142 People Kaylie’s Healthy Return Junior Kaylie Dyniewski returns to campus and announces being cancer-free. While preparing to return to campus in fall 2024, Dyniewski felt moved to allow God to speak through her life’s story in new ways. While still away from campus, Dyniewski decided to run for the position of devotional director in her social club, unsure if she would be voted into the position. She ultimately stepped into this new role of leadership after being chosen by her fellow club members. “It was a really bad time and there were really bad days, but I think in the end God put that in my story for a reason,” Dyniewski said. “There’s so many ways that I’ve been able to use that here.” Another friend to Dyniewski, junior Kiersten Mehan, witnessed how Dyniewski’s story impacted her own life and the surrounding community. “She did classes while going to chemo,” Mehan said. “She was very resilient through that and she grew through that. I think that it strengthened mine and her relationship and her relationship with God. She just brings joy to anybody.” Her experience only strengthened her resolve, and she continued her educational pursuit of human biology. “Now I have been thinking a lot about pediatric oncology because it’s kind of a combination of everything I want,” Dyniewski said. “I think with my experience, it provides a unique perspective.” Although her return to campus looked different than previous semesters, Dyniewski was able to celebrate being cancer-free with her Harding community before reaching the midpoint of the fall semester. Written by Alaina Wolf I’m so lucky,” were the first words shared by junior Kaylie Dyniewski, a student diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma halfway through her sophomore year in fall 2023. Dyniewski found a tumor the size of a golf ball on her neck after returning to campus following Thanksgiving break. She took quick action and found herself back home in Texas with several intense medical appointments in the midst of finals week. After a nearly immediate and clear diagnosis, Dyniewski’s plan of a spring semester abroad screeched to a halt. Despite this heartbreaking news, connections abroad and in Searcy brought hope to Dyniewski while she undertook a full semester’s course load alongside her treatments. “I would get texts from not only people in my club, but just people around campus even if I didn’t know them,” Dyniewski said. “I would get at least 10 cards a day.” One of those dedicated to staying connected while navigating a tough season was junior Julia Lewis, who pledged to women’s social club Ju Go Ju with Dyniewski. Lewis, who planned to go abroad with Dyniewski, strove to find ways to include her during their months apart. “We would text her a lot,” Lewis said. “Every once in a while, we would call and send pictures and videos to her. I think that’s what was so good about our friendship. In all of the busyness and chaos, we would still find the time to text and catch up.” “ JOURNEY TO HEALTH On January 2, Dyniewski smiles with her parents at a weekly appointment. Dyniewski later annouced being cancer-free to her family and friends. Photos courtesy of Kaylie Dyniewski
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==