I’m Hailey, and I’m a survivor of Eye Cancer. It all began when I noticed something wasn’t quite right with my vision. I had a black spot that seemed to come and go in my right eye. I went to the doctor and found out that I had a tumor and that it was a fast-progressing, rare form of eye cancer.
My world fell apart right in front of me as my doctor recited the facts. I was in shock. I had to stop and take a minute to take in the idea that I, only 22 years old, had cancer. I was scared, felt alone, and was heartbroken.
But I didn’t stop there. I was determined to fight and beat cancer on my own terms. I had to put my mind and body in motion to fight this disease. I had to find the courage and strength to face the challenges before me.
So I decided to take control of my diagnosis and treatment options, and that meant taking a more holistic approach. I started yoga, meditation, and journaling, and that helped me to maintain a more positive outlook. I was determined to stay hopeful, and take active steps to manage my stress levels.
I decided to undergo the surgery that the doctor recommended to remove the tumor from my eye. I was so scared, but in the end, I knew it was the right decision. The surgery was a success, and the tumor was gone.
I made it through, and I’m proud to be a survivor. I learned so many lessons throughout my battle with eye cancer, and I’m proud that I made it out alive. I now know the power of hope, strength and courage, and I know that I am capable of anything. I’m thankful for the lessons that I learned, and I’m thankful to be here, alive and well, to share my story of survival.