Cancer Survivor Offers Hope to Children on Similar Journey

Cancer Survivor Offers Hope to Children on Similar Journey

By Eric Breier

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Monika Consunji transforms into her alter ego for one week every summer. She takes time off from her job at Cal State San Marcos, turns off her phone and becomes Mushu, the pint-sized Chinese dragon from the Disney movie "Mulan."

Developing an alias is standard for all counselors at Resident Oncology Camp. It offers privacy while counselors work with children who have had their lives upended by cancer.

Consunji picked Mushu as a nod to her Asian heritage, but the choice carries deeper significance.

"He is so bold, fierce and just really supportive," Consunji said. "He knows when to come in and help Mulan out and is just an underdog. I chose the name because of all of that, but it really has taught me so much more. Each year, I'm able to set my personal life aside and just be there for the kids. Mushu has provided me so much grit, motivation, protection and strength."

Resident Oncology Camp, part of the nonprofit Oncology and Kids, was developed for children affected by cancer to create memories, forge friendships and build the resiliency needed to heal. It's a mission that resonates with Consunji. Not only is she a cancer survivor herself, she attended Resident Oncology Camp from the time she was 7 until she turned 18.

Giving back to the camp that did so much for her is why Consunji takes a week off every summer from her job as a marketing specialist in the University Communications office.

"It's really special," she said. "Many of the counselors were once campers, and they truly want to bring back the magic that they felt as campers."

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Consunji was diagnosed with cancer when she was just 2 years old. She wasn't able to articulate the pain she was experiencing, but she was constantly crying and her stomach was hard as a rock. Doctors initially couldn't find anything wrong, but when the pain persisted, her parents took her back to the hospital and doctors discovered a tumor on one of her ovaries.

Although Consunji's cancer has a high survival rate, having one of her ovaries removed took an emotional toll on her family, and the repercussions are still felt more than two decades later.

"At a young age, the doctors were like, 'Hey, she's not going to be able to have kids, she's going to have complications,' " Consunji said. "Now that I'm in my 30s, as I'm thinking about family and the future, it's not the normal options."

Consunji had another cancer scare as an undergraduate student studying business administration at CSUSM (she'll become a double alumna in December when she completes her MBA).

When she was 21, Consunji started experiencing severe stomach pain. Doctors thought it might be a virus, but the pain persisted and her stomach started hardening, exactly what she had experienced as a toddler. A trip to the emergency room uncovered a large cyst on Consunji's remaining ovary. Though it was benign, it required removal of the ovary and caused Consunji to miss most of the semester.

"I kept my cancer and the cyst such a secret before I finally started to tell my close friends," she said. "I had so many low moments during that time of just anxiety and depression going through another major surgery."

Consunji confided in a friend she knew from Resident Oncology Camp about the emotional difficulties she was experiencing after having her second ovary removed. The friend told Consunji how she returned to the camp as a counselor and how helpful it had been, inspiring Consunji to give it a try.

Nearly 10 years after that conversation, Consunji continues to return to the camp each summer. It's free for campers thanks to donor support and grants, and Consunji is grateful that it continues to give children affected by cancer the same joy that it brought her.

"Camp helped me navigate all of those feelings," she said. "It helped me to feel OK in my own skin and celebrate that I have another chance at life. It also provided me a lot of humility and acceptance because you realize it's not just you and that there are people who have it worse than you. It helps you appreciate life a little bit more."

Oncology and Kids has provided free, year-round programs for ages 4 to 25 affected by cancer since 1983. Visit the Oncology and Kids websiteto learn more about its programs and support of children and families affected by cancer.

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