Michele Cerami
My journey with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Stage 1, Large B Diffuse Cell, began in November 2000, just four months after I gave birth to my son. I never thought that at 29 years old, and just having a baby, that I would be diagnosed with cancer. I honestly do not think that I was fully prepared for what was going to transpire in my life at that time, as I had no idea what to expect in regards to my diagnosis and future treatments. It was then that I decided that I was in for the fight for my life and that I wanted to be here for my son and watch him grow up. I had to endure CHOP chemotherapy (4 rounds) and 20 radiation treatments. I completed all my treatments a few days before my 30th birthday that following year.
Fast forward eighteen years later and I am here for a reason. In those eighteen years, I acquired my Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees online and have reinvented myself as a Healthcare Consultant specializing in cancer care. So you see, cancer did not define me or set me back. In fact, it is catapulting my life. I have always said to others that I am here for a reason and that reason is to support other cancer patients and their family members.
GRYT is having cancer at 29 and not letting it define me as a new mom.
GRYT is my dad helping to take care of my newborn son because cancer was not going to win.
GRYT is saying I am an 18-year cancer survivor and still going strong. I am a warrior.
GRYT is me saying I AM HERE FOR A REASON.
