Courtesy Photo Kailea Romel

POSEN — Having childhood cancer taught this young woman not to take anything for granted.

When Kailea Romel was 9 years old, she was diagnosed with an ovarian germ cell tumor.

“I was transferred down to Mott (Children’s Hospital), and they had to do a massive surgery,” Romel said last week. “It was in between Stage 3 and Stage 4. It was on the verge of Stage 4.”

She had to undergo six rounds of chemotherapy after the tumor was removed.

“Then I had a lung cancer scare right after that,” Romel said. “That, luckily, turned out to be nothing.”

But, at 16, more health issues arose.

“When I turned 16, they found a tumor with a ton of nodules on my thyroid,” Romel explained. “So I had to have my thyroid completely removed. Luckily, that was not cancerous.”

She now takes medication and has routine blood work done.

“I have medicine and blood work for the rest of my life for that,” Romel said of having her thyroid removed.

She also had a breast cancer scare, but that turned out benign.

Romel, now 30, of Posen, is thankful for what she’s overcome, what she has, and what the future holds.

“My life, now, is pretty much like anybody’s life,” she said. “I just have my yearly screenings, I don’t have anything high-risk, or anything like that, because I’m so far out.”

She is happily married with children of her own.

“I’m enjoying life with my kids that I never thought I would have,” Romel said.

She likes outdoor activities and spending time with family.

Romel has been active in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, with a team in her honor for the past two decades.

The whole cancer experience has shaped Romel’s outlook on life.

“It has really given me an appreciation for life, and made me realize that life is short, and that you can’t take anything for granted,” Romel said.

Romel added that she tries not to worry about the small stuff.

“Life’s too short to be stressed out or upset about little things,” she said.

Romel is grateful for her family’s support throughout her journey.

“My family is very important to me, because, without their love and support throughout my life, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” she said. “I try to remind myself to cherish every moment with them and my husband’s family, as there was a chance I could have missed out on all these precious moments and memories. They all mean a lot to me.”

She encourages others to take care of their health, and to go to the doctor if they think something is wrong.

“Don’t ever think that it can’t happen to you,” Romel said. “Cancer is real, and it’s out there, and it doesn’t care who it picks … It’s scary to get that diagnosis, but, if you feel like something’s wrong, then go get it checked out, sooner rather than later, because, the longer you wait, the worse off it is.”

Romel said listening to your body is key.

“Be in tune with your own body, and, if something doesn’t feel right, advocate for yourself,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to push, and get tests.”

She noted that, with all the medical advances, there is hope.

“Just because you get cancer doesn’t mean it’s the end,” she said. “People beat it every day.”