Dear Members of the UMBC Community:
I was deeply sorry to learn that one of our students, Nina Wang, a Biochemistry major and Meyerhoff Scholar, died on Saturday, October 1 of Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Nina wrote to me several times after learning of her diagnosis in spring, 2004. I have reflected on her e-mails and my conversations with her, and I thought you would find strength in her notes to me. Her words reflect not only her great inner strength, but also her extraordinary perspective on what's important in life.
Death is always hard to accept, but especially so when it involves such a young, vibrant human spirit. I thank Nina for inspiring me, and I know that she will continue to live in our hearts and minds.
I was particularly touched by the comment she made in her e-mail of July 25, 2004 about what she learned from her illness: "Miracles can really occur if they come from the heart."
Our thoughts and prayers are with Nina's family.
Freeman Hrabowski
May 6, 2004
Dear Dr. Hrabowski,
How are you? Let me introduce myself first. I am Nina Wang, a Meyerhoff Scholar. I don't know if you remember me from the Summer Bridge program.
I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma this semester and am currently going through chemotherapy. I am trying to be strong and to pull through. Going through chemotherapy and studying for these hard classes have been a real challenge for me. I am a very academically driven person, and I just can't let myself fail in my academics. I have been so stressed out, and on top of that, I have been sick every other week. I have talked to the Meyerhoff staff, and they have been so supportive. My fellow M's have also been so supportive (getting my work and helping me throughout the days I am at school). I am only 19 years old, and I have never ever thought about being diagnosed with cancer.
Maybe I just need someone to really talk to...
Nina Wang
Biochemistry Major, M-15
July 25, 2004
Dear Dr. Hrabowski,
How are you? Remember me? I hope you are enjoying your summer. I finally finished my last round of radiation. Yeah!
The last round of chemo hit me pretty hard. I became so thin, pale, and lost a lot of weight. They gave me a two-week break before starting radiation. Radiation wasn't bad. I actually drank aloe everyday (gross!) to relieve some potential side effects. I guess it helped. I gained most of my weight back, and some doctors tell me that I have recovered so well that hardly anyone can tell I just came out of a storm. My hair is slowly growing back, and I feel perfectly normal. The blood counts are going up, and everything looks pretty good.
I did finish my classes for the semester and did pretty well. I was disappointed with a B in Chem 102, however. I earned A's in Math 152 and Biology 100. Over the summer, I am finishing my labs for the science courses. As of now, I have an A in my Bio lab and am currently finishing my Chemistry lab. By the fall, I'll be right where I belong.
So, what have I learned through this whole experience? First of all, I realized that I am stronger than I thought I was. Before chemo, I basically lost all self-control - making it impossible to finish school, making me lose my long black hair, making me go through many other physical and emotional changes. Being different from everyone else really bothered and irritated me. However, I did make it. I wanted to finish my classes and I did. Miracles can really occur if they come from the heart.
I thank my loving family, the Meyerhoff staff, and my brothers and sisters who helped me through my physical impediments. My parents drove me to school everyday, and my brothers and sisters kept in touch with me and helped to get me notes, lectures, and anything I needed. The staff was so understanding, and everybody gave me encouragement, including you Dr. Hrabowski. I can't thank you enough.
I've learned to take care of my body and to eat what's healthy. Cancer is something that can come back anytime, and I never want to see it come back. I have gotten many books and done research about Hodgkins. You should see all the herbs and vitamins my mother gives me.
I can't wait to go back to school and really work hard. I want to make up everything I've missed out on. This experience has made me want to accomplish my dreams more than ever. My father told me that sometimes we need to fall back and stand steady before we make that bigger jump. I have fallen back, and I am ready to leap into the next part of my life.
I think I've grown up and matured a lot. I've become so much stronger spiritually and mentally. I sometimes want to share my experiences with people and hope to have an impact on them. Although this experience wasn’t a great one, I am happy it's over, and I can pick up where I left off and move on.
I hope you're having a great summer and hope to see you soon! Keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Nina Wang
December 20, 2004
Dear Dr. Hrabowski,
It's been a long time since we’ve talked. I've been swamped with work and finals for the past few weeks and just had a crazy semester trying to recover. Classes are going well.
My doctors had to do another surgical procedure on me, but it wasn't what they thought it was. Whew! So, as of now, I am good to go! I just have to go back for lots of blood work and checkups.
My hair is growing back, and some people can’t recognize me, which is funny because I don’t think I look any different. Hope all is well.
Wishing you and your family wonderful holidays and a Happy New Year!! Keep in touch.
Nina Wang
