No One Fights Cancer Alone: Anna Lassiter Returns to the Court, Celebrates Senior Day After Leukemia Battle

The past few months have been very good to me. I dealt with some hospitalizations in the middle of the year which resulted in me finding out I was finishing chemo early in July.

This was a huge day for me because it was the day I was looking forward to for so many months. It also was the day it became solidified that I would be able to come back and finish my last semester at Piedmont in person.

I started school in August and told myself I would try to play tennis, as well. At first, it was a huge adjustment juggling doctors appointments, class, tennis, and any other obligations I had. But at the end of the day, I always try my hardest to remind myself that I am so lucky to be where I am, and these are the moments I missed when I was going through treatment.

I tried to not put too much pressure on myself for tennis because I told myself months before that if I got to return to tennis, I would stay thankful for the fact that I am able to be there and just have fun.

Being back on the court has been so fun and surreal to me because if you told me at the beginning of the year that I would be back at school playing tennis in August I would not have believed you. Playing doubles and winning a few matches with Lizzie has been so fun. I just try to focus on being grateful, having fun, and cherishing these moments.

I was very honored to play with Anna in her first match back. Not only was it a surreal experience, but we got a win out of it as well! Throughout my time at Piedmont, Anna has been my doubles partner for the large majority of my matches. Last semester, I missed Anna on and off the court. I was ecstatic to have my doubles partner back!

It was one of the most memorable moments in my coaching career to be able to watch her overcome so much adversity and then coming back to compete. People can read the story and think how hard it must be, but seeing it first hand, I don't know how she does it. I keep telling her weekly the results on the court don't matter, the fact you being back on the court, cancer free, wearing the Piedmont uniform is already the win.

She missed what was supposed to be her Senior Day last Spring and I know she was really looking forward to this one. The whole time I am speaking about her on Senior Day I am just trying to not cry and I know I can't look at her and or any of the other girls on the team because I knew they were crying. If I am going to be honest, I am not sure after she got her conference championship ring there was a dry eye in the tennis complex. 

Words cannot describe how proud I am of Anna and her resilience. When she sets her mind to something, it is going to get done. When she told me last spring that she wanted to come back to play tennis, I knew she was going to find a way to make it happen. She put her mind to it, and she made her return to tennis.

My degree is going to be in history and government (the government side is basically a political science degree). During the Spring and Summer semesters, I was able to do my classes online with the help of my advisor and my teachers. If I was ever not doing well, they were always very lenient and kind enough to allow me the time I needed until I could finish the assignments. I am very lucky to have had such great teachers. I would not have been able to finish either semester without the help and support of my advisor and teachers.

My teammates and coaches have been really helpful. I am so thankful to my coaches for not putting any pressure on me and allowing me to go at my own pace, and being understanding if I am not at peak physical performance. Trey is also always very understanding if I am struggling sometimes, and he always asks me what I feel most comfortable doing, which I am so grateful for.

My teammates are my best friends, and they have always been my support system. Survivorship is a weird and confusing time, and they are always so supportive of me if I ever need to talk about it or need that extra support.

President Criser and his wife Mrs. Kimberly Criser have also always been very supportive during my treatment. I am very thankful that I go to Piedmont during this time because Piedmont really cares about their students.

I still have a lot of various doctors appointments almost every week because it is important to make sure everything is good all the time. But, going forward, I am on surveillance, which means monthly labs and regular doctors appointments with my oncologist for the next five years. After five years, if I am still in remission, I will be considered to be cured.

For now, I am taking it day by day and not taking any days for granted. I try to fill my days with as much laughter and fun as possible. After I graduate, I am moving to Atlanta and going to try to find a job in the court system or a law office. I also really want to get a cat. I am going to miss Piedmont, especially knowing how much I missed it here when I was gone, but I am extremely excited for this next chapter of my life.

Honestly, as a coach how our team responded to this and the support they showed Anna made me prouder than any conference championship we have won so far.

I have learned that no matter how “small” the accomplishment is in the grand scheme of life, any accomplishment is something to celebrate. Anna has taught me that even on your worst days, there is always something worth being grateful for. She has been a constant reminder to me that the little things in life can be the most meaningful, and to hug your friends tight!