June Thoughts....

This is a journal entry that was required for my Bachelor's Capstone class to graduate....

Ok, this journal entry is making me look forward to 6 months from now.  It is June 16, 2017, I am in the battle for my life, while trying to maintain the energy to finish up this term.  Truth.  It is really hard to see myself in 6 months having anything to do with criminal justice.  Truth.  My goals included a trip to the beach with my family (check), to attend my graduation (check)…now the immediate goal is to finish this term, and check it off the list.  Then, I am going to focus all my energy on getting a stem cell transplant.  It has all been working out, so I anticipate in a couple of weeks, when this term is over, I can begin the process of healing.  In order to survive, my disease has no cure, I need to undergo a stem cell transplant, and it is all I have dreamed and hoped for since I found out that I had no other options.  I do take meds to control the symptomatic aspect of my disease and receive palliative care, but I am too young, and love my family too much to sit aside and slowly die.  So, on June 30th when I see my doctor again, I am putting in the request to begin the process.  I have to endure another bone marrow biopsy to determine the progression of my cancer, and then we will be able to go from there. 

I would love to tell you that my dreams in the criminal justice system will come true, but I cannot.  And to be honest, the journey to get to the end was the most important thing I gained from my time at Kaplan.  Kaplan has been an amazing blessing in my life in too many ways to count.  They have supported me through some very tough times, and when they made an error, were quick to right their wrong.  For that, I am very thankful.  Unfortunately, it is my state in life that puts my dreams of a super investigator, humanity saver…on hold.  Hopefully just temporarily.  I believe in God, so I know that He has some super things in store for me and if walking through cancer with dignity and grace is His choice for my life, then I gladly walk that walk.  Dignity and grace are very hard to perfect when walking the cancer walk, but I try every day to do my best to love those around me and treat them with respect and dignity.  My education at Kaplan has taught me to become a more versatile individual, to open my mind to learning, and to strive to be the best I can be, no matter where I am in life.

My goal as a Kaplan alumni, is to make them proud by being the best version of myself that I can be, in and out of the criminal justice profession.

Oh, as a side note though, my dream, prior to this dumb cancer was to enroll in Concord Law School.  I spoke with them at graduation and received some materials to review.  I am eligible to enroll, of course the only thing stopping me is this disease, BUT the next class start I could possibly begin is Jan. 2018.  Just remember, miracles happen…..