My real name is Anastasia Megaloudis but i go by Nastasia, i am 13 years old, and my life has been anything but normal. Becuase of cancer my life changed, i was first affecited by cancer starting at 3 years old. My grandmother, uncle, and mother all had cancer, none survived. By that sentence, everyone reading this is probably shocked, already feels bad, and wants to read more or someone who can't. I know people very well, i can tell when something is wrong. So by the look on everyones face, "cancer" was the worst thing. You don't really expect a 3 year old to know what cancer is, and i never did. Everyone crying, running around, hugging, and having terrifying looks on their faces made me confused, and sad. Two years later, November 1, she never was able to finish her battle with stomach cancer, so what do we do? We all have a funeral, we cried, we laughed, we all had a real family moment with out one family member, it gave us all hope. But me? I sat there trying to figure out what the hell just happened. I never understood death or cancer until, my uncle got cancer 1 year later.  And a lot happened since my grandmother's death. Family fueds, depression and all sorts of drama. While regret, hatred, and picking sides went on, cancer was spreading in his body. He was weak, and he was depressed. Another year went by on the hottest sumer day i could remember. My mother stepped into a hospital, walked out, came home, along with the rest of my family and right then and there we got hit with the big news. i was 7 years old, and my thought was " what is this cancer ?" i think everyone eventually asks this question. So i'm going to skip the parts that will make you and me tear and get to it... I'm writing this at 1:26 a.m Saturday, July 23, 5 years later since i asked the question.

So...What is cancer?  The dictionary's definition has 3 answers which are : A. malignant and invasive growth or tumor, especially one originating in epithelium, tending to recur after excision and to metastasize to other sites. B. any disease characterized by such growths. C. any evil condition or thing that spreads destructively; blight.

My definition of cancer is: the evilest disease on earth, and a murderess sickness that never let me rest from having my ruined past tag behind me every second of the day.

I hate cancer, but if i weren't touched by cancer, i wouldn't have a story... And if I didn't have a story I wouldn't be able to say i went through what i did, i also wouldn't be the person i am today, and i'm extremely proud of who i am. Cancer made me stronger, whether people don't want to admit it or if they do, i know it made them stronger too. And that is the only positive thing i know about cancer. For the people going through this right now, this second, here is a little advice, stay strong, its going to be fine.And i would love to help you in your struggle.

- Anastasia Megaloudis