My Amazing Cousin Abby

This month Peyton is writing the blog post. We all have in our lives those wonderful people who help us through something hard. They leave a lasting impression on our lives and help to make us who we are. Because of their love and support we learn that so much of life is leaning on others and others leaning on us.

My Amazing Cousin Abby

Today, February 15th marks eight years from when my cancer treatment ended. This day is as exciting as my birthday!! I remember how grateful I felt that it was all over. Really over. I couldn’t believe the day had finally come and that I survived cancer. I had lived in cancer treatment for three and a half years, which, to a kid, basically felt like a lifetime. No more cancer cells, no more harsh chemo in my body, no more trouble swallowing pills, no more terrible side effects, no more needles and no more tubes in my body. My heart goes out to all of those who are currently enduring the woes of chemotherapy and cancer. I understand what you are going through and you’re in my prayers.

During my treatment, the main thing that got me through every day was my family of course, but also the support from my friends. My greatest friend then and to this day is my cousin Abby. Abby is 9 months older than me and so from the time we were babies we’ve been close. Abby did one of the coolest things anyone has ever done for me. She went around town and asked local businesses if they’d allow a repurposed yogurt container with a paper taped to it of a picture of me and the title “Pennies for Peyton”. Abby would collect the pennies and give them to me. She kept this up throughout the entire time I was in cancer treatment. I would use the money to buy legos which helped me a lot to pass the time in long days of recovery. Abby was always thinking of how to help me. Every time I was with her I completely forgot all the troubles in my life from cancer.  Because of that, because of Abby, I had experienced what life could be like without the worries of cancer weighing over me.Abby is one of the most caring, strongest people I know. I know it wasn't easy for her to see me go through cancer. Abby’s strength, patience, and love were some of the best memories of my childhood. I could mourn the time of childhood I lost because of cancer, but because of Abby, I don’t. I love you, Abby. Thank you for being there for me then and still to this day. I can’t imagine life without you. 

The people we surround ourselves with greatly affect our outcomes in treatment, or simply in life. Hold onto the people that help you, serve you, and love you unconditionally. Help them the same way they help you. I hope everyone reading this takes a moment to reach out to someone they love and appreciate dearly, and let them know how much they mean to you.

Love, 

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