Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to an incredible young lady and share a little bit of her story. Carly is a university student on her way to a promising career as an educator. In her new book, When Faith > Fear, Carly shares her story of a cancer diagnosis at a young age and how she and her very supportive family came through it together.
******************************************************
1) Hi Carly, can you tell me a little about yourself please? When were you first diagnosed with cancer and what was your reaction?
Hello! My name is Carly Freels. I am currently 21 years old and was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I now attend Texas A&M University and am studying to be an elementary teacher. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when I was 17 years old, during my junior year of high school. All my life, up until that point, I had led a health conscious, very active lifestyle. I ate well, worked out daily and took care of myself in anyway I knew how. On April 30th, 2012, my world was completely turned upside down with six letters – cancer. My family had always been a strong group of believers, but we knew that what was about to come our way would change us forever. Although it may seem silly or even naïve to an outside party, my first question for the doctor was “Can I still play volleyball?” Even though I understood that cancer is one of the most life changing things I could have been exposed to, my current role of a high school girl led me to believe that quitting volleyball was a more devastating loss.
2) How did your relationships with family and friends, as well as your school experience change once you were diagnosed?
Growing up, no matter what stage of my life, I had always loved school. I loved learning, I loved the friendships it formed, I loved the role models you could find in your teachers. I guess this is what led me to study education at A&M. Because of this deep passion to learn, I didn’t want this newly found glitch in my bill of health to keep me from these experiences. I wanted to act normal and attend school like every one of my peers. This turned out to not be as easy as I would have imagined though. In my head, I played it out like any other day, walking the halls with my friends, sitting in class taking notes on that week’s Calculus lesson, going to after school practice; however, this was not my reality. My days quickly became filled with empathetic stares and conversations, not being able to focus in classes due to all of life’s problems weighing on me and the doctor’s orders to not participate in volleyball. My friends, my faith and my family were truly my rock through all these wavering circumstances.
3) What were your thoughts and feelings your first time in MD Anderson? How did those experiences change as time went on?
I was blessed to have grown up in Houston, Texas, where there are so many prime medical facilities. The day I walked into MD Anderson for the first time, is truly a day I will never forget. My volleyball coach, who became one of my life mentors, had forewarned me that MD Anderson (as with any hospital) is a place that can either be drowned in darkness or looked at through the light. It was up to you to program your mentality the second you became a patient and decide what impact you would make on the MD Anderson community. Because I was easily the oldest in the pediatric center, I decided that I wanted to take on the role of the encourager to those younger than me. I was just as scared and helpless in the situation; however, I knew that the Lord put me in this place to help others see him in trial, even if that was along side of me. The team I was assigned at MD Anderson, as I’m sure is true of every worker there, is nothing less than top of the line. Every doctor I encountered was not only knowledgeable in his or her area of expertise, but also so welcoming and uplifting to my family and me.
4) What has life been like since you were cured?
Since I have been cured of my cancer, life has gone on as normal with the added fact that I rarely take any day for granted anymore. I realize now that every second is a gift from the Lord and that we are blessed to be healthy and with the ones we love most. I got to continue on and pursue my passion in teaching, studying education at my dream school, Texas A&M University. I still return to MD Anderson bi-annually for routine check ups, but aside from that, I am living the life I have always dreamed.
5) What made you decide to write a book about your battle with cancer?
I decided to write and publish my book, When Faith > Fear, last year. All throughout my treatments, I kept a journal of my thoughts, prayers, fears, etc. and felt like I was supposed to share that with other people in the same situation. All too often, all the tragedies of cancer are given the spotlight, when in reality it should be the successes that are focused on. These are the stories that will provide a source of hope for those currently battling this earthly plague. I also asked each person in my family to contribute a chapter, so that it was less focused on the patient and more well rounded in the stories of everyone involved. The patient, although the most directly affected, is not the only one battling cancer. Everyone who knows and loves them is struggling as well. Because of this, I wanted my whole family to give their advice, thoughts and experiences on the subject.
6) How can we keep up with your story and purchase your book?
You can keep up with my story through:
- My book’s Facebook page – When Faith > Fear
- My blog – https://whenfaithfear.wordpress.com
- My Twitter – @CarlyFreels
You can purchase my book via:
Thank you!
Carly, Hebrews 11:1
***********************************************************
We’d like to thank Carly for sharing her story with us and encourage you to read When Faith > Fear. We would love to share any words of encouragement or kindness that you may want to offer Carly, so don’t be shy and leave a comment. 🙂
FT&PD
Suz
**Want to read about other inspiring people? Check out our Getting To Know page!
**Please note that any links shared in this post are NOT affiliate links.
Good for Carly!!
Prayers, family and friends are what we all need at any time but in the hour of need they will all be there
for us.
Sounds like a good book to read.
Thanks for sharing, Suzanne
Wonderful news that Carly is in remission. Having a strong team to support you along the way is so important. I am happy to hear that Carly had that support and then also offered it to other patients as well.
