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Getting back to normal

EllaR27
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Hiya, I’m Ella, I’m 16 and I have Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. I’m hopefully finishing chemo in March and starting to think about getting back to school properly and I’m finally doing my GCSEs later this year too.

I still find my diagnosis difficult to live with, even though I’m much better now. Everyone expects me to get over it and return to normal, but I don’t know what to do. It’s taken a chunk out of my life and I’m not sure if I’m going to be the same. I was only 14 when diagnosed so I’ve forgotten what it’s like to just be normal. Any advice from young survivors about getting back to normal?

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    Hi there ..

    And so wonderful to hear someone so young come out the other side .. someone I love very much is just starting her journey with leaukemia... though hers is acute myeloid one .. she's so young too ..

    I've been on this site nearly 3 years after my breast cancer... and I think the one thing I've found, is life is never the same old "normal" again .. cancer changes us .. but we have to find a new normal .. like when you were a baby, you had to learn to walk .. many times you'd fall down trying .. but up you got and tried again untill you walked on your own .. that's what you need to do now .. baby steps .. find the new you .. 

    It can be a good thing too .. because before cancer think most of us took life for granted .. post cancer .. we can take each day as a gift .. look at things and people with kinder eyes .. not rush through each day .. you have been on a journey that's like the scariest rollercoaster ever... now you come off that ride, be kind to your self .. go forward gently ... one baby step at a time .. and if you fall down, just get back up, till you can walk again ... big vertual hug... Chrissie xx

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    Hi Ella

    so sorry you have had to go through all of this and very understandable that you are feeling anxious about getting back to "normality" and whatever that is. 
    Perhaps you could mention this to one of your doctors or nurses when you see them and see if they can recommend any support groups, possibly on line if not in your area for young people as I am sure there will be some. It's just knowing where to look. 
     

    Good luck and sending you a big hug.

    lots of love

    Jayne

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