James "Rhio" O'Connor Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest Entry

Evangelina R.

James "Rhio" O'Connor Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest


If I was faced with the same dire cancer prognosis that James “Rhio“ O’Conner received, I would be devastated. When it comes to bad news, I think the worst right away. Rhio was diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma. It is a form of cancer that is usually caused by exposure to asbestos, a type of particle that, when inhaled, creates in the thin layer of cells lining the body's internal organs. It is said to have symptoms similar to lung cancer from years of smoking. [1].
"Rhio" was told that he was going to die within one year from Mesothelioma, ‘he embarked on a profound journey to find the strength he needed in order to get the most he could out of his life. What James “Rhio” O’Connor did was brave and courageous. Not only was he battling “Mr. Meso”, as he called, he wrote a book called “They Said Months, I Chose Years: A Mesothelioma Survivor’s Story”. Instead of dying one year after being told he will die, Rhio lived for more than half a decade more.
I found another inspiriting story. "The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" Randy Pausch last speech in September in 2007. Paush also co-wrote a book titled “The Last Lecture“. He explains his reason for his last lecture and to continue talking about honestly, integrity, gratitude, and other things he held dear. He had pancreatic cancer in his liver and only a few months to live.[2] Like Rhio, he chose not to feel sorry for himself.
I have seen a person dear to my heart go through the cancer treatment. My mother was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2004. My mom is the woman of the house, the one who held my step-dad, my little brother and I together. I was a 15 year old girl in high school thinking that my world has just crashed around me.
She was not given a time limit but more of advise. The advise was to take care of the cancer in the present so that it wouldn’t spread throughout her body. There enough time to think about other options because steps toward recovery were taken quickly. Even though my mother never once complained nor did she show her pain, I said the complaints and felt the pain for her. It was not a nice feeling. I had been unhappy most of the treatment time. Now know that I could have looked at things in a positive manner. It’s been five years since and my mother is in remission. It’s a blessing everyday I have with her.
Rhio’s story inspired me to really think about what I would do if I were faced with the same challenges that he faced. What steps would you take if you were given a dire cancer prognosis. Rhio opted out of chemotherapy and that was I think I would accept all that modern medicine could offer me.
I believe that no what happens; It is in God’s plan for me. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t ask myself all sorts of questions: am I making the right decision? Have I achieved my life goals? I thought about this for awhile. One thing that came to mind was how much my priorities would change. I knew for sure that my health would become my top priority. If I were in that situation of having cancer with a time frame, I would probably be too scared to think of any other treatment. Too scared to do any kind of research. Just knowing there were information out there would be worrisome enough. I wouldn’t know where to start. I would most likely come up with any excuses especially regarding financial support for any kind of research.


Instead, I would turn to my family and other cancer patients. I know my family would help me stay strong. They would not allow me wallowing in self pity. I would need all the support from my family I could get and I would be a part of the system of support in groups for cancer patients. I’ve been told that it is not easy to stay positive through cancer treatments but having someone there to listen to you, to be there when you need them, sure does help. I know I can always contact the American Cancer Society. They were very helpful with when my mother was fighting cancer. I am sure that everyone has thought about death at some point in time but choose to just dismiss it. Humans will always be limited; and James was a testament to the miracle of God.
I learned that Rhio’s story is not sad. Much to the contrary, I found the story of James "Rhio" O'Connor's life to be uplifting and important. Any persons living in fear of their future, facing significant adversity or death, or taking their life for granted would find confidence, strength, and hope in Rhio.





Resources
1. http://www.mesothelioma.com/
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch