Battling cancer is tough enough, but Brittani Champagne, elementary education senior from Luling, fought it with an optimistic attitude.
During her freshman year at Nicholls, Champagne was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This type of cancer attacks the immune system and weakens the patients’ ability to fight infections. It most commonly affects people in their 20s and 50s.
Champagne went through months of chemotherapy while simultaneously doing online classes. During these months, Champagne maintained a 4.0 grade point average.
Although cancer may be a time to grieve for some people, Champagne was determined to beat her life-threatening disease.
“It was my optimistic outview that I took in to say, ‘okay this what I have to do, so what do we need to do to get rid of it?’ ” Champagne said. “I was always asking when I could start treatment, but doctors told me to wait; I wanted to get it over with, so I could get back to school.”
Champagne said that during her treatment, it was a lonely time, because her friends were at school and family members were working.
Two years later, Champagne is now in what doctors call remission. This means that if the cancer does not come back within five years, the patient is considered cured. This is Champagne’s second year in remission.
Now that Champagne has returned to Nicholls, she said that she has become a hypochondriac.
“Every little thing freaks me out, and I have to get it checked out,” Champagne said.
Champagne is president of the Nicholls Education Association of Teachers and a swimming instructer during the summer.
Despite the frequent checkups to ensure her cancer does not return, Champagne is just an average college student who loves to hang out with friends, knit and do well in school.
Champagne was recently accepted into the Disney College Program, in which she will begin interning in the fall.
“Nothing is holding me back,” Champagne said.
Looking back on her treatment, Champagne said that the experience has made life more precious. She believes cancer is a “live life to the fullest” thing.
“Life can come at you hard,” Champagne said. “You never know what is going to happen.”
Champagne’s advice to cancer patients, survivors, friends and family who are going through this experience is to talk with someone and not hide your feelings.
“Cancer affects everyone around you,” Champagne said. “It affects your family, and it affects your friends.”
In honor of those affected by cancer, St. Charles Parish is holding a Relay for Life ceremony on April 16. It is a fundraiser to find a total cure for cancer. Champagne said that she would be participating in the program this year to share her life changing experience.
