Cancer Free

Today we celebrate with reporter Rose Egge, who bared her strength and fears throughout her cancer treatment via her blog “Stronger Than I Think I Am” at KOMO News. In honor of Rose, we share her story.

On December 29, seven months and eighteen days after discovering she had lymphoma and undergoing chemotherapy treatments, Rose announced to the world that she was cancer free.

Rose has been blogging about her cancer at KOMO News, where she works as a community reporter, since July.

“You have had a hand in my survival.”

In October, she wrote these inspiring words, titled “My Work is Not Finished”:

“What I know for sure is I don’t want to spend my nights waiting for the hours to pass until I’m sleepy enough to go to bed.

But what will I do once I am better? I spent the day contemplating this question. Eventually, the answer was obvious. I want to hold a young person’s hand after they find out they have cancer. When they are wondering if they will ever look normal again, feel good again or have kids, I want to be there. When they are wondering if they will survive, I want to offer hope.

Being diagnosed with cancer was the most terrifying, confusing and challenging experience of my life. I had no idea what to do and where to turn.

I’m not a medical professional and I doubt I ever will be, but I hope I can someday comfort those who stand in my shoes.

When all else fails, that will get me through the day. Reminder to self: My work is not finished. It has only just begun.”

To all of her readers, Rose says “You have had a hand in my survival.”

“To everyone facing cancer today,” she says, “You are now a part of a club you never wanted to join. But please know that there are survivors out there thinking of you, people who care whether you live or die. Because we know how incredible life after cancer will be, even if it’s hard to imagine right now. You are never alone.”