How Cancer Made Me a Better Person

In 2007, my life took a turn for the worse -- or maybe the better depending on how you look at it.  I was 29 years old, happily married for 7 years, and my lovely daughters were two and four years of age. I was teaching Social Studies at my school and had a follow-up doctor appointment during my lunch break.  It was here at this appointment that I got the news from my doctor.  I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and cancer was now a part of my life. Wow, what a shock!  I went back to my classroom, finished the day teaching, and tried to understand what just happened. A few weeks later, my first chemo treatment was scheduled for the day after Christmas.  It was a “gift” I never asked for and a gift I will never forget.

 
Receiving my first chemotherapy treatment the day after Christmas.

Receiving my first chemotherapy treatment the day after Christmas.

 

Though this tragic news was devastating at the time, as I look back on it now, this was also a turning point in my life.  A point in which I began the long road of asking better questions and seeking solutions to better my life.  In the end, cancer was ultimately a wakeup call to begin an improved future. Now, 10 years later at the time of this post, I am so grateful to be cancer free and have a new perspective on life.

Those years of cancer, and post-cancer, were certainly tough.  They were some of worst years of my life. My days were worrisome and my health was horrible.  Post-cancer was almost worse for me as the radiation and chemotherapy had not only destroyed the cancer cells, but also the rest of my body.  Physically I was a wreck, and when you can’t go to work, or feel miserable when you do, life gets extremely hard. Although these years were awful, I wouldn’t trade them if I could.  It’s in these darkest of times that foundations are made on solid ground, and seeds of truth are planted that eventually bear much fruit.  

 
My month at Mayo Clinic receiving radiation treatment.

My month at Mayo Clinic receiving radiation treatment.

 

Looking back, cancer was the start of a new beginning and a start for the new me. The seeds that were planted during this trial produced fruits of love, joy, peace, gratefulness, perseverance, less negativity, more generosity, and so much more. I truly believe that I am a better person with a better perspective on life because of my days with cancer.

Though much of the Mister Harms blog is about teaching and the classroom, in the months and years to come I also hope to share about what I have learned regarding health, and living life.  From experience, having health and life are also necessary to be successful in the classroom.  It’s much harder to help others, and be a positive influence, when I am physically sick or even mentally drained.  

 
Recovering from my cancer treatments.

Recovering from my cancer treatments.

 

During these past 10 years, many individuals and life experiences have spoken truth into my own life. Whether you happen to be a school teacher like myself, or working in a totally different profession, hopefully aspects of my story can be beneficial for you or someone you know.   I truly want others to enjoy life as much as possible and be the best version of themselves they can be. If I can help someone else recover from their current situation, give another hope for tomorrow, or even prevent others from experiencing what I went through - all the better.

So if you want to follow along, I’ll be sharing some of these beneficial experiences that have had a huge impact on my life.  Sign up for my lifestyle newsletter that will focus on my life mission statement: being rooted in truth, growing in freedom, and prospering in all of life.

Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to contact me as I’d love to meet you.


 
HealthMister HarmsCancer, health, healthy lifestyle, chemotherapyComment