I was diagnosed with liver cancer and kidney failure. Treatment took a huge toll on my body, but rowing helped me rebound.

• I was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2019. My family had no history of it prior to my diagnosis.
• My husband donated part of his liver to save my life.

In December 2019, I was diagnosed with liver cancer. There was no history of cancer in my family, and I had no underlying health issues, so to say I was surprised would be an understatement.

The chance of survival for liver cancer is tremendously thin. In every way, I should not be here today. Rowing was instrumental in helping me recover from the toll cancer took on my body.

My treatment was long and hard

My first round of treatment consisted of me lying on my back for five straight days. I had a stent placed that directed chemo through my main hepatic artery to my liver. I did those four times. I left the hospital each month hobbling, weak, and tired. But I was able to recover somewhat between each treatment.

After my four rounds of chemo, doctors determined I needed a liver transplant to finish the process and fully remove the cancer. Otherwise, the chance of recurrence would have been high.

My husband ended up being a match. We both went into the hospital on June 23, 2020. He donated 69% of his liver to allow me to live.

The surgery was a success, but we had a long road of recovery ahead of us.

The day after surgery, the nurses had me up and walking as soon as I could. We had small goals of walking to the ice machine, then to each other's rooms, and around the floor.

My team of doctors had me do systemic chemo afterward. I went into the hospital for infusions and took chemo pills.

My body didn't do too well with any of it. I had extreme side effects that led to acute kidney failure.

Since the kidney failure, my GFR numbers have gotten better. As of right now, they are fabulous. While waiting to get off a plane in Florida, I even received a call from my oncologist, who said he believed I was cured.

The cancer was gone, but my body had taken a toll

After about a year of treatment, my body was weak. Throughout my life, I've never enjoyed any kind of fitness activity. I always felt like it was a chore, so I never stuck with anything.

I started going to a chiropractor for some lower back pain, and he mentioned rowing as a great low-impact workout that also strengthens your core. I called a friend and asked her if she wanted to try rowing with me.

We walked into a rowing studio in March and fumbled through our first class. We continued to go back and work on our form. The entire team at the studio was welcoming and accommodating to my physical state. They encouraged us and kept us coming back.

Fast-forward some months, and now I'm hooked.

Rowing not only strengthens my body but also gives me achievable goals to mark my progress. I often walk away from the studio amazed at how far I've come in one year. I've already finished a half-marathon and have my sights on a full marathon in February.

Every time I want to give up or stop rowing, I think about the times I was lying flat on my back in the hospital fighting for my life, and I push through those thoughts — thankful that I'm alive and can row and move my body without sickness or pain.

I would never wish cancer on anyone, but the way it enriched my life and made me a stronger person is immeasurable.