Just over a year ago I was diagnosed with Stage 2a Hodgkin's Lymphoma 8 hours before I was supposed to go on the "Trip of a lifetime" to Italy for 4 months with study abroad. Unfortunately I was unable to do that and rather was tasked with the "Extended stay at home of a lifetime." A lot has changed since then. First and foremost I single handedly maxed out my parents deductible, so that was pretty cool! My Dad effectively got some free toe surgery out of the deal! I got to spend lots of time with my two wonderful, understanding, kind and caring…Dogs! All be it with no kisses from Rocky due to my weakened immune system. Those two dogs are just such troopers and I really love 'em!

More importantly I got a lot of time to spend with my Dad, Mom and brother Matt. (Dan…not so much…he didn’t want to "catch cancer"… I guess it's fair since cancer is pretty serious!) I got to spend more time with my family in those 5 months or so with my family then since when I first when to college in 2015. I am forever grateful for all the laughs and jokes to get me through the days! I wouldn't have been able to do it without you all there to help me out!

Since my diagnosis I have taken classes at both the U of M and summer classes in Boston to graduate mostly on time. Even learned that I still like German although it is super hard for no real reason. Went into and out of a serious relationship that, like all relationships, taught me more about myself than it did about being a better boyfriend…I'm still not a perfect boyfriend yet, sorry ladies! Saw my brother pursue his career and move to Atlanta. Saw my FAVORITE brother get married! Shout out to Karrisa, sorry Matt's dog is a complete shit starter.

I got to walk with my graduating class, even had Cum Laude for a couple months....then I got a B-....LOL whoops! I watch my friends get jobs that were all well deserved. I got the Job I wanted! (Technically the offer was extended to me 8 days before I was diagnosed with cancer…but I didn't accept it until after I was diagnosed…so I'm going to count it since like I had the cancer the whole time I did the internship. Also this is my FB post so I can do what I want!)

I was lucky enough to get the chance to go to Cape Cod for the first time a week before I left Massachusetts. I did go down to Atlanta over father's day and rode a Jet Ski for the first time with my Second favorite brother, Dan. I even got 10 days of summer slipped in there! I got a trip down to visit my Nonie in Milwaukee, and went up to Grand Forks to go riding with one of my best friends!

I've had a lot of fun at work so far and am very excited to see where this takes me. It looks like it will be a hard but fun and rewarding road at Land O'Lakes! I moved up to Fargo for my first year-long rotation where I working at Winfield United. I even got my first and subsequently second apartment already!

 

I think the biggest take away I have garnered from this past year is to not let the river toss you around like a ragdoll, but if the river is moving, and I mean moving, move with it! There will be points and moments when you can dig your own channel and create your own route, but sometimes you are in the rapids and just holding on for dear life. From time to time just making it to the next day in one piece is a major accomplishment. With that being said when you are in the calm bits don't just sit around. Grab an ore and start paddling!

 

Thank you to everyone, new friends and old ones, that have supported me this past year and for helping through my personal "rapids!"

 

P.S. I did beat the Cancer…I forgot to say that in there…it was kinda implied