When I was growing up, I played a lot of sports. In high school, one of my favorites was wrestling. And with a lot of practice, I learned that I was really good at it. I was also very competitive. So, when people tried to tell me that I couldn’t win, it only motivated me to work harder — and to show them that they were mistaken.
I love proving the naysayers wrong and solving challenging problems. That’s why I feel so fortunate...
Discovering I had bone cancer when I was only 12 forced me to mature very quickly. Doctors found a growth about the size of an orange in my...
Losing bone density is common as you age, when cells that help rebuild bones aren’t replaced as quickly. Because of this, your bones may become...
Although it's been 18 years, I still clearly remember how scared my family was when I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my right femur at age 18. Looking back, I believe my youth and lack of understanding surrounding cancer kept my own anxiety in check. I’d noticed the bump above my knee but didn’t think much of it at the time. A family friend, who happened to be an orthopaedic surgeon, urged me to get an X-ray. After examining the...
Cancer doesn’t run in my family or my husband’s. Only one of my ancestors had it: my paternal grandmother died of lung cancer when I was 11...
In 2016, osteosarcoma was the last thing on my mind. I was a typical and active high-school junior playing sports and hanging out with my...
After losing most of my right leg at age 14 in November 2010 due to osteosarcoma, it was really hard for me to give up gymnastics. It had...
If you — or your child — were diagnosed with cancer, what would you do? How would you handle the treatments and the side effects? How would...
Many cancer patients have mantras — or inspiring sayings — that they do their best to live by. Some are reminders that good things can come...
As the parent of a cancer patient, when you first step through the doors of MD Anderson, you’re terrified. You’re not supposed to be here....