home from a softball game to some of the most devastating news of my life.
My parents called my brothers and me into the living room for a family meeting and just by the looks on their faces I knew something was not right. My dad began to talk about what happened at the his doctor's appointment that day, and my mom began to cry. My brothers and I were being told that my dad had colon cancer. They were not sure what stage yet, but the cancer was definitely there.
After a couple more doctor's appointments, the doctors decided that the cancer was stage 2B. It was just in the colon, but it looked like it could spread.
My dad had surgery in the middle of April. That day in school was the longest day of my life. I watched the clock as it slowly ticked away awaiting that text that he was out of surgery and going to be OK. It was not until 1:30 that I finally got the text. I had never been so relieved in my entire life.
The people who were in my life at that time were so supportive. The families that were on our softball and baseball teams really rallied behind my family. People brought us dinner, helped with rides and constantly checked up on my dad in the hospital. My softball team and my youngest brother's baseball team even put blue cancer ribbons on the back of all our helmets.
That year, our high school hosted the western Allegheny County Relay for Life. Our high school softball team made a team to honor my dad. We worked our butts off to raise money for our team. We had the best tent there. Everything was blue: blue ribbons, necklaces, ducks, tents...everything was blue to honor my dad. When he showed up, we all got the biggest smiles on our faces and we even shed a few tears. That man had done so much for everyone who was supporting him at that event.
Two years ago, my family's life changed. Although many people think of getting cancer as a curse, it was really a blessing for us. It brought us closer together as a family. It made me even think about how short life really is. My dad was 40 years old when he was diagnosed with this disease. Had it not been for how early we caught it, things may not be as they are today.
My dad has now been cancer-free for two years. I am thankful every single day for the fact that I still have him with me. Some people are not as lucky. People are given short time spans sometimes when it comes to cancer. Luckily, I am still getting time with my dad.
Thank you God for giving me more time with my father, thank you friends and family for standing behind us and thank you to the doctors who were able to help keep my family whole.
I am a daddy's little girl and although cancer almost tore me away from my daddy, it actually made us closer. Two years cancer free and more to come.
