Melissa Martin March 12, 2026 Why I want to be a Nurse There are many reasons for me wanting to be a Nurse actually a Oncology RN. My 1st taste was one of my 1st jobs I was CNA. I worked for a excellent nursing home facility that not only put me through CNA classes but later in CMA. Through that experience I worked on the locked Alzheimer’s and dementia unit. I also learn the art of caring. I learned how to care with compassion. I also go to experience many different experiences with not only the residents but the family and other coworkers. I absolutely loved an took a lot from working on the Alzheimer’s unit. You truly gained knowledge and understanding of what that disease can do at every stage. Because I was a CNA when I passed my CMA classes it was easy for me to work the medicine side . I had already built relationships with most of the residents. Plus I worked with the other CNAs so I didn’t mind jumping in and helping when and where I could. I also worked as a PCA for a private company where there I was able to learn and build a more personal connection with not only the patients but their families as well. I loved the more personal connection and less stressful atmosphere as a PCA. I had fewer patients I got to know them better and their stories. Even after all this experience, It wasn’t until my passing of my husband who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer as well as my own journey of stage 4 colon cancer that I find myself. After going through both cancer journey’s my calling is clear. My husband cancer journey was intense and was always changing. His had metastasized4 different ways an in multiple areas of the body. I was solely focused on being his voice and cheerleader what he wanted to do we did and what he didn’t want to we didn’t. He fought nine hard months and is forever cancer free Nov 1 2022 in heaven. I was diagnosed Mar 6 2024 of stage 4 colon cancer that spread to my liver with 3 masses in my liver. It wasn’t until my own cancer journey that I fully understood everything my husband went through and I knew what I want to do. After 2 surgeries and over 17 rounds of chemotherapy (which my husband never did he did a pill form) I’m on the back end of my journey but I know I want to be an oncology RN. I want to give my knowledge and experience as well as care and help others on their own cancer journey. Having someone who has been there as well as being able to show compassion along of the treatment means the world to patients, I know it did me. I love the feeling of knowing that even for a moment I was able to put a smile on someone’s face or offer compassion. My faith teaches me to be the light and through nursing I can be the light in someone’s darkness. Nurses are Angels in scrubs. For the 1st time I have found my purpose.

Melissa Martin March 12, 2026 Why I want to be a Nurse There are many reasons for me wanting to be a Nurse actually a Oncology RN. My 1st taste was one of my 1st jobs I was CNA. I worked for a excellent nursing home facility that not only put me through CNA classes but later in CMA. Through that experience I worked on the locked Alzheimer’s and dementia unit. I also learn the art of caring. I learned how to care with compassion. I also go to experience many different experiences with not only the residents but the family and other coworkers. I absolutely loved an took a lot from working on the Alzheimer’s unit. You truly gained knowledge and understanding of what that disease can do at every stage. Because I was a CNA when I passed my CMA classes it was easy for me to work the medicine side . I had already built relationships with most of the residents. Plus I worked with the other CNAs so I didn’t mind jumping in and helping when and where I could. I also worked as a PCA for a private company where there I was able to learn and build a more personal connection with not only the patients but their families as well. I loved the more personal connection and less stressful atmosphere as a PCA. I had fewer patients I got to know them better and their stories. Even after all this experience, It wasn’t until my passing of my husband who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer as well as my own journey of stage 4 colon cancer that I find myself. After going through both cancer journey’s my calling is clear. My husband cancer journey was intense and was always changing. His had metastasized4 different ways an in multiple areas of the body. I was solely focused on being his voice and cheerleader what he wanted to do we did and what he didn’t want to we didn’t. He fought nine hard months and is forever cancer free Nov 1 2022 in heaven. I was diagnosed Mar 6 2024 of stage 4 colon cancer that spread to my liver with 3 masses in my liver. It wasn’t until my own cancer journey that I fully understood everything my husband went through and I knew what I want to do. After 2 surgeries and over 17 rounds of chemotherapy (which my husband never did he did a pill form) I’m on the back end of my journey but I know I want to be an oncology RN. I want to give my knowledge and experience as well as care and help others on their own cancer journey. Having someone who has been there as well as being able to show compassion along of the treatment means the world to patients, I know it did me. I love the feeling of knowing that even for a moment I was able to put a smile on someone’s face or offer compassion. My faith teaches me to be the light and through nursing I can be the light in someone’s darkness. Nurses are Angels in scrubs. For the 1st time I have found my purpose

