For more on The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: www.lls.org/ga/.
Santiago Barrera was a rising 10th grader at Marietta’s Wheeler High School when he was stopped in his tracks, quite literally. “I started walking wobbly one day and it got worse and worse. Then I couldn’t even stand up,” the 16-year-old says. Santiago was diagnosed with stage 4 B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which resulted in a series of tumors, including the one that fractured his spine. Santiago spent the next six months at the Aflac Cancer Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta undergoing aggressive chemotherapy and steroids, blood transfusions, platelets and respiratory therapy. Then the coolest thing happened this past August. Santiago went back to school — walking on his own two feet. He talked about his experiences battling cancer and about being honored by the Georgia chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Q: What did you think when you heard cancer?
A: They did some tests and told me I had a tumor that had broken my T7 and T8 vertebrae. They told me it was cancer. I didn't really know what to say and I didn't really know what to think.
Q: How did you get through the treatments and being in the hospital for six months?
A: Some days were better than others but none of them were good. I knew I have a family that loves me. I saw the faces of little kids whose families are supporting them and their smile helped me get through the day. I play around a lot and I laughed at the pain. I just kept thinking of my future.
Q: What does that future look like?
A: In 9th grade, I joined a drafting class and I was hooked. I loved it and it never really felt like work. Then, when I got back to school in August, I started taking an audio/video class and I like it very much and enjoy the people I work with. I use a program that lets you create whatever you imagine and then 3D print it into real life. I can see myself doing something like that.
Q: After being bedridden for six months, you had to learn how to walk again. What was that like?
A: We don't think about walking, we just do it. When you have to relearn to walk, it is a weird feeling.
Q: Are there things you can’t do?
A: I can't really do any stressful activities that put pressure on my back. I can't lift anything too heavy. I am not able to walk long distances. I really wanted to play football again. Sports are pretty much out of the question.
Q: I know your mother is worried about medical bills but she is mostly worried about you. Do you worry?
A: I try not to worry about a lot of things. I'm supposed to keep the stress down.
Q: What will you be doing for the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?
A: I have been named the "Honored Hero" for its Students of the Year campaign. (A six-week fundraising competition for high school students.) I'll start attending events in November.
Q: What was it like going back to school?
A: Obviously, people were happy to see me. I told them that I would prefer to be treated as though nothing happened. I didn't like school before but now when the weekend comes around, I wish I were back in school. I am really happy to be back because I have met new friends, school keeps me distracted about my health and focused on the future.
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