Breast /Thyroid/ Schwanoma/ Hodkins Lymphoma Cancer Grad-Crystal
“I want them to know “Never Lose Hope” because there will always be hope, and when you think you are not strong enough to come through your cancer diagnosis, you most definitely ARE.”
Name: Crystal Conway-Gottwald
Age at Enrollment:
I know you would think I have one response as to one age, but I am a 4x cancer survivor :
Ages: 14,18,26,47
Majors:
In order of diagnosis:
-Hodgkins Lymphoma Stage 3
-Schwanoma (Cancer of the Lining of the Nerve Casings)
-Thyroid Cancer
-Breast Cancer (Ductal Carcinoma Stage 3, Grade 3)
What were the primary symptoms you experienced prior to diagnosis?
A lump formed every time, fatigue, and a rash
What symptom(s) lead you to go to the doctor?
A lump on my neck for HL, Lump under my right arm, lump in my thyroid and lump in my breast
Courses Completed:
Chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries (Thyroidectomy, Splenectomy, Mastectomy) (Drugs taken: Neulasta because my immune system was low , so 48 hours after my chemo I would need this injection which would cause my tongue to swell, rash all over my body like someone threw acid on me, bone pain
How did you respond when you heard the words “You have cancer”?
At age 14 being told I have cancer I was in shock, angry, hopeless, death and as I kept relapsing into different cancers, I became hopeful. I was not angry anymore; I was positive and stayed strong and knew could get through these battles. God wouldn't have given me these battles if he did not think I could handle them.
What has been your hardest moment(s) since your diagnosis? How have you moved forward through them?My hardest moment at 14 was losing my hair and not being around my friends because of my treatment. Also losing weight due to the side effects of chemo and radiation caused dry heaves and it dropped me to 75 pounds.
During my second cancer (Schwanoma), I refused treatment-which was the hardest decision to make. The Doctors begged me not to refuse, but I was 18 years old and I wanted to graduate with my friends. So, I made a deal, if they let me go home and graduate with my friends I would return in the summer for my chemo and radiation. I was able to go home but I did not keep my end of the bargain. I decided it felt right in my heart not to take the treatment, and the Doctors said I was lucky to see my 30th Birthday...I am 52 years old today!!!!
My 3rd cancer (Thyroid Cancer), I had just given birth to my son 5 weeks earlier and had to have a thyroidectomy which made me stay in the hospital for 10 nights. The day I was supposed to take him home was the day I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer.
My 4th Breast Cancer- the hardest was having a double mastectomy.
What has been your biggest accomplishment since your diagnosis?
I am alive, I am a mother ( I say this because I was told at age 14 I would never be able to have children and I have one son who was born in 1994 and is a healthy 26 year old today), a wife, a published Author and a 4x Cancer Survivor turned Thriver.
What do you believe are the unmet needs of young adult patients within the cancer community?
I believe there are not many support groups for young adults with cancer. During my first diagnosis at age 14, I attended an all adult support group.
I do believe there is a very strong awareness of all childhood cancers and information is always readily available for parents and young adults.
How did your family and friends respond?
I had the most amazing support from family, friends, childhood friends, and strangers. I could not have asked for more.
When you feel overwhelmed or anxious, what do you do for relief?
I drink herbal tea, I read, and I write
Describe a situation where you “got back up”:
I've always had "Back Up" (support from my family and friends). My mom was my rock, and my brother Glenn always accompanied us to my treatments since my dad had to work.
During my second cancer, again my mom and my brother Glenn always with me to support , then at age 26 it was my husband Aubrey who was my rock and my strength during my thyroid cancer and during my Breast Cancer it was my husband and my son Jarett. There was never a day I did not have back up.
Do you have any new daily/weekly routines since your diagnosis? If so, what are they? How have they improved your quality of life?
I wouldn't say new routines, but I do stay very busy as I am a manager for a travel agency. I write, I exercise, and I love to read and I have begun a small business named "Hats Of Hope" which are beautiful customized scarf hats I make for those going through chemo, to make them feel confident and beautiful! Staying busy makes you stay healthy!!!
What did you know about the type of cancer that you were diagnosed with prior to your diagnosis?
For my first cancer I did not have much knowledge about Hodgkins Lymphoma, but when I was diagnosed I educated myself on all my cancers and knew exactly what treatments I would go thru, what surgeries would take place and the emotions I would feel.
What do you now want people to be aware of?
I want them to know "Never Lose Hope" because there will always be hope, and when you think you are not strong enough to come through your cancer diagnosis, you most definitely ARE.
How did/do you find joy during this experience?
I am a very positive person, I live each day as a new day, I stay busy to stay healthy, my writing is my healing and spending time with my family is my joy.
What has your cancer experience taught you?
To stay positive, to stay driven and "Never Give up". There is always light at the end of the tunnel if you just believe.
What do you want your legacy to be?
I have published my first book title's 'Never Lose Hope" and I am in the midst of publishing my second book "CrystalRAW”. I want people to remember how I lived my life with no regrets of my illness, I am a good person and I was happy with all choices I made, and with lots of hope and positivity. A person who encouraged other cancer survivors to keep living life until you could not any more" and still have a smile on your face.
If you could write anything you wanted on a billboard in NYC’s Times Square that would reach millions of cancer patients, what would it read?
NEVER LOSE HOPE