What a wonderful young woman. I loved when she said, “I realize now that every second is a gift from the Lord and that we are blessed to be healthy and with the ones we love most.” Great reminder that we can all use (daily)!
I’m very happy to hear that Cathy has kicked Cancer’s butt. So many ones I love have been lost to cancer and it is a word that makes me cringe whenever I hear it. I know this book will help others and I love that Cathy’s families perspective is involved in it as well.
Thank you for sharing your story. So happy you are in remission. Every day is truly a gift
What a beauitful story about faith and love! I am so happy that she is in remission and surrounded by a strong support team!
What a truly inspiring story! Carly is an amazing woman and writing a book about her experience will definitely help others who are dealing with similar health problems. Every time I hear of someone winning their battle with cancer, I feel a little more hopeful. I do hope one day it’s as easily treatable as the common cold.
What a beautiful and strong young woman. I’m so glad she is doing better. Great interview!
Thank you Susan, for featuring Carly and sharing her story. Carly’s story serves an inspiration for cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones. The strength, both of body and of spirit, that Carly has shown is so admirable. I say, keep it up Carly, keep the faith and continue to enjoy life.
She’s a very brave young woman and I’m glad she’s cured now and she’s back to her normal life. It’s great that she fought through it and she even made it a point to become an inspiration to many of those who are in the same situation as her. And she continues to do that through her book. What an admirable young lady!
Fantastic news that Carly is in remission,you need positive people around you whan you have to face with Cancer.I am so happy for her,strong lady indeed
Carly is an inspiration. I concur that when someone goes through an illness, such as cancer, it is not only the patient who struggles but those around that person as well. Having a strong faith is important in facing a challenge like this. I pray for Carly and her loved ones as they inspire others through their stories and prayers.
She’s too young for cancer but it was great that she was brave enough to go through the therapies. My mom had cancer and is now on the stage of recovery.
Beautiful story, glad I read her story through you. I pray that she continues living in faith and being a walking example of God’s mercy and love for us.
What a brave, unselfish young woman! She’s willing to share her story to give encouragement to others. I just learned today that thehusband of another friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with the big C. So sad. I pray we will never experience it.
Being diagnosed with cancer at such a young age, at the prime of her life, is such devastating news. This girl seemed to have passed through her ordeal with such a good fighting and positive attitude. Half the battle was already won at that point.
What an inspiration she is to others going through the same thing. Cancer is such an evil disease and I wish that they would find a cure sooner than later. I lost my own mother to it last year and it was devastating. She’s a survivor and I hope that others would get to read her book and her story.
One word, “brave”. That’s how I can describe her. If one has cancer, the only thing you can do is to be brave and pray to God also; My respect goes to her.
My best friend lost her mother to cancer. So cancer is scary for me… Its very heartening to read the stories of survivors.
I am so proud of her. My dad died of cancer a year ago, and it made really sensitive when it comes to topic about the disease. I am happy she survived it. And I am glad she is out there to inspire people.
This is such a sobering article! I have so much admiration for Carly and her bravery. 🙂
So inspiring! Kudos to the young lady to overcome the dreaded C. I wish her health and long life.
Carly is truly inspiring. She used her own battle with cancer to inspire others to be better, and share her faith in the process. I hope she achieves her dream of becoming a teacher soon!
How wonderful that she worte the book. I’m sure it will be a great source for many!!
Wow! She sure is amazing. What an inspiration. I have to admit every now and then, I forget how precious each moment is. I’m definitely guilty of that. Very important to never take it for granted, embrace and appreciate every single moment because life is uncertain. We never know what will happen next. Thanks for sharing this post and her story.
What a brave and inspiring girl.
I am glad she is doing good now and as a cancer survivor myself i can relate how difficult it is to go through it,
Wow that is a very inspiring story and I wish her all the best. Be strong and you can go through any challenges in life.
Thank you for sharing this story. Cancer touches us all.
Wow! I have so much admiration for Carly and her bravery. Prayers, family and friends are so important when going through such hard times. Thank you for sharing this post.
What a very powerful and moving story! The world needs this positivity 🙂
cancer affects so many people in our lives now and I am truly happy when someone says they are in remission
Very inspirational. It’s nice to hear about survivors.
What a strong young woman and the way she chose to write her story sounds really inspirational. I am going to have to give this a read.
What a courageous young woman and it’s marvellous that she’s beaten cancer, that doesn’t happen often enough unfortunately.
Thank you for sharing this life experience. It’s heartwarming to hear how faith turns an awful situation into a mission to help others.
Sometimes i come back to read this she gives hope!
So happy for this courageous young woman,I just recently lost a friend it’s a horrible disease !
aside from that, I am living the life I have always dreamed.
Very positive mind. I am sure that it was just a period of hell and nightmare. You make me believe you already have the will to live.
I understand the importance of faith during cancer. It is needed for hope and comfort.