I am an Otter: Grad student finishes final semester after cancer treatment

By Melissa Anderson

Leena Oh had her hands full working full-time when she joined the master’s program in Instructional Science and Technology in the School of Computing and Design in the College of Science. She said she had been working in the field for almost seven years at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey and decided to invest in a degree in the discipline.

In her first semester, she said something felt off and she wasn’t quite sure what it was. It would have been easy to ignore as a busy grad student who was also continuing to work full-time, but she checked in with a doctor. Following a mammogram, she received a diagnosis of breast cancer. She had none of the tell-tale signs of breast cancer, but said she had a pain she couldn’t explain.

“It was right during finals,” she said. “I just kept on doing everything I needed to do. But you have got to take care of yourself.”

Oh continued with her courses, and during spring break her second semester, she scheduled surgery. She explained her situation to her instructors who were supportive of her needs.

“I did a lot of planning ahead to stay on top of things before I went for my surgery,” she said. “Trying to finish things ahead of time.”

She turned in assignments early, or received extensions for a few items as she recovered from surgery. During the summer, she started radiation treatment five days a week for three weeks. The course of treatment coincided with summer classes.

“I had a lot of support from my family,” she said. “I was also able to work remotely much of the time, which really helped. My instructors were really supportive, too.”

Even though she has been working in the field for a while, the courses and instructors at Cal State Monterey Bay have helped her move forward, she said.

“The faculty in my organization [at work] lean on me for a lot of support, and having more skills in instructional design is helping me create products that they are happy with,” she said. 

The program pushed her to stretch herself and get out of her comfort zone while also helping her improve her leadership skills. Oh is in her final semester and is still getting back to a routine after completing her treatment in the summer. Her advice to others?

“Definitely take care of yourself and listen to what your body is telling you,” she said. “Reach out and let people know what you are going through so they can help to make accommodations.”

She said that asking for and accepting help can be difficult, but it makes a big difference.

“The support I received from my family, friends, fellow students and teammates at Monterey Bay Roller Derby has been essential to keeping up with my work and studies, while maintaining a positive outlook,” she said.

Oh said in the future she will get involved in supporting others, but for this Breast Cancer Awareness Month she just wants people to pay attention to their bodies. Meanwhile, she is excited to be finishing her degree and looking to the future.

Celebrate Your Identity at CSUMB

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