Hi, I'm Angel. ​
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"Hi, my name is Angel, and I was diagnosed with high grade Osteosarcoma at 24 years old.
It all started with a small ache in my arm whenever I carried something or applied pressure, after months of investigation the doctors told me that I needed 6 rounds of chemotherapy, which included 2 surgeries, and that I needed to act fast.
People discuss cancer and what chemotherapy is like, but you truly don’t understand how it could really affect a person until you’re the person who gets that diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
I will never forget the day of my diagnosis, a moment where I thought my life was over, everything stopped, and I became numb. There wasn’t a build up to my diagnosis or a wonder of ‘what if it’s cancer’, it was just addressed.
My diagnosis made me realise how precious life is, how short it is and to just live it. I felt like the world was against me, especially as a young person, as I hadn’t lived my life yet, and that my life was only beginning.
When I started treatment, I felt my identify was stripped, especially with losing my hair. To then after my cancer journey to be labelled as disabled for the rest of my life, it was and still is a big pill to swallow.
I have now been in remission since October 2024, even with this feeling like it should be celebrated, there is always a sad, 'what if?' moment, throughout the day or week that can really hit me. I’m slowly learning to live in the moment of this ‘new me’. I’ve shown myself what I’m capable of and, I want to make myself proud. I saw a poster advertising Teens Unite when I first went to the ward’s chemotherapy unit. Because this cancer stuff was all so new, I felt like I needed to look at what support was available to me. I couldn’t sing enough praises for Teens Unite, they are an incredible charity, who really bring people together, who know exactly how you may be feeling, who have been there or are going through similar with having cancer. It’s so unique and a place where people really come together and feel safe. Teens Unite have been with me since the start of my treatment, to now after in remission, and I couldn’t thank them enough."
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