Survivor Series: Julie Morana
Meridith Salvas, Contributing Writer
Issue date: 12/4/09 Section: Campus News
What type of cancer were you diagnosed with?
I was diagnosed with a Wilms' tumor in my left kidney. This is also called nephroblastoma which is the name for a tumor of the kidneys.
When were you diagnosed? At what age? I was diagnosed at 18 months old.
What was your initial reaction to your diagnosis?
Luckily, I don't remember much from my entire battle with cancer because I was so young. But I do know that my diagnosis took a huge toll on my family and friends.
Did you know of a family history of this particular type of cancer, or cancer in general?
This cancer is usually found in children and rarely is found in adults. Many of my family members have unfortunately suffered from breast cancer though.
How did your diagnosis affect your friends and family? It caused so many problems. Determining what surgeries I should have done and if I should go through radiation/chemotherapy, caused many arguments between my parents, family, and friends. Also, all of the medical bills were insane and my family had very little money. They were constantly worried about if they would have enough financial support to help me get cured.
What do you enjoy most about life now?
I am just so happy to be alive and healthy. I have yearly check-ups at Dana Farber Hospital in Boston and every time we go, we are sitting in the waiting room with 10 children all hooked up to machines, who we know are dying. I can't help but look at their families surrounding them thinking that was once my family. Now, I just want to get the most out of life that I can.
Do you have any hobbies? Having one kidney my whole life made it very hard for me to play contact sports. That's why I took up swimming; because it was the one sport my parents didn't have to worry about me getting hurt in. I have been swimming my whole life and swam here at Bryant last year. Other than that, I just love to have fun, shop, travel, and hang out with my friends.
I was diagnosed with a Wilms' tumor in my left kidney. This is also called nephroblastoma which is the name for a tumor of the kidneys.
When were you diagnosed? At what age? I was diagnosed at 18 months old.
What was your initial reaction to your diagnosis?
Luckily, I don't remember much from my entire battle with cancer because I was so young. But I do know that my diagnosis took a huge toll on my family and friends.
Did you know of a family history of this particular type of cancer, or cancer in general?
This cancer is usually found in children and rarely is found in adults. Many of my family members have unfortunately suffered from breast cancer though.
How did your diagnosis affect your friends and family? It caused so many problems. Determining what surgeries I should have done and if I should go through radiation/chemotherapy, caused many arguments between my parents, family, and friends. Also, all of the medical bills were insane and my family had very little money. They were constantly worried about if they would have enough financial support to help me get cured.
What do you enjoy most about life now?
I am just so happy to be alive and healthy. I have yearly check-ups at Dana Farber Hospital in Boston and every time we go, we are sitting in the waiting room with 10 children all hooked up to machines, who we know are dying. I can't help but look at their families surrounding them thinking that was once my family. Now, I just want to get the most out of life that I can.
Do you have any hobbies? Having one kidney my whole life made it very hard for me to play contact sports. That's why I took up swimming; because it was the one sport my parents didn't have to worry about me getting hurt in. I have been swimming my whole life and swam here at Bryant last year. Other than that, I just love to have fun, shop, travel, and hang out with my friends.
The Archway's Clubs & Organizations Page
Be the first to comment on this story