Post by admin on Sept 21, 2007 19:30:14 GMT -5
Katie O'Reilly Cancer survivor starts college with an optimistic outlook
By TERRY RINDFLEISCH | La Crosse Tribune
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Katie O’Reilly never doubted she would survive cancer as a child and realize her dream of going to college.
Three weeks ago, the 19-year-old La Crescent, Minn., woman started classes as a freshman at Viterbo University. She already has written an essay for a religion class on what she believes, and she knew exactly what she was going to write — what she has learned from cancer and about the important things in life.
“I believe in family, friends and God,” O’Reilly said. “God has given me the strength to get here.
“I never thought I would die as a child and not make it to college,” she said. “I thought I’d be fine and get through it.”
Even as a child, O’Reilly said, she found it easier to take a positive attitude each day and look on the bright side of things.
O’Reilly had stomach pains for some time when she was 9 years old during the summer before fourth grade. In early July 1998, doctors found an 8-pound tumor in her stomach and then diagnosed her with a cancer of the abdominal lining — desmoplastic small round cell cancer.
“I didn’t know how serious it was until my mother told me much later that I had a 1 in 100 chance of living,” O’Reilly said. “It was a very rare cancer back then.”
O’Reilly had three surgeries, six rounds of chemotherapy, 24 rounds of radiation and a stem cell transplant all in one year. She missed fourth grade and was tutored at home by her grandparents, Dale and Mary Wetterling, both retired La Crosse teachers.
She said her battle with cancer was jam-packed into one year so she felt she never missed her childhood. She started fifth grade on time a year later.
“I had some hard times and got very sick, but I wanted to get through this and on with my life,” she said.
She said she looks back at that time, and she is amazed by her strength. She decided to adopt the bald look because she said it didn’t matter if people stared at her. She had a wig, but never wore it.
“I remember feeling needy and vulnerable, but God was my strength as well as family and friends,” O’Reilly said.
Katie Curran, O’Reilly’s best friend since kindergarten, said her friend is always confident, positive and caring even through her own difficult times. “She’s like my sister, a friend for life,” Curran said. “She’s just amazing. She is a miracle.”
Curran, a freshman at the University of Minnesota, said this semester is the first time she and O’Reilly have been apart since they’ve known each other. “Katie has taught me so much — to live each day to the fullest — and I’m grateful for that,” Curran said.
Mary Wetterling said her granddaughter has been an inspiration to her and her husband, a two-time cancer survivor.
“I admire her courage and attitude, and we’ve learned about how she has had a great impact on others,” Wetterling said. “Nothing gets her down. Every day is a new beginning for her. She is such a ray of sunshine.”
Wetterling and her granddaughter have lunch together every Tuesday to catch up each other’s lives.
“Lunch together is so special,” Wetterling said.
O’Reilly, who just completed her service as an Applefest princess, plans to major in marketing at Viterbo. She has danced since her preschool years, and continues to teach children to dance at Misty’s Dance Unlimited. There aren’t many things she likes better than dancing.
“Dancing takes me to a place where I can center myself, and it’s a stress reliever,” she said. “It’s like I’m in my own world.”
She said the toughest part of college so far has been adjusting to a small dorm room and sharing the space with a roommate. Otherwise, O’Reilly said she feels comfortable and confident about college.
O’Reilly said she rarely talks about her cancer, but when she does, she wants to give others courage.
She said she is trying to figure out if God had a purpose because she survived cancer.
“I’m trying to discover what I’m supposed to do with my life,” she said. “Does God have a plan for me?”
Her cancer has been in remission for many years, and O’Reilly sees her cancer specialist every five years. Her prognosis as expected is excellent.
She said she knows she is a different person today because of her cancer experience.
“I am thankful for my life, and it has made me grow up faster,” O’Reilly said. “I’m even a more positive person. I believe attitude is everything. I don’t think I would be here today without optimism and a positive attitude.”
The O’Reilly file
Age: 19
Occupation: Freshman at Viterbo University major in marketing.
Favorite pastime: Dancing.
Favorite song: “Take Me There” by Rascal Flatts.
Favorite Broadway show: “Wicked.”
Favorite food: Italian.
Pet peeve: People who smack gum or chew on ice.
How is your life different after cancer? I am more thankful for my life.
What’s one thing people don’t know about you? I danced on a cruise ship and at Disney World — and I was accepted into a Texas dance program.
What would you like to change about yourself? Have less anxiety and not worry so much.
