Spring 2018 Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Scholarship Winner Sirena Cordova. The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance is pleased to announce the winner of the Spring 2018 Scholarship, Sirena Cordova. Sirena is currently pursuing graduate studies at SUNY Empire, after receiving her bachelor's degree from the college in June 2017. She became the first member of her family to graduate from college, an achievement that became more difficult than she expected as her personal life faced many traumatic events along the way.
As soon as Sirena started her college career, life continued to throw hurdle after hurdle at her family. Her partner lost his job soon after she started her first semester of school, adding a financial strain and a lot of scrambling on her end to ensure bills would be covered. In addition to her full-time position at the Department of Social Services as a caseworker, she took on a second job on top of her duties as a mom and her schoolwork.
After 18 months of such stress, the family thought they were finally catching a break as her partner returned to work. But just a few months later, the family faced turmoil once more that would only continue to grow as Sirena continued her education.
The Hardships of Cancer Recurrence
Sadly, just as soon as life started to go back to normal for the family, they faced even more bad news. Sirena’s partner learned his cancer had returned more aggressively, with spreading to his lungs. He received a stage 4 diagnosis, and he became too weak to even bathe on his own. Sirena became his caregiver and made his medical decisions, in addition to all her normal responsibilities and returning to her second night-time job to cover their additional expenses.
In the midst of this health crisis, her son also received an Asperger’s syndrome diagnosis. Fortunately, he was able to seek group therapy to help improve his condition, but it was a struggle to balance one more hardship in the face of so much already. But in the face of it all, Sirena started her final year of college in January and put all she had into her education.
“I threw myself into my studies in between all my appointments and responsibilities because I wanted to finish strong. School saved me from having a nervous breakdown,” Sirena explained. “It allowed me to focus my energy on my essays and discussions, not the traumatic events that kept unfolding in front of me. Doing well in school lifted my spirits, it gave me hope.”
Thankfully, with the new school year, things started to turn around. Her son made progress in his group therapy, finding further support from his brother. After seeking chemotherapy and radiation at a cancer treatment center in Boston, Sirena’s partner went into remission, though the family doesn’t take his current condition for granted. “I take his cancer day by day at this point,” Sirena said. “He is in remission today.”
As soon as Sirena started her college career, life continued to throw hurdle after hurdle at her family. Her partner lost his job soon after she started her first semester of school, adding a financial strain and a lot of scrambling on her end to ensure bills would be covered. In addition to her full-time position at the Department of Social Services as a caseworker, she took on a second job on top of her duties as a mom and her schoolwork.
After 18 months of such stress, the family thought they were finally catching a break as her partner returned to work. But just a few months later, the family faced turmoil once more that would only continue to grow as Sirena continued her education.
The Hardships of Cancer Recurrence
Sadly, just as soon as life started to go back to normal for the family, they faced even more bad news. Sirena’s partner learned his cancer had returned more aggressively, with spreading to his lungs. He received a stage 4 diagnosis, and he became too weak to even bathe on his own. Sirena became his caregiver and made his medical decisions, in addition to all her normal responsibilities and returning to her second night-time job to cover their additional expenses.
In the midst of this health crisis, her son also received an Asperger’s syndrome diagnosis. Fortunately, he was able to seek group therapy to help improve his condition, but it was a struggle to balance one more hardship in the face of so much already. But in the face of it all, Sirena started her final year of college in January and put all she had into her education.
“I threw myself into my studies in between all my appointments and responsibilities because I wanted to finish strong. School saved me from having a nervous breakdown,” Sirena explained. “It allowed me to focus my energy on my essays and discussions, not the traumatic events that kept unfolding in front of me. Doing well in school lifted my spirits, it gave me hope.”
Thankfully, with the new school year, things started to turn around. Her son made progress in his group therapy, finding further support from his brother. After seeking chemotherapy and radiation at a cancer treatment center in Boston, Sirena’s partner went into remission, though the family doesn’t take his current condition for granted. “I take his cancer day by day at this point,” Sirena said. “He is in remission today.”
