HLRCCMommy98's Journey:

Excised clearer margins of original biopsy site in which malignant cells were found in the skin on my mid back. I was 8 months pregnant when diagnosed.

I had a new baby nursing on my lap & immediately had to start juggling Chemotherapy & Radiation treatments for my toddler son.

ALL OF MY CHILDREN TEST POSITIVE... Means for me, we have a million doctor's appointments & can no longer hold down a job during the day at all.

Husband of 12 yrs has affair while our toddler is doing chemo. He gets her pregnant & leaves us - a part of me feels he did because we are all labeled "DEFECTIVE" now. I know this is not true. But that's how I can somehow rationalize my insanity lately.

My best friend dies of Lung Cancer 3 yrs ago (January 2011). She was the godmother of all 4 children. I miss her so much!

I had to pull the strength out of my XXX on this one & decide to go back to school to be a NURSE - specifically Pediatric Oncology. My life was in ruins, no other decision was more clear than putting the pieces back together of my shattered life. Afterall, you can't learn this stuff even in the best nursing school. :)

5 yrs in remission (January 5, 2009). Now I can donate blood & up my life insurance policy!

I am very proactive about keeping up with my preventive screenings at MD Anderson. I have to be. I drag all 4 children to all of their screenings as well with the Cancer Clinic at Texas Childrens. I am screened by Sarcoma, Gynecology, Genti-urinary, Dermatology, Internal Med, and Endo. clinics. LUCKY ME.

I volunteer at the cancer clinic and do arts & crafts projects with the children doing chemo. They are so inspiring. No pity parties, the kind I sometimes throw when life becomes overwhelming. I want to do Pediatric Oncology as a nurse. They are so innocent & precious. They are so strong! I envy their strength.... My own son is my hero - a stage 4 kidney cancer survivor. I'm embarassed to say I had cancer after seeing what my child had to endure at age 3.