Motto: “Dance like no one is watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like no one is listening, live like it’s heaven on earth.” — William Purkey
.
Katie O’Reilly never doubted she would survive cancer as a child and realize her dream of going to college.
Three weeks ago, the 19-year-old La Crescent, Minn., woman started classes as a freshman at Viterbo University. She already has written an essay for a religion class on what she believes, and she knew exactly what she was going to write — what she has learned from cancer and about the important things in life.
“I believe in family, friends and God,” O’Reilly said. “God has given me the strength to get here.
“I never thought I would die as a child and not make it to college,” she said. “I thought I’d be fine and get through it.”
Even as a child, O’Reilly said, she found it easier to take a positive attitude each day and look on the bright side of things.
O’Reilly had stomach pains for some time when she was 9 years old during the summer before fourth grade. In early July 1998, doctors found an 8-pound tumor in her stomach and then diagnosed her with a cancer of the abdominal lining — desmoplastic small round cell cancer.
“I didn’t know how serious it was until my mother told me much later that I had a 1 in 100 chance of living,” O’Reilly said. “It was a very rare cancer back then.”
O’Reilly had three surgeries, six rounds of chemotherapy, 24 rounds of radiation and a stem cell transplant all in one year. She missed fourth grade and was tutored at home by her grandparents, Dale and Mary Wetterling, both retired La Crosse teachers.
She said her battle with cancer was jam-packed into one year so she felt she never missed her childhood. She started fifth grade on time a year later.
“I had some hard times and got very sick, but I wanted to get through this and on with my life,” she said.
She said she looks back at that time, and she is amazed by her strength. She decided to adopt the bald look because she said it didn’t matter if people stared at her. She had a wig, but never wore it.
“I remember feeling needy and vulnerable, but God was my strength as well as family and friends,” O’Reilly said.
Katie Curran, O’Reilly’s best friend since kindergarten, said her friend is always confident, positive and caring even through her own difficult times. “She’s like my sister, a friend for life,” Curran said. “She’s just amazing. She is a miracle.”
Curran, a freshman at the University of Minnesota, said this semester is the first time she and O’Reilly have been apart since they’ve known each other. “Katie has taught me so much — to live each day to the fullest — and I’m grateful for that,” Curran said.
Mary Wetterling said her granddaughter has been an inspiration to her and her husband, a two-time cancer survivor.
“I admire her courage and attitude, and we’ve learned about how she has had a great impact on others,” Wetterling said. “Nothing gets her down. Every day is a new beginning for her. She is such a ray of sunshine.”
Wetterling and her granddaughter have lunch together every Tuesday to catch up each other’s lives.
“Lunch together is so special,” Wetterling said.
O’Reilly, who just completed her service as an Applefest princess, plans to major in marketing at Viterbo. She has danced since her preschool years, and continues to teach children to dance at Misty’s Dance Unlimited. There aren’t many things she likes better than dancing.
“Dancing takes me to a place where I can center myself, and it’s a stress reliever,” she said. “It’s like I’m in my own world.”
She said the toughest part of college so far has been adjusting to a small dorm room and sharing the space with a roommate. Otherwise, O’Reilly said she feels comfortable and confident about college.
O’Reilly said she rarely talks about her cancer, but when she does, she wants to give others courage.
She said she is trying to figure out if God had a purpose because she survived cancer.
“I’m trying to discover what I’m supposed to do with my life,” she said. “Does God have a plan for me?”
Her cancer has been in remission for many years, and O’Reilly sees her cancer specialist every five years. Her prognosis as expected is excellent.
She said she knows she is a different person today because of her cancer experience.
“I am thankful for my life, and it has made me grow up faster,” O’Reilly said. “I’m even a more positive person. I believe attitude is everything. I don’t think I would be here today without optimism and a positive attitude.”
The O’Reilly file
Age: 19
Occupation: Freshman at Viterbo University major in marketing.
Favorite pastime: Dancing.
Favorite song: “Take Me There” by Rascal Flatts.
Favorite Broadway show: “Wicked.”
Favorite food: Italian.
Pet peeve: People who smack gum or chew on ice.
How is your life different after cancer? I am more thankful for my life.
What’s one thing people don’t know about you? I danced on a cruise ship and at Disney World — and I was accepted into a Texas dance program.
What would you like to change about yourself? Have less anxiety and not worry so much.
Motto: “Dance like no one is watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like no one is listening, live like it’s heaven on earth.” — William Purkey