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Maltese Teenage Cancer Survivor Opens Up: ‘My Love For Life Grew So Strong, I Don’t Think I Can Contain It’

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Sara Marston was only 17 when she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma, turning her life upside down overnight.

In an emotional Facebook post some two years after her experience, Sara opened up in depth about her experience fighting and recovering from cancer and about her newfound joie de vivre.

“Cancer took a lot from me. My hair, my physical strength, my physical appearance, my confidence, numerous memories that I wasn’t involved in because I was confined to a hospital bed,” she wrote. “However, cancer has also given me a lot – in the form of life lessons.”

“Hair falls and hair grows back – stronger than ever. Physical strength can be regained but is not the only important thing. Emotional strength is a pillar of positivity.” 

https://www.facebook.com/sara.marston.73/posts/1324998264371692

“My body fought this illness for me. Despite the marks and the scars, the least I can do is respect it.”

“My confidence grew stronger in relation to things I was not confident about before. I have found confidence in being passionate about things I did not used to acknowledge as much.”

“My love for life grew so strong, I don’t even think I’m able to contain it. I want to do so much, see so much. Courage is half the cure.”

She wrote her post ahead of next week’s football and volleyball marathon organised by Puttinu, the staff of whom she had nothing but praise for.   

This is Sara Marston’s post in full:

I don’t really know as to where to begin. I don’t usually take to writing such personal paragraphs on social media but this time round, it’s worth I make an exception. The 2019 Puttinu Cares marathon is just around the corner, sparking excitement in my heart and that of countless others. The individuals that make Puttinu what it is have impacted my life in ways I could never put into words. I constantly refer to them as family because truly, in more ways than one, they are.

I was a seventeen-year-old preparing for her A-levels. The minute the left side of my neck swelled up, I acknowledged something was off. I didn’t really wish to think anything negative of it. After a visit to the doctor, some tests and an abrupt emergency room visit after an unexpected X-Ray result, my parents didn’t think they’d receive the news they did in April of 2017. Until May, I was in the dark about it all. The swelling was not causing me any unbearable pain and my head was too occupied with thoughts of the upcoming exams so, I ignored the fact that it could mean anything. I simply didn’t know any better.

What can a seventeen-year-old do when told they’ve been diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma? Nothing really. I remember vividly telling myself that it will be alright and that I could consider myself ‘lucky’ that they had diagnosed it at such an early stage. In all honesty, I was consumed with fear. I even remember crying myself to sleep that night.

Less than a week later, I started chemotherapy.

The first week knocked all hope out of me. I felt absolutely convinced that I was not strong enough to garner enough positivity for myself and for those around me.

I was never required to undergo operations, neither here nor abroad but I genuinely believe that being placed in Rainbow Ward was a blessing. All the love and care I received from all the nurses & doctors there is something that will live on with me, for as long as I get to live. Whenever I needed someone by my side, day or night, they were there – no questions asked. When I was throwing up, they were there holding the bag.

When I was too tired to speak, they understood and didn’t push further. When I was losing my hair and changing physically in ways I could not imagine, they still made me feel beautiful. When they’d compliment how positive I was, I no longer had to force myself to believe so. You can tell me it’s their job to do so but these people are the real deal. Their hearts are out of this world.

As much as I hate those four hospital walls, the people at Rainbow Ward made it feel like home. I am where I am now because they pushed me to believe that I would get better.

I constantly told myself I was fortunate, that I didn’t have it as hard as plenty of others did and that there were more problems to worry about in the world. For the longest time, I felt guilty because who is it that decides that I get to survive this malicious illness and there are others who don’t?

Cancer took a lot from me. My hair, my physical strength, my physical appearance, my confidence, numerous memories that I wasn’t involved in because I was confined to a hospital bed. However, cancer has also given me a lot – in the form of life lessons.

Hair falls and hair grows back – stronger than ever.
Physical strength can be regained but is not the only important thing. Emotional strength is a pillar of positivity.
My body fought this illness for me. Despite the marks and the scars, the least I can do is respect it.
My confidence grew stronger in relation to things I was not confident about before. I have found confidence in being passionate about things I did not used to acknowledge as much.

My love for life grew so strong, I don’t even think I’m able to contain it. I want to do so much, see so much.

Courage is half the cure.

There are so many families out there who depend on Puttinu. This organisation is making such a huge difference to the lives of people who see the work it does first hand.

So, on the 13th, 14th and 15th of September, spare some time and come over to the Marsa Sports Grounds.

Join in the fun for an extremely good cause.  <3

READ NEXT: WATCH: Heartbreaking Video Of Maltese Child Who Lost His Sight To Cancer Shows How Much Puttinu Really Does Care

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]

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