Sarah Synovec should have been elated as she stood atop the Eiffel Tower.
But after she climbed hundreds of stairs on that trip with her family, Synovec — now a first-year medical student at UNMC — found herself acutely aware that something was wrong.
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Sarah Synovec (Kim Hachiya, UNL Communications) |
Bad news upon return
Soon after she returned home, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Synovec — a biological sciences major who long dreamed of a career in emergency medicine and trauma surgery — was crushed.
“I really honestly thought that it was all over,” she said.
Attitudinal shift
But after the initial shock, she vowed to remain positive.
She underwent six months of chemotherapy while she forged ahead with her sophomore year. She found support in family, friends and her other family — the UNL community.
Adviser goes extra mile
Among those who helped keep her dreams on track was her academic adviser, Wendy O’Connor. Synovec called O’Connor a “godsend.”
O’Connor was particularly helpful when Synovec moved from her sorority house to an off-campus apartment. Synovec had to live alone while she underwent treatment to protect her fragile immune system.
O’Connor recommended her own apartment complex, so she could be close if Synovec needed a ride to a doctor’s appointment or other help.
“She was just willing to do anything for me,” Synovec said. “She’s just wonderful.”
Dream realized
Synovec has been in remission since December 2008. She graduated from UNL earlier this month and started this week at UNMC, where she was treated. She intends to specialize in oncology.
Her experience with her illness and treatment proved inspirational, Synovec said.
“I could bring so much to medicine because I had that personal experience,” Synovec said.
We are so proud of Sarah. She truly is an inspiration to all of us. We are blessed to have such a wonderful God daughter, and look forward to sharing in her journey through medical school.
WAY TO GO!!!!!!!This truly was an inspirational story.
Our beautiful daughter is an inspiration to all who meet her!
We know she will do great things with her medical career.
Our dear Sarah, we are so very proud of you and love you very much! Way to go!
~Grandma & Grandpa Arensdorf and family
🙂
Sarah's positive life lessons have helped our whole family through the trials and tribulations that life sends our way! Love, Aunt Debbie
Welcome to med school, Sarah! We're glad to have you here.
Your story is too emotional and inspiraitonal. I felt the tears filling my eyes when I both read about your illness and your remssion. I hope the best for you!
We are so proud of you Sarah. You are an inspiration for so many people! Way to go.
John, Mare, Nick, Luke & Molly Rockefeller
Sarah- what a wonderful article and a beautiful picture. Your amazing outlook is a good lesson for everyone. I know your experience will make you a caring and empathetic physician. What a gift you will be to your patients!!