#HilaryRowland
5 Things I Learned from Having Cancer
Not everyone is lucky enough to have –and learn from– cancer in their early 30’s.
Not everyone is lucky enough to get –and beat– cancer in their early 30’s. Sound like a strange thing to say? I don’t think it is. Let me explain why.
After surviving cancer, I’m still sometimes afraid of dying young, but I have a lot more clarity around many areas of my life.
I’d been feeling low-energy for a few months, and had been getting crazy 4-day-long crippling migraines. That, coupled with an itchy rash that kept me up all night every night scratching, had me feeling like I was in my early 80’s, not my early 30’s. I went to see doctor after doctor who prescribed various pharmaceuticals that did nothing to make me feel better — or only helped temporarily. Two doctors even insisted that I had “chronic Lyme Disease” and tried to get me to go on aggressive courses of antibiotics (which I declined, I’m happy to say).
Finally, after over a year of this, I learned that I’d have to take my health into my own hands if I was to get better, and I started doing a ton of online research. I’d like to say it was me who figured out that I had cancer, but it was, in fact, my mother’s startlingly effective research skills that cracked this case almost a year and a half after I first got sick, and started me on my long journey of recovery.
Me, getting yet another round of tests
Here are five reasons why –although having cancer was certainly a harrowing experience not only for me, but for my family– I actually feel lucky to have gone through it:
karen white
You’re story help us to be strong as an individual. You are such a blessing in disguise for us to be thankful and greatful from God! Continue to be a blessing #hilaryrowland 🙂
Faye
This is such an inspiring post that is a great reminder and wake up call for everyone to see the bright side and integrate the lessons that they learned into everything that they do for the better. You can move hearts with words and this has certainly moved mine. Such a great read that I will definitely come back too!
Jennifer Kirkpatrick
I’m so happy you’re better now!!
Christine Wiggin
Thank you for sharing this story 🙂
Mona Murrell
I hope you call your mom everyday!!
Nancy Kerr
How long did the whole thing go on for?
Diane Roth
4 + years 🙁
Katrina Giron
Life threw you a good punch. I’m happy you punched back !
Ella Rodriguez
Why can’t we all be healthy forever!?
Mira Kent
You broke everything down so well in this piece
Sandra Walling
It really is all about relationships. They’re the best medicine