I Became a Cancer Survivor at Age 3

As instructed to Shannon Shelton Miller

My standing as a most cancers survivor has formed my life. After I was 3, I used to be taking part in within the yard with my older sister, who observed blood spreading throughout my garments. She rushed me into the home and instructed my mother and father. They took my garments off and noticed a lump hanging from my physique.

They took me to the hospital instantly. Later, they’d be taught I had rhabdomyosarcoma, a really uncommon kind of most cancers that begins within the tender tissue and is mostly recognized in kids and teenagers. It’s a fast-growing most cancers, and my mother and father have been instructed I won’t reside previous 3.

I’m lucky the most cancers by no means returned after my remedies, however as a result of mine was in my bladder, my surgical procedure included an ostomy, and I’ve worn ostomy baggage ever since. One of many good issues about my prognosis was that I used to be so younger that this lifestyle is all I’ve ever identified.

Each my mother and father have been Christians, which helped me construct a powerful religion in God that I nonetheless have right this moment. I lived a blessed life as a result of my mother and father all the time inspired me and by no means handled me like a sick little one. I wasn’t seen any otherwise than my siblings. My mother by no means dressed me otherwise as a result of I had an ostomy bag. It was like a traditional life, which helped tremendously.

As I turned a young person and younger grownup, nonetheless, I began questioning about my future. My physique was altering and I used to be questioning various things about my life. Would my mates nonetheless settle for me? Would I get married sooner or later? Might I’ve goals and aspirations? Would I be restricted in what I can do?

The most important query was, “Why did this occur to me?” Why did I’ve most cancers? Why did I’ve to put on these baggage? It was tough in elementary and center faculty as a result of I used to be making an attempt to cover my secret. I needed the youngsters to just accept me, though they’d no thought what I used to be going by. Some days I used to be advantageous, some days I had questions and a few days I used to be depressed. Some days I did not know what I felt, however most of all, I needed that reply: Why me?

I did not get it till a lot later in life, however I needed to determine it out for myself.

Throughout my teenage years, my mother all the time instructed me I wanted to share my story, however I by no means knew why. She knew the rationale, however what she stated went in a single ear and out the opposite. I didn’t perceive till I used to be an grownup that my story may make a distinction for any individual else.

My story was in regards to the “after” — life after the remedies, after the surgical procedure, chemotherapy and radiation. What occurred “after” was what modified my life.

My story is my story. No one can inform it like me, however I’ve realized my story additionally belongs to others. My story belongs to that most cancers survivor, that particular person going by remedies, that particular person getting ostomy surgical procedure or that particular person going by the various totally different feelings I had already gone by. You by no means know who wants to listen to your story and the way it can change their life for the higher.

I had lastly discovered my why. What was I going to do with what made me totally different? I’d share my journey to let individuals know we’re all totally different to make a distinction for any individual else.

So that is my story. I’m an writer, a motivational speaker, ostomy advocate, most cancers survivor and style mannequin. I personal and function a modeling firm. I am very concerned in my church. I put on many hats.

After I look again and see that little 3-year-old woman within the yard and I have a look at myself now at 56, I do know I’ve lived a blessed life. I see how God has opened many doorways as a result of I’m a most cancers survivor. Lots of people need to know “Who is that this mannequin who has two ostomy baggage?” I used to be in a position to mannequin in numerous publications, on billboards and on TV. I’m nonetheless amazed and generally I simply ask, “Wow God, are you continue to exhibiting me my why?”

It’s been a number of years since I began sharing my story with others, in particular person and on my website and social media. Changing into an advocate has given me the chance to go to ostomy conferences and communicate to others like me. Final 12 months, I spent two weeks in South Africa after an ostomy group there noticed my Instagram and browse my story. They invited me to talk, which was such an superior alternative.

I do know a number of us aren’t speaking about this, so I attempt to share my journey to say to them, “Hey, pay attention, you continue to can reside a traditional life.” Healthwise, I’m completely advantageous. I’ve a yearly checkup with my specialist to verify all the pieces is okay.

I additionally wrote a guide, Pretty Girl Blues, and the title displays how I felt about my life. I’d appear like a fairly woman on the skin, however I’ve had many occasions after I felt so blue on the within. I talked about all the pieces in that 96-page guide — my work, dwelling, my friends, my marriage, my divorce and my modeling profession. This guide began as a journal, and it was therapeutic for me to get all of my ideas off my chest.

It’s additionally therapeutic for me to speak to different most cancers survivors. I can speak to different those who have an ostomy. We will share so many deep issues — and we perceive one another. It is like, “Oh my gosh, this occurred to you too?” It’s inspiring when you’ll be able to share your tales since you’re strolling in one another’s sneakers.

It makes such a distinction figuring out you’re not alone. It feels so good to listen to from different individuals with the identical expertise, and that conjures up me much more. It helps me preserve going.

I do know I’m totally different to make a distinction. That’s my “why.”

This instructional useful resource was created with assist from Merck.

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