I was at university studying Education, worked 4 days a week, went out on the weekends, loved catching up with friends and travelled down the highway to see my family when I had time.

"I could never have predicted that what I thought was a cold could turn into a cancer diagnosis."

After finally listening to friends who were concerned that my regular nose bleeds, three month long cold and unexplained bruises were not normal, I made an appointment to see my GP. My doctor explained that these symptoms were likely related to stress. Just to be safe, she did a blood test anyway.

It was that simple blood test that resulted in my admission to the emergency ward 7 hours later with a diagnosis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), a cancer that is very rare, and usually affects males over the age of 40.

"This was a lot to take in!"

In less than 12 hours I had gone from a life without any real issues to lying in the oncology ward. Up to this point in my life I had never even been in hospital (or heard of oncology) and to be honest I thought that the next few days would seem like a vacation.

I loved the idea of having friends and family visiting, food delivered to me each day, a room filled with flowers and a constant supply of chocolate. But the oncologist brought me back to reality with continuous blood tests, bone marrow biopsies and chemotherapy.

"These foreign, scary words were my wakeup call."

It finally hit me and I encountered the first feelings of disbelief and denial. Thankfully my body responded well to the oral chemotherapy (that I still take twice daily) and I was able to leave hospital 11 days later.

But here is where my cancer journey really began.

"What has changed since my diagnosis? HEAPS."

Including so many negative things like hair loss, loss of friends and the emotional battle of dealing with cancer. Yet my focus is on the future. So instead of writing about what I have lost, I will talk about what I have gained instead.

The most notable thing that has changed since my diagnosis is my perspective on life and what’s important. I have found out who my true friends are and how much friendship and family means to me.

"It was hard to lose people that I genuinely regarded as friends."

However I relish the fact that I now know who in my life I can call anytime and who accepts me for me.

Another part of my life that has changed for the better is my outlook on my future career as a teacher. When I was diagnosed I surprised many people by deciding that I would continue studying at university.

While doctors have informed me that my condition is incurable and I may have a lifetime or five years to live, my urge to teach remains.

"Teaching has always been my dream."

And as a result of my diagnosis I feel that I am able to relate, understand and accept people without question or judgement – essential skills for a teacher!

Also, due to the uncertainty of my cancer I feel determined to succeed and be the best that I can, while I can. I hope that my unique experience will in fact enhance what I can bring to the classroom and children’s lives. 

"I just pray that my cancer will not hinder my education or career any further then it already has."

One of the biggest surprises I have noted over the last year and a half is the strength that can come from willpower and determination.

One of the first things a friend said to me when I was in hospital was “I don’t know how you do it” and since then I have continued to hear “If it was me I wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning”.

I haven’t taken these sorts of comments too seriously as I never really thought of my situation as the most horrible thing that could ever happen.

"It still surprises me that this is how other people feel."

I believe that when faced with a cancer diagnosis – whether your own or someone else’s – you have a choice as to how you will accept and live with the news.

For me, from the moment that I was diagnosed I embarked on a journey to discover the “new me” and tried to accept that from here on cancer was my new “normal”.

"I won't pretend that my journey was easy nor that it is over, but I can say that things are alright."

I live my life today with the knowledge that cancer has changed my life in many ways. It has made me a more determined, accepting and willing participant in actually living life.

Not many people can say that at 21.