MEET EMALEE

Hey! I’m Emalee.  

Brain cancer is living with me. I was diagnosed with a Grade II Astrocytoma in January 2018. After my craniotomy, I spent months in physical, occupational, and speech therapy. My treatment regime included 12 weeks of radiation therapy and 12 months of chemotherapy. My world was turned upside down. My cancer is treatable, not curable. This means that my treatment is now ‘watch and wait’.  I see my oncologist on a routine basis to monitor for re-occurrence.  

I have found that many people think you are ‘healed’ once treatment is over, however this isn’t true. Recovery from cancer requires a lifetime of emotional and physical healing. One of the most challenging elements of this healing process is the constant reminder of disease. The possibility of its return. The potential of having your world turned upside down again in a moments notice. 

I have found that the best way to navigate this is to take it one appointment at a time. It isn’t easy, in fact it is very difficult. The night, heck the week(s), before a scan my mind runs wild. The moment I am alone under the MRI machine, I can feel tears well up in my eyes. Before every appointment, I sit alone in the sanctuary and reflect on the future that may come. To me, there are moments that are ‘before’ and ‘after’.  My life before cancer and my life after cancer. In those moments, I am comforted knowing that if the worse is yet to come, I have survived 100% of my worst days. 

During these in between periods, it is so important to celebrate the wins, big and small. Without a doubt, I could not navigate this journey without the support of my friends and family. Because no one should go through this journey alone, cheers to you friend! I pop my champagne for you!