Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Worstell
Hi Abby, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In the spring of 2019 at the age of 24 years old, I was finishing my first year as a third grade teacher. I was told that your first year in the classroom would be a difficult year with a lot of learning. For most of my first year, I felt very tired and rarely felt 100%. I assumed this came with the territory of a first year teacher, but I now know my body was trying to tell me something for a long time. On April 2, 2019 I woke up in a lot of pain and unable to get a deep breath. I went to my primary physician’s office and she quickly discovered I had a very large mass in my chest that was preventing me from getting a deep breath without hunching over. For a long time, I thought I had torn a muscle in my chest as I felt an unusual pain that I could not pinpoint. Come to find out, this mass had been growing very fast in my chest for about a year before we found it. I will forever be grateful for the quick action the nurses and doctors took to get me a diagnosis within a couple of days. My doctors felt confident they knew what this mass actually was and by the next day, I had a confirmed cancer diagnosis. I was diagnosed with a blood cancer called “Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma” which is a fast growing aggressive type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
The next two weeks were an absolute blur full of doctors appointments, a hospital stay, biopsies, a CAT scan, a treatment plan and a big hair cut. Due to the speed at which this tumor was growing, my doctors felt I needed to get started with treatment right away. My first round of chemotherapy was on April 15th and this would consist of six rounds of chemotherapy. The schedule was one full week of 24/7 chemotherapy and then two weeks off to let my body recover. The third week started all over again. This was the schedule for four full months. There is no need to include all of the details that come with those four months of treatment, but simply put, my body was pretty worn out.
I am fortunate to say, the treatment plan was very effective and I got my first clear scan in November of 2019 after the six rounds of chemotherapy. Once my immune system was strong enough, I was able to return to my teaching career where I worked as a third grade teacher for five more school years. As I approached my five year remission milestone, I was feeling led to enter into a new season. With the support of my husband, family and friends, I sought a career at The American Cancer Society. I am happy to report my health continues to be in good standing and I am feeling more like myself each and every day. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to patients and their families who are walking a similar path that my family and I found ourselves in about five years ago. To me, working at ACS is more than just a career…it’s personal.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Hearing you have cancer at any age is a terrifying reality than many people face. My cancer journey was anything but easy. However, I can honestly say I felt more support and peace during this time than I have ever felt in my life. I am so grateful to have such an incredible support system from my family and friends both during and after my diagnosis. For many, this is not the case. I cannot imagine going through such a life changing experience without my family and my faith. My family provided such a strong support system for me throughout the entire treatment and beyond. I am so grateful to say that I never went to a doctor visit without a family member and for that I will forever be grateful. My now husband and I met after my treatment was over. While he did not go to every doctor visit with me in 2019, he has made sure to not miss a single follow up appointment since. One of the challenges that many people do not necessarily consider is the aftermath of treatment. Of course I was thrilled to know I would no longer receive chemotherapy every third week, but I don’t think anyone can properly prepare you for what post treatment weeks, months and years look like. My husband has been a rock for me during this season of physical and mental recovery. There is a lot of fear that comes with the awareness that anything can happen to anyone. I did not feel like myself or look like myself for a long time and having that constant support during that chapter is something I will never forget and always be grateful for.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My role at the American Cancer Society is with the Nashville market. My title is the Senior Development Coordinator. I work with the development team helping raise critical funds for cancer patients and their caregivers. I support our development managers and work to help many fundraising events come to life. I am still new to this role but I really enjoy learning all the ways our organization supports not only those facing a cancer diagnosis but also their “army” that is supporting them along the way. I am honored to be a small part of helping “end cancer as we know if for everyone.”
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Give yourself grace!! When I stepped away from the classroom, I was so nervous about learning a new skillset and leaving something I felt so comfortable doing. I have to continually remind myself that it is perfectly normal to not be an expert immediately. I love being able to check things off my list and sometimes I can let myself become overwhelmed with all the things I do not know. I once heard a friend say to always include “yet” when you are learning something new. For example, “I do not know how to do this task…yet.” I have kept this in mind while I am learning what my new role entails. Whether it be a new job, major life change, or maybe even a cancer diagnosis, try to give yourself grace that you do not need to not know all of the answers, yet!
