I was already managing Crohn’s disease when I started feeling even more exhausted and unwell than usual. It was shortly after Christmas in 2015, and I was 27 years old. My doctor noticed my white blood cell count was extremely high and scheduled a bone marrow biopsy. That’s when I was told I had cancer — and given a prescription that didn’t take my Crohn’s into account. I left that appointment feeling dismissed and overwhelmed.
I decided to get a second opinion at a cancer center. That was the first and only appointment my parents attended with me. When the oncologist confirmed my diagnosis and offered a treatment plan that truly considered my needs, I finally felt seen. But after that day, I’ve navigated this journey on my own — handling appointments, treatment, and finding resources by myself. It’s been a long road, but I’ve stayed on top of it. Cancer is just another diagnosis I manage — like all the others — with strength and determination.
Shemeka’s LifeList:
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A trip