My name is Kristen, but most people know me as KD. I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in September 2010 at the age of 25. Receiving my diagnosis and hearing that the cancer had already spread was shocking, but I was determined to continue to pursue my goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist and living a normal life. Although a multitude of appointments, chemotherapy treatment and a major surgery interrupted my studying, I was determined to complete the GRE and apply to graduate school.

In August, 2011, I received the great news that I was in remission! I was starting graduate school and beginning work as a behavior therapist. By the time my first summer session came I had been cancer-free for almost two years. That summer was life changing. Not only was I able to give the power of communication to my students, but I also learned that my cancer had returned. I began a chemotherapy regime right away.

After a summer of treatment (last year) the doctors told me the chemotherapy was not working and I was somehow worse. Over the next few months I endured multiple tests, minor-surgeries and treatments. With no positive news, I began my 3rd chemotherapy agent within eight months and recently received a blood transfusion. Unfortunately I can no longer pretend, as the visible signs of chemotherapy have won. I am bald again, maybe until August.

My cancer diagnosis has given me the tenacity for life and it is this same determination that has allowed me to thrive as a person. I will graduate this July and cannot wait to have my own caseload of students and watch them flourish.

The smile has not left my face, for I have cancer, cancer does not have me.