10/01/2020 By Raelea Webster

I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age 26 and only a few months away from graduating graduate school. At the time my life consisted of two jobs, an internship, visits to the gym, and classes. I was literally running on empty and trying to push through while chalking my extreme fatigue up to normal grad school life. Cancer has a way of stopping you in your tracks, but looking back I’m grateful for that. I’m learning to take better care of myself and trusting God the entire way. It’s been two years of treatment with one more year to go and thank God I’ve reached remission. I cannot wait to get back to my career as a mental health therapist and reach those experiencing what I did.

GRYT is going back to grad school in the midst of treatment because cancer can’t take your dream way.

GRYT is staying active on the weeks you are not in pain and cooking whenever you can because it’s what you love.

GRYT is sharing your story when you can because you never want to forget the path it took to becoming the strong woman you are today.

Editor’s note: As of March 2022, Raelea updated us: 

I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age 26 and only a few months away from graduating from graduate school. At the time my life consisted of two jobs, an internship, visits to the gym, and classes. I was literally running on empty and trying to push through while chalking my extreme fatigue up to normal grad school life. Cancer has a way of stopping you in your tracks, but looking back I’m grateful for that. I’m learning to take better care of myself and trusting God the entire way. I am now three out from treatment and two years into my career as a Mental Health Therapist. Some days are harder than others and I recognize when it’s time to rest. Overall the trials that I’ve faced have actually helped shape me into a great therapist. Follow my story on Instagram @cancercouldntstopme.