Melissa Martin March 12, 2026 Why I want to be a Nurse There are many reasons for me wanting to be a Nurse actually a Oncology RN. My 1st taste was one of my 1st jobs I was CNA. I worked for a excellent nursing home facility that not only put me through CNA classes but later in CMA. Through that experience I worked on the locked Alzheimer’s and dementia unit. I also learn the art of caring. I learned how to care with compassion. I also go to experience many different experiences with not only the residents but the family and other coworkers. I absolutely loved an took a lot from working on the Alzheimer’s unit. You truly gained knowledge and understanding of what that disease can do at every stage. Because I was a CNA when I passed my CMA classes it was easy for me to work the medicine side . I had already built relationships with most of the residents. Plus I worked with the other CNAs so I didn’t mind jumping in and helping when and where I could. I also worked as a PCA for a private company where there I was able to learn and build a more personal connection with not only the patients but their families as well. I loved the more personal connection and less stressful atmosphere as a PCA. I had fewer patients I got to know them better and their stories. Even after all this experience, It wasn’t until my passing of my husband who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer as well as my own journey of stage 4 colon cancer that I find myself. After going through both cancer journey’s my calling is clear. My husband cancer journey was intense and was always changing. His had metastasized4 different ways an in multiple areas of the body. I was solely focused on being his voice and cheerleader what he wanted to do we did and what he didn’t want to we didn’t. He fought nine hard months and is forever cancer free Nov 1 2022 in heaven. I was diagnosed Mar 6 2024 of stage 4 colon cancer that spread to my liver with 3 masses in my liver. It wasn’t until my own cancer journey that I fully understood everything my husband went through and I knew what I want to do. After 2 surgeries and over 17 rounds of chemotherapy (which my husband never did he did a pill form) I’m on the back end of my journey but I know I want to be an oncology RN. I want to give my knowledge and experience as well as care and help others on their own cancer journey. Having someone who has been there as well as being able to show compassion along of the treatment means the world to patients, I know it did me. I love the feeling of knowing that even for a moment I was able to put a smile on someone’s face or offer compassion. My faith teaches me to be the light and through nursing I can be the light in someone’s darkness. Nurses are Angels in scrubs. For the 1st time I have found my purpose.

Melissa Martin March 10, 2026 CANCER “My Journey “ My cancer journey started January 31st 2022. I walked into the ER with my husband who was feeling under the weather. We thought his Lyme disease had gotten worse. After several tests and MRI’s the ER doctor came in with news none ever wants to hear. With our pastor present the doctor tells us Stage 4 cancer in the lungs, joints and has possibly has spread. My heart sunk I did the only thing I knew to do lean on God. We have a teenage girl who is now a junior in high school. How are we going to get her through this? Hope. February 3 2022 my husband was diagnosed by his oncologist with Stage 4 Lung cancer that was not only in his lungs but his joints as well as his brain. We went through multiple tests and roll coaster of ever changing results and news of blood work, tests, MRI along with hospital visits and the emotional effects. My husband got to the point of having a feeding tube. We took every moment one at a time and did things “Wally’s way”. If my husband didn’t want to do something we didn’t. My goal was to make his journey as less stressful as possible. I took on all bills, still worked , still did all the normal work of a wife. Was still mom, and did school events. I wanted him to focus solely on his journey. November 1 2022, my husband was cancer free by the grace of God. His earthly fight was over. I thought I was done with cancer but that was not the case. March 6 2024 after going in for my standard colonoscopy and with no history I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. I had a mass in my colon and 3 masses in my liver. I went from being a caregiver of cancer to the patient. For the 1st time I truly understood my husband and all his struggles. My faith carried me through my husband’s journey and now will carry me through mine. I applied a lot of what I learned from my husband’s journey to my own but also had to find my own journey. No 2 cancers are the same and everyone has to fight and figure their journey their way. There is no right or wrong, it’s just a journey. After going through 17 rounds of chemo where my husband did the pill, I felt beat but I still work and had to be a mom I pushed through everyday with hope.. After surgery on my colon and liver plus more chemotherapy I’m am still working through my journey. I’m waiting for another colonoscopy to determine cancer free. But I will have to forever go through constant testing every year. My hope will always be alive. Cancer gave me hope. My experience has taught me a lot about life. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. If you have a dream chase it. I have a saying “the things that used to matter don’t and the things that didn’t matter do”. I have always had an interest in nursing but now after my husband and my own journey with cancer I’m pursuing my RN. I will be an oncology nurse. I want to share my experience with others and in what better way then in the area I know best. Through my cancer journey I have lost a lot but I’ve also gained a lot as well and I will forever be changed by Hope.

ALS and CANCER How has ALS affected me? While I have not experienced nor know any family with ALS, I have personally experienced cancer not only as a patient but also a caregiver. ALS and Cancer while completely two different diseases they both have similar hardships to not only the patient but the family and friends. February 3 2022 my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. For nine months we were on a cancer journey.November 1 2022 he went to be our savior and is forever cancer free. I myself was diagnosed March 6 2024 with stage 4 colon cancer. Like ALS. Cancer effects us the same. I personally will be forever changed by the journey I was on as a caregiver to my husband and now as a patient. As a caregiver I faced things like what I called “Wally’s way” (Wally my husband). I faced having to put aside my feelings, options, thoughts on how I might handle the forever changing journey with things like treatment, care, medication, etc. to doing it “Wally’s way” ,the way he wanted to go. While we would discuss everything, I had to be the supporter no matter what he wanted to do, because it was his journey and the one having to go through everything. I also still had to be mom, we had a middle schooler which is now in high school. Plus work, and do all my normal routine work around the house while taking care of my husband who had to stop work. It wasn’t until I was a patient that I ESSAY TITLE 1 truly understood what my husband went through. It’s the uncertainty of the unknown that truly was the hardest part. I also face trying to be positive for not only myself but for everyone else. My treatment was different I faced sickness because of the over treatment where my husband had the pill form. Finally I had to face the result we all never want to face death. That was hard having to figure out a new normal while still raising a teenager and trying to keep it together for her. I can only imagine that patients and family’s with ALS go through this as well. But together we have something in common and that’s HOPE. Hope is what brings us together, not because both diseases have no cure but hope for the future. It drives not only the patients but us as the family members. Hope is what gets us through every doctor visit, every treatment and every day. I believe also that because of this cancer and ALS has affected us for the good. Our foundation is hope and our communities will always be connected. While both ALS and cancer are different the affects they both have on us is the same. The affects we experience our journeys are different but together we are forever blessed that we have and experienced HOPE. We have been affected in a mighty powerful way.