Mandy is Not like the other kids

For most of my life I’ve felt different than others. When I was 8, I was diagnosed with Leukemia. It’s an aggressive bone cancer that was present in 98% of my bone marrow. I went through chemotherapy for 2 and a half years, lost all my hair, and most social interaction due to the fact that my immune system prevented me from ever leaving my house or the hospital. I missed out on a very large chunk of my childhood, and had 5 near death experiences during those two and a half years. At one point, I even had to say goodbye to my family, not knowing if I’d make it through the night.

I was forced to mature mentally at a very young age, and I’ve felt the repercussions of that through my young adulthood. What I took from surviving childhood cancer, has made me feel different. I’ve appreciated the things life’s given me, a little more than most, and try to always look at my life as a second chance. Not many people get to truly gain that perspective on life, and I’m thankful I have that to set me apart.

@ manda.whitney

Thank you Maralee Nielson