By Erich Kittlaus

I was in the hospital for a week trying to figure out why I was sick. But even after that, the last thing I expected to hear was, “You have cancer.”  I was devastated. The only thought going through my head was, “Oh my God! I’m 21, and I’m about to die.”  My nurses comforted me, assuring me that my Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was very treatable.  But the first oncologist that saw me basically said that I had a few months to live—something not easy to comprehend.

My school was extremely supportive during the entire process.  I’m from California and was going to school at Concordia University Chicago, so I had to drop out for a year to receive treatments at home.  Numerous people from my school stayed in touch with me and were amazingly helpful in coordinating my return.  They made sure that I kept my financial aid and secured me a single room at no extra cost, as my immune system wasn’t fully recovered.  Several groups also held fundraisers to help pay my medical bills.

I decided early on that I was going to let the doctors worry about the disease while I kept living my life.  I was determined not to let my status as a cancer patient define me.  For several years before I got sick, I was a summer camp counselor, and I wasn’t going to let cancer keep me from doing that too.  My doctor, mother and even the camp director told me it wasn’t a good idea—but it was something I needed to do.  I was still going to chemo treatments every other Wednesday and frequently couldn’t participate in camp activities, but just being there helped me keep my mind off the disease.

Since returning to school, I’ve told my story at numerous Relay for Life events.  I’m also a member of Imerman Angels, a program that matches cancer patients with survivors so that they can build a support system.

I think the most important thing in fighting cancer is having the right mindset.  Don’t worry about the medical stuff. Just know and believe that you’re going to beat it.  I am living proof that a doctor condemning you to a grave means nothing.  But remember that you are fighting for your life.  Don’t lie around feeling sorry for yourself and wonder why it’s happening to you. Live your life and keep fighting—things will end up the way they are meant to.