Unstoppable Karolina: How Challenges Sparked Her Passion

Introducing Karolina, a spirited 27-year-old who embodies resilience and the power of gratitude. In this interview, she shares her insights on turning struggles into strength and the importance of connection in navigating life’s ups and downs.

Can you introduce yourself? What’s your name, how old are you and where are you from?

Hi! I’m Karolina, I am 27 years old and my background is complex – Mom is from Poland and Dad is from Armenia 😉

What was your diagnosis?

I had ovarian cancer, it was Lymphoma.

When did you first learn about your diagnosis?

I was 12 years old.

Can you tell us how and when you found out?

Many times I ended up in the hospital with abdominal pain, without an ultrasound it was thought to be appendicitis and I was released home, eventually during a school handball competition, I lost consciousness, ended up in the hospital once again – only then my parents acted.

What motivated you to join EU-CAYAS-NET and what does it mean to you?

I would answer this question with more of a “Who motivated me to join” –  it happened because of Magdalena, who has been talking about you guys for a long time now, how much is happening and why it is so important.

I would like people who are sick / Survivors to have access to knowledge, people, care that I once did not have, and I believe immensely that the awareness of how every aspect raised by you is hugely important will spread with each day of your activities.

How has cancer changed your outlook on life? What is the most important lesson you learned from your experience?

Whenever the slogan of my illness falls in my environment I hear to this day: it’s impossible, I’m very sorry, etc. “Unfortunately” I am happy about it today. It’s been a long process to grasp it and get the good out of it, to work on what happened. But I feel that I am on the right track.

Today I can say that thanks to this experience I am more mature, more aware of what I want, more courageous, a little impulsive or sometimes crazy- BUT! What’s most important for me: celebrating life every day, whatever it may be! Every day is important.

What helped you during the treatment process? Was there something or someone that made a big difference?

Grandma and Music, from heavy metal to electric or sung poetry.

How has your life changed since your diagnosis? How have things changed, both big and small?

First of all, I have grown up, matured and see the world and life a little differently. I find it easier to get in touch with older people than with my peers – it can be difficult. Sometimes I can’t understand their simple problems, which came to me quite quickly at a young age.

I look more broadly at everything, analyze a lot and notice details.

If you could go back to the day you were diagnosed, what would you say to yourself then?

Remember, you are unstoppable, you have the right to be weak, angry and helpless, you have the right to give up just to take a run and give yourself another chance.

What is one thing you wish more people understood about being a young cancer survivor?

Cancer is a disease like any other, let’s not contagious, we don’t need to be handled like an egg, we don’t need to be excluded from parties, birthdays or other social issues if we have the strength and space to do so. We just want to live, without isolation or put on shades of care by loved ones-it’s overwhelming.

How would you describe yourself in three sentences? Give us a quick glimpse of who you are.

I am very emotional, I delight in sunshine, rain or snow up to my waist.

I love naturalness, simplicity and everything that comes from the soul.

I love physical activity in any form, I love mountains with infinite love – climbing is like a road I had to take to catch my breath and the peace of the infinite at the top – freedom !

What achievements are you most proud of so far? It can be anything – school, work or hobbies!

I am most proud of the crossfit training that is with me regularly. To be able to overcome my barriers / fears is heartening. I regularly have the opportunity to throw away whatever is weighing me down, it has given me a tremendous amount of motivation and desire to live this simple, free most ordinary life, it has given me a tremendous amount of good people around me who motivate me in every aspect of life, crossfit has helped me to set my limits and fight for myself,

I feel tremendous gratitude – Ms. Annie’s Foundation – today we are doing things we dreamed of 15 years ago! The projects that are coming up are amazing- the people who join are wonderful –  it makes us feel the energy and the motor for action.

How do you like to spend your free time? What are your favorite hobbies or activities?

I like activity, I don’t like to spend my free time doing nothing, from walking in the woods to swimming on a board !

If you could learn something new immediately, what would you want to learn?

Good speak englisch

What is the best advice you have ever received? Who gave it to you and how did it affect you?

“Żyj ! Nie bierz tego co nie Twoje, nie zatracaj się w przyszłości, ciesz się każdym dniem.” – “Live! Don’t take what’s not yours, don’t lose yourself in the future, enjoy every day” – from a friend – it gave me a completely different perspective on everything going on around me, it gave me freedom.

Do you have a life motto? What quote or saying inspires you the most?

„Nothing has changed except my attitude – therefore EVERYTHING has changed”.

What is on your dream list? Is there anything you dream about?

So that the actions I take give my loved ones and me what they need most. So that they can also benefit from it.

How do you relax? What helps you relax and de-stress?

Music, long walks with headphones, cycling, high-intensity training.

What defines you as a person? What qualities or values are most important to you?

Family, trust, support, determination, self-development, action in everything.

What are you most grateful for? What or who in your life makes you feel grateful?

To the people who have appeared in my life, who have been around for years and those who have been and gone-their stories are valuable clues to me, their words and deeds. All the memories with them are what shaped my character.

What makes your life meaningful? Is there something that gives your life a strong sense of purpose?

Personal development, I can’t imagine life without development, without investing in myself.

How do you cope when things get difficult? What is your strategy for dealing with challenges?

I gain distance, analyze what went wrong, why it is not as I would like or as it should be. Sometimes I take a step back and try again, sometimes another way.

What app do you use most often on your phone? Is there a particular app that you can’t live without?

I try to use my phone as little as possible in general- it’s a waste of our time.