TIMELINE
My journey with Big C
WHO I WAS
Flew to California for college in 2015 Fall. I was just an international student from Japan full of dreams and expectations for life ahead.
SYMPTOMS
In 2016, just a little after a year of living in my dream studying in college, I was feeling some unneglectable symptoms. Then I was recommended to visit the school nurse's office.
DIAGNOSIS
The school nurse I saw at that time, checked me and immediately felt the need to take me to the ER. Then a couple of hours later, I was given a diagnosis that 80% I have cancer in my body.
Doctors decided to put me in the hospital right away.
TREATMENT
I have done all the cancer treatments anyone could think of. Chemotherapy, radiation, and auto-transplant. ( the picture was for my radiation)
HOSPITAL
The hospital I was in did so much work for me. Especially since I was just on a student visa, paperwork was very difficult. But social workers, nurses, and Child Life staff at the hospital were the people who helped me get through this difficult time. (Mickey has the power to make anyone smile)
PEOPLE
Even when I was discharged from the hospital, I couldn't go back to my apartment. So the hospital arranged for me to stay at Ronald McDonald House nearby. It was a very precious opportunity for me because of the people I've met there.
EVENTS
The events I was able to attend at the hospital were amazing. It made me feel like I was a "normal" and cheered me up. How much effort and work the hospital put to support patients emotionally was amazing. My very first prom was the CHOC prom 2016.
SCHOOL
While I was in the treatment, I went back to school part-time. I still remember the first time going back to school without any hair and how every single person looked at me. But life had to go on...
JOURNALISM
While I was going through treatment, I realized many my age were struggling with cancer. So, I decided to major in journalism to help bring more awareness. I just loved it. I was in school newspaper class, and though some of my pieces were full of grammar mistakes, I had so much help and I was so thankful for it.
GRADUATION
After finishing my last chemotherapy in December 2017, I was finally able to graduate in May 2018. One of the biggest achievements in my life.
RETURN TO HOME
In July 2018, I returned to Osaka, Japan my hometown for the first time in 3 years. Even then, I was given an opportunity to do volunteer work with team NEGU!
