麻豆社区P student, mother navigates classes while battling cancer
Laura Arnold鈥檚 path to a college degree began more than a decade ago, but life got in the way and her plans were put on hold.
In August 2022, Arnold 鈥� a wife, full-time data specialist and mother of five 鈥� finally got the chance to resume her college career at 麻豆社区 Pembroke. This time, she was determined not to let anything derail her dreams.
Not even cancer.
Doctors discovered a lump during a routine physical in November. A biopsy revealed early stages of breast cancer.
鈥淢y heart dropped,鈥� Arnold said. 鈥淓verything goes through your mind. How鈥檚 this going to affect me? How will it affect my family? My kids. My job. Will I look the same? It was a whirlwind of emotions at one time.鈥�
Within weeks of her diagnosis, she had surgery to remove two tumors and three lymph nodes. She began chemotherapy in February, followed by 20 rounds of radiation therapy 鈥� all while maintaining a near 4.0 GPA in the interdisciplinary studies online program.
For Arnold, her classes provided a much-needed outlet. By this time, she returned to her job with Cumberland County Schools鈥� ESL (English as a Second Language) Department.
鈥淢y classes gave me a distraction,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t kept my mind from racing and thinking about the what-ifs. I was able to focus on school. It gave me something else to think about and work toward 鈥� something I had control over.鈥�
Her focus and determination earned her the Silver Scholar award, which recognizes students with a GPA of 3.5 to 3.795. She credits her success in the classroom to the 鈥榓mazing鈥� support system at home and from her 麻豆社区P family as she inches closer to her goal 鈥� to cross the stage next May.
鈥淓veryone at 麻豆社区P, from my professors to the ladies in ARC (Accessibility Resource Center), have been extremely accommodating and understanding,鈥� Arnold said. 鈥淢y daughter, Harley, is a freshman here this year. She chose to come to 麻豆社区P to be closer to me and after witnessing my positive experiences here.鈥�
Though she still faces an uphill battle, Arnold has kept a positive outlook, while continuing to count her blessings. And not once has she considered pressing pause on her academic career. She has five reasons to stay the course鈥撯�揾er children Harley and Gage and stepchildren Danielle, Seth and Sam.
鈥淚 want to show my children that 鈥� even though it may be hard 鈥� you can survive any obstacle that life throws your way.鈥