Can you believe this is my 5th post of the new year? As in number 5. Numero cinco. Which is my softball number. Man, you really would have thought I timed it out that way to make the storyline even greater. I did not though. I don’t believe in coincidences but I do find that to be pretty cool. This post has nothing to do with my number though. Or even really about softball for that matter. It is about a very significant day in my life. One that changed my life forever. But this day is not all about me. It is about you too. It is about everyone really and remembering the seasons you didn’t think you were going to make it out of and how much you have grown since then.
Keep Rising, Overcoming, and Dreaming.
So here it goes…
January 10, 2023. The day I became bionic and CANCER FREE! I have kept a lot of that day and that time a secret. It was probably the most traumatic time in my entire year of treatment. In all honesty, I’m still trying to heal pain that came from that day. Taking that pain and slowly learning and turning it into glory. Taking a time that was once known as a time I nearly died to a time to celebrate life and more life.
The night prior to my surgery I was a wreck. I talked to some of my friends for hours, which was a great distraction. As soon as I hung up and got ready to go to bed to wake up super early the next morning, the nerves started settling in. To be honest, I don’t even know how I brought myself to fall asleep with how nervous I was. I made sure to sleep on my side because I knew it would be a while until the next time I would be able to. I woke up to my alarm and immediately went into a panic. I wasn’t ready at all, but I knew I needed to be. I got dressed quickly, and before I knew it, I was kissing my brothers goodbye while they were still sleeping and walking out the door. In the car ride over to the hospital, I already felt the tears and worry arising. I had total faith in the Lord, and I knew I was going to be okay. I just also couldn’t help but think about the worst case scenarios. This wasn’t a small surgery, and there were many great risks. I am also human at the end of the day. I wanted to get it all over with so quickly, but the buildup of the entire day was killing my anxiety. In the lobby of the hospital, my mom and I met up with my dad and Godmother. I went to register myself. As we waited to get called in to start prepping, I was trying my best to calm myself down. I was watching whatever cartoon was on the TV and started to think about simpler times in my life. Times where my nerves were for a big game or test and not for my life.
The final 10 minutes before the surgery were the saddest 10 minutes of my life. The surgeon had already gone over how the procedure was going to be done and how long it should take. He went over some risks that could happen and I chose to use my selective hearing for that part. He left and the nurse came in to give me some drugs to calm me down cause again I was going absolutely insane. She came in one last time to tell me it was time to go and I latched onto both my parents as my heart began to break into a million pieces. They kept reassuring me that they would see me very soon and I will be rid of all of this before I know it. I wanted to believe them I really did but in that moment I was just so grateful for the beautiful life and family I had.
Five days prior to the surgery I had my pre-op appointment. I didn’t know which surgery I was getting before then. I had an idea, but I also knew it could have gone a number of different ways. I initially had two options: get a rod through my femur and do radiation on top of chemo in order to continue my dream of playing college softball, or a total resection with a high chance of no radiation or playing softball ever again. Although the decisions may come off as pretty tricky, for me it was as clear as day. Whichever one grants me more life. More life with my family. More life to live, laugh, learn, love, continue to chase more dreams and experience them all come true. The final decision was a partial hip replacement and a total reconstruction of the femur.
I finally reach the operating room and move myself onto the table. I start talking to some of the medical professionals. (I don’t know any of the medical positions or terms so don’t flame me) One of which was trying to make small talk with me to help me relax but I told him I didn’t need it. I was ready and in seconds I was out like a light.
I woke up and had the immediate urge to cry of so much joy. I didn’t even know yet about the next greatest thing that was going to happen in that moment. I see my dad and he tells me that the margins were negative. No need for radiation and no more cancer!!! At that moment I couldn’t hold back any tears that were so desperate to pour out of me. I was beyond happy and thankful to God for saving me. For waking me up and blessing me with the greatest gift I could ever receive. Life and more life.
A day that was known as a day I nearly died was also a day I had my greatest breakthrough and blessing and for that I celebrate life every single day. And a little extra on the 10th of the first month of the year. I stand today stronger, taller, and prouder than I ever have and with the people who mean everything in the world to me. Life is the true party and something I believe we should celebrate as much as we can. So I share this holiday with you all because no matter how hard life got you **K**ept **R**ising, **O**vercame everything you thought you couldn't, and never stopped **D**reaming for a greater tomorrow.
Happy Belated KROD Day! God bless you all!
Xoxo,
Kroddyrich💋
kroddyrich.com 
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