For as long as I can remember, I had heard of people giving blood and how it could help save people’s lives. I thought that the blood was mainly used for people who were in large accidents and had a lot of blood loss or went through major surgeries. I had friends and family who gave blood at different events but I never had. Mostly because I never weighed enough and I am terrified of needles! I had the impression that giving blood was a big deal, but I never would have dreamed that I would be on the receiving end.
When I was a senior in high school, I was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I went on a year long journey of fighting this terrible cancer. When I began treatment, I did not know that cancer patients received blood transfusions. I soon realized that blood transfusions were incredibly important for a person going through chemotherapy. While chemotherapy is a successful way to kill cancer, it is also very harmful to one’s body. I experienced body aches, nausea, mouth sores, and fatigue. These side effects were due to my extremely low blood counts. I experienced my lowest blood counts during my STEM cell transplant. Because of this, I had to have multiple blood transfusions. If it wasn’t for people having donated blood, I would not have survived because my body would not have been able to fight off sickness.
I now have a new perspective and appreciation for organizations like the Oklahoma Blood Institute. On my college campus, Northern Oklahoma College, we hold three blood drives. I use this as an opportunity to tell others about my experience with blood donations and encourage them to give if they can. I also have a couple of close friends who donate whenever they get the chance. They have seen how much donations have impacted my life and get excited to be a part of the journey in this way. I am attaching a poem I wrote while battling cancer.
Shamburg, Addi
Patient number: 002434
Birthdate: 7-26-95
I have stage 2 hodgkin’s lymphoma.
I have cancer.
Scans, tests, blood work, chemo, repeat.
Scans, tests, blood work, chemo, repeat.
My life is cancer.
I am cancer.
Identity lost to a disease.
I no longer know who I am outside of this world.
Drowning in the doctors words.
Words too big for my head to wrap around.
I don’t understand.
More needles, hospitals, more chemo, radiation.
You may not be able to have kids.
Crushed by the reality that my life will never be the same.
Showered in darkness I stumble.
No vision of the end.
When will this end?
God, this cannot be my new reality.
How did I get here?
I asked for you to change me, but I didn’t ask for this.
I’m done.
I’m out God.
Please, let this cup pass from me.
But that’s not your plan is it?
That isn’t what you have in mind.
I must keep going, but I can’t. There’s nothing left in me.
God help me!
Send me your strength because mine is gone.
This cancerous body brings you nothing and you give me everything.
You tell me to trust you so I do, clinging to only you.
This is not who I am.
My name is Addi Shamburg
Patient of the Heavenly Healer.
Born again as a child of the King.
I have cancer
But I am NOT cancer.
My identity is found in Christ, NOT in my disease.
This world is fading but God is eternal.
I will not drown because He walks on water.
Pressed but not crushed.
Steps guided by His light.
I am not a slave to my struggles for He is in control.
Cancer cannot own me.
Cancer does not have the last word.
Christ said it is finished.
I may suffer, but I will see the glory of the Lord.
For my God is all powerful and good.
He is sovereign and true.
He is love and peace.
And He is victorious.