"But I’m in nursing school.”
Those were the first words out of my mouth when I was told I had cancer. I was 7 weeks from graduation. I had already started the year grieving the loss of my father. I didn't know how I would make it through, but I knew one thing: I was going to graduate.
My journey wasn't a straight line. It was surgery one week and back to taking nursing exams the next. It was starting chemo the week of Christmas and losing my hair in January, only to show up at my clinical rotations the following week—determined to finish what I started.
The ultimate test came the day before my State Boards (NCLEX). I was rushed into emergency surgery for a life-threatening complication. Lying there, all I could say to the doctors was, “I’m supposed to take my boards tomorrow.”
Two weeks later, still healing from that emergency surgery, I sat for that exam. And I passed. 🎓🩺
When I finally walked up to ring the bell to mark the end of chemo, I didn't just ring it as a survivor. I rang it as Nurse Tina. My fellow nurses cheered and wrote "Nurse Tina" on my certificate.
I’ve been featured as a Hometown Hero and a Graduate Spotlight, but the title I’m proudest of is "Registered Nurse." I walked that stage, I got my degree, and today, I am cancer-free.
To anyone facing a mountain right now: Keep climbing. Your finish line is waiting.