Challenges of My Life
I'm Valerie and this is my story.
My story as someone who has had childhood leukemia has been a struggle my whole life. I still remember the hospital stays, however, everything else is at a blur.
Remembering a traumatic experience
I was at the age of 3 when I was diagnosed, it was 1985 were many of the types of chemo isn't used now in hospitals. I was in a hospital away from my parents because it was 4hrs away and they had my brother and another on the way to look after. My grandfather was always by my side though.
After a 1yr of treatment, I was able to go back home and at age 12 I didn't need to have any more follow up visits. It was a traumatic experience for me and until a severe weather event happened did I know how bad that experience was because I forgot about it growing up.
Choosing to fight
I will always have my scars from the needles and the port but I see them as a way to give someone hope. I am 35 now, married to someone who supports me and admires how strong I am. Due to the cancer being a blood kind I have chosen not to have children but we really would like to adopt one day.
I'm a survivor of a monster that almost took my life but I chose at a very young age to fight.
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