Adi Thelen

Dear cancer survivors and anyone close to them,

This letter is to remind us-and all of those we love-that we are teachers in our lives. Through these inspirational battles, it can be easy to allow sadness to wash over us and forget there are people who will be by our side along the way. Even if we tend to forget, we are always supported.

A close friend of mine passed away March 6. Adi Thelen was a teacher, a mentor and a personal hero to me and many other people. She battled cervical cancer. Despite her short life, Adi managed to revive an instinct kept deep inside of all of us: unconditional love.

In a documentary titled “Determined,” produced by former Dixie State College students Bryan Johnson and Jared Burton, Thelen said: “If teachers can make a difference in your life, it’s because you allow us to come into your life to make that difference.”

This quote is something each of us should truly take time to ponder. This quote isn’t applicable just to teachers and professors; rather, it extends to everyone. Each person is a teacher in someone else’s life. The lesson of laughter is an example of this. Thelen constantly laughed and joked about her condition, saying she wanted to teach her friends another way to deal with the difficult situation. She focused on other people’s comfort before her own, and her unconditional love for everyone she met showed through. It is amazing to see someone going through the turmoil of the disease, yet still focus on others before worrying about him or herself.

This was the case for another dear friend of mine who battled breast cancer. Even after a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and the loss of her thick, blonde hair, she put her family first. All these events unfolded toward my graduation of high school. The family was supposed to come out for the event, but I received a call with an offer I couldn’t refuse. Her husband called and said it would cost the same to fly the family out to see my graduation, as it would be to purchase a real-hair wig. I knew she had a hopeful spirit until she lost her hair. As you might imagine, I told them to purchase the wig.

There is an important message with these lessons. The simple point is to be a supporter. Cheer them on throughout the process. You cannot battle cancer alone, but when you’re facing it with friends and family, it becomes somewhat bearable. Support can mean whatever you’d like it to mean: holding his or her hand through treatment, listening and being the shoulder to cry on, sending him or her uplifting messages and jokes, creating awareness, or just showing him or her you care.

To those going through cancer, remember it is OK to receive encouragement and ask for help. You may have a handful of supporters, or you may have hundreds, but know they are there for you through your ups and downs, your good days and bad days, through the hair loss and the weight loss, and anything else you may be dealing with.

The most important lesson for anyone to consider is this: Live every moment at that moment. It may seem cliché, but it is still important. Every strong person in my life who has battled cancer has said to not take life for granted because it only takes one phone call to change your life forever. I had received one of those phone calls from my doctor last year, and even though the doctor found no cancer cells developing, it changed my perspective on friendship, family and life.

I wish you all the best of health and the most memorable moments in life.

Sincerely,

Casie

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