In today’s world, a lot of people (myself included) don’t seem to recognize just how important your health is. Most people couldn’t imagine how much their life would change if they were suddenly told, out of the blue, that you’d be spending the better part of the next eight months in a hospital bed. It really sucks, right? Well, that’s how my 16th year on this earth went, yet surprisingly, I would never trade my life for another. Not only did this unexpected health event change my views on day-to-day life, it also gave me a positive outlook on my life, no matter the situation.

In 2024, a month before my birthday, I was ultimately diagnosed with ALCL lymphoma. For a couple of months leading up to my diagnosis I was bedridden, unable to walk or do anything without being in excruciating pain due to a yet undiagnosed tumour that caused a pressure fracture in my spine. I remember waking up from a nap in the hospital room to my mom crying and the doctor trying to comfort her. I remember thinking about every little thing that I took for granted in life and how lucky I was (and still am) just to be alive. What I realized is that everything other than a heartbeat is a privilege.

“Our life is worth a million planets so live like it”

–  Childhood Cancer Survivor

Now without giving you a sob story about this, I’m just going to say one thing: IT REALLY SUCKED. What sucked, you ask? I’ll tell you, but I you may not be expecting the answer about what a now 17 year-old boy missed about his life. If I’m being honest, it for sure sucked that I couldn’t go out in big crowds, or go to parties, or travel. The time in the hospital really made me miss a lot, and yeah, all that fun stuff would have been nice, but here’s what I really missed:

• • Feeling healthy and being strong enough to do day-to-day tasks like walk to the kitchen
  • Being able to stomach my favourite foods
  • Working out and staying active
  • Being able to shower without a pic line in my arm
  • Being able to think

Most importantly I missed feeling normal.

I have now been cancer-free since March 2025. It hasn’t been easy getting back to who I was, but feeling like I was a non-functioning member of society made me want to find my place. I now value my life like nothing else and have found hobbies I actually enjoy. Let me tell you, it feels absolutely amazing to have that smile back on my face. I finally get to be a real kid again and I am so grateful. Remember how I said your health is important? That includes protecting your body as well. Last October, I broke my elbow while skateboarding. I ended up having to be in a full arm cast for three months, putting me right back in the same situation of not being able to be productive or have fun. SO PLEASE be careful when you’re having fun and living every moment of your life to the fullest because you never know what the next chapter of your life will bring you.

Our life is worth a million planets so live like it. Instead of letting restrictions fully stop you from living, play a little game called “how far can I go?” Do not let restrictions put an end to your goals and hobbies because as long as you have a heartbeat, you should be grateful every morning you wake up.

This story was written by a childhood cancer survivor for the spring 2026 issue of the POGO School and Work Transitions Program newsletter.