Celebrating Survivorship Lesli Dahlke

IN CELEBRATION OF SURVIVING!

My Story is not unlike any other cancer patient diagnosed with the words, ”You have cancer”. Stunning words you never want to hear. And then there they are. Real, shattering. Everything changes in an instant, for a lifetime.

My first cancer occurred in 1990. It was a very rare one and I was 38 years old. The diagnosis was a soft tissue sarcoma, a liposarcoma. I would have an eight hour surgery and sacrifice five precious organs. I set out on a journey that would take me thirty years into a life filled with challenges, struggles, and the sweetness of surviving and thriving. My life has been filled with the joys of adventure, overcoming almost insurmountable obstacles, and always moving forward.

In 2010, six weeks short of my 20th Year of Surviving, I was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, T-Cell Large Grangular Lymphatic Leukemia (T-LGLL). I was so disappointed by the timing of the diagnosis because it was so close to the BIG Twenty Anniversary and yet not over the finish line! Then I realized, “I did make it to the 20th Anniversary and over the finish line! This is a separate incident and has nothing to do with the accomplishment and celebration of surviving my first cancer!” So I did what I always planned on doing, I ordered an exquisitely beautiful and delicious cake! I was a Survivor! I was celebrating! And I was thriving! The new diagnosis could wait, like Scarlet O’Hara in Gone With The Wind, ”I will think about it tomorrow.”

In 2011, I was diagnosed with the pair to my LGL Leukemia, T-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The picture was complete. I had my third cancer diagnosis and I now faced the new challenges of finding treatment for these rare diseases. The journey took me to The City of Hope for many years of successful care, treatment, and management. As new side effects, neurological ailments and rare disorders developed and became complications of an unknown nature, City of Hope was unable to offer solutions.

I sought other sources for treatment and moved from California to Arizona to be treated at The Mayo Clinic. A cancer patient learns to be their very best advocate and no one looks out for you better than YOU! The significant factor in managing and navigating care, treatment, stresses, and everyday living is to be proactive in your own life. Most of the “hard work” of surviving is done by the patient herself. This is the most important part of my story and what little treasure or gem I share with all those who read my story.

Keep going no matter what the medical community tells you, the fears that good meaning friends or family express, no matter how hard it is, no matter how weary you become or fill in the blank of the challenge-NEVER ever give up on yourself. If you are diagnosed with cancer, you are a survivor and are on your way. Look ahead to a beautiful world filled with colors unimaginable and textures and hues so intense their brilliance is breathtaking; these images are what make up the tapestry that is YOU! The world awaits you. Be in this moment!