The story Cancer by Janice Deal is told from third person limited point of view. The author focuses primarily on the one character Janine, to the exclusion of the other characters. We know very little of the other characters, Janine’s coworkers and her male friend, but we are armed with a plethora of information about Janine. We get to know her intimately.
In 2020, I was in the hospital after I was diagnosed with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which even for leukemia patients is scary because I had one of the hardest chances to be cured. I had to deal with the stress of death which most kids at 13 shouldn’t ever have to worry about. I felt hopeless after my diagnosis and thought to myself, why me? How is that fair? I also had to deal with the constant reminder that I was different from everyone else, they had never been through the struggles I have, and they didn’t have to restrengthen themselves and work even harder just to come back.
As years pass and the showers of spring turn into the blossoms of summer which than turn into the leaves of fall, my mother regained her strength. As the leaves start falling in late October, I see my mother under the pink balloon arch reading “Breast Cancer Awareness Walk” wearing a pink cotton t-shirt reading “survivor” in big block letters. As the shrill of the whistle echoes throughout the street signaling that the walk as begun, I cheer with excitement and wave my pink pom-poms in the air from the sideline as my mother walks by me waving both her hands. The surrounding cheers reverberate in my mind as I see my mother continue walking, and all that’s left for the audience to see is “survivor” written in big letters on the back of her pink
I have already embarked on a journey to explore the existing breast cancer options available and research on this topic, as it affected my mother who underwent screening for breast cancer. The search has led me to the University of Texas at Dallas, which has became my top choice because I know it will help me achieve my goal. UTD offers many research opportunities, and one specifically is breast cancer. My goal is to one day become an oncologist, but until then I wish to learn the necessary expertise, and doing research at the University that can help me do just that. Since this is a struggle my mother has to face daily, I know I am exceedingly motivated to push through my academics not only with high grades but also by entering any research opportunity I find.
It is January of 2005, and I am on my way to Columbus for my first chemotherapy. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of last year. My two sons, Jeff and Jason are coming along with me. Jeff is driving, Jason is in the passenger seat and I 'm in the back seat of Jeff’s 2002 GMC Envoy. I glance out the window and watch as we pass the Shoe.
On May 21, 2014 my life completely flipped upside down. I will always remember what I did on that day, this is the day my mother passed away from battling breast cancer. Watching her beautiful life taken from her at such a young age from a terrible disease. I promised to live my life to the fullest after realizing how a life can be taken right from this world. Never taking anything for granted because you might lose it the next
When I was twelve a six letter word with such definition tore my world apart. I didn’t know what to do at that moment, I didn’t know how to react to the dreadful news. And to my surprise, it started with one phone call, a phone call that simply changed who I am, but not just who I am, but how I view the world. I never thought it can happen to me or my family, I thought we were free from such an intrusive disease. However, I was wrong, way wrong.
Other personal experiences include two of my siblings, who served in Iraq, and were exposed to enemy gunfire while serving. I lost my grandmother eight years ago, who was my rock in every possible way. My grandmother was diagnosed with Leukemia, which she kept from everyone in my family until two months before her death. I believe family stress developed due to her sudden death. Aside from family stress, I personally struggled with my grandmother’s death, who reflected as a woman with great strength and lots of wisdom; who also taught me values, honesty, and community.
“Your grandma has cancer,” These four words were very difficult to swallow at a young age. Dealing with death so young can be very confusing and difficult to cope with. Not only is losing a family member tragic, but losing a family member who you cared so much about can really take a toll on your life. I know it took a toll on me when I lost my grandmother. It still does till this day.
As young boy my mom went to the doctor and they discovered a cist on her pancreas. When she told us I was distraught and was scared because this is the first time in my life that my family was really hit by something none of us could control. Luckily the procedure was easy and they removed it without a problem. This past year my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and my uncle with brain cancer. My mom had a surgery performed in May to remove the cancer cells and had to do six weeks of radiation.
On Robert’s first day of being cancer-free, we headed down to the beach, to enjoy ourselves and celebrate. When we arrived, Robert ran to the beach and got in the water. He looked like a child, who was just given back his favorite toy. But for him he had just been given back his life, and his happiness. Seeing the joy in Robert, warmed my heart.
I have recently interviewed my grandmother, she is the mother of my father her name is Ngawiki Cooper. I asked her what was the first thing that she noticed differently about herself? She responded, Well i was 69 years old when i first notice a change in my breast, then I was advised to by my partner to go to the next screening, and it wasn 't until my breast got very painful till i took his advice, by that time i was 70 years old and i was too late the cancer had already speared into both my breast.
My passion for medicine began at the age of 7 when my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. He was given chemotherapy and radiation to get rid of the cancer, but it only made him sicker. I remember him losing weight, hair and even his appetite. I felt helpless wishing to change things, wishing to have my grandpa back. Within months, the cancer had spread out of control, and he was dead.
One of my future goals and the most important one is to become a doctor. It is my life dream, and the only thing I am seeking for. Doctor is someone capable to save and help others life in ways that are not possible in other careers. Being a doctor for me is not just like any job, it is achieving a dream I have since I was 6 years old. One of the main reasons I picked this major is my family; my family members are almost all doctors, and my dad too.
