lambmic2@pilot.msu.edu
Hi! My real name is Shelly Lamb and I am a 22 year old survivor of non-Hodgkin's t-cell Lymphoma.
After finishing my first semester of college, I found myself in the hospital for an emergency surgery in January 1996. I had developed an extremely large mass in my left groin. This surgery resulted in a biopsy of the small-orange sized tumor and subsequent diagnosis of cancer. It was initially a shocking diagnosis, but even more so with my family and friends. Instead of continuing my college career, I was forced to quit...cold-turkey. Not my idea of fun at barely 19 years of age. For the first half of 1996, I underwent chemotherapy (6 rounds of CHOP) followed by four weeks of radiation. Apparently, the treatments did the trick.
I have been cancer-free since I finished by treatments. I attribute that success to my positive view on life, my desire to return to school, and my reliance on writing. It is my hope to eventually compile my writings that I put to paper during my cancer ordeal in order to help young people cope with cancer.
I was also fortunate to have a wonderful, loving, caring family in addition to my best friends Amy, Karyn, Kristin, and Amy to help me stay happy.
I am currently in my senior year of college (I will graduate in May 1999) at Lake Superior State University and I am majoring in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. Following this Bachelor's degree, I will head to Michigan State University to pursue a graduate degree in journalism.
Since returning to college, I have learned to appreciate life simply because it is life. I realize that every day is important no matter how stressful or sad it may be. Additionally, I have been lucky enough to find the man of my dreams, Jeremy, who is caring, loving, honest, and beautiful.
I love life, and I am proud to say that I am a survivor!
Update: I've been in remission for 3 years now. I graduated from LSSU (with honors) in May, 1999. Now, I am attending Michigan State University and pursuing a graduate degree in journalism. Recently, though, I had to have a kidney removed as a result of a congenital defect completely seperate from my cancer. The surgery and recovery went exceptionally well thanks to new laproscopic technology and the wonderful doctors and nurses at the University of Michigan!