'I know all of that stuff that I went through was for a reason. I want to get my story across to stay strong.'
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Several years ago, Sophia Linenberger was battling cancer — in a wheelchair and unable to walk.
On May 22, Sophia, 18, will join her fellow seniors at Thomas More Prep-Marian and walk across the stage to receive her diploma.
"It feels really good," Sophia said. "It feels really good to be out of my wheelchair. I get to walk normally. I'm really excited about that and graduation."
When she was a freshman, Sophia was diagnosed with a rare cancer, Ewing's sarcoma, which affected her spine. She lost her ability to walk in only five days.
"We didn't know if she would ever walk again," said her mother, Jenny Linenberger.
Today, Sophia is a two-time cancer survivor. She is in remission and will have her six-month check-up in June.
Sophia was able to return to school three to four days before COVID hit. Because of cancer treatment and the need to isolate herself due to COVID, she has had to complete almost all of her high school academics online.
The last time she was able to attend classes in person, she was using either a wheelchair or a walker.
She did extensive physical therapy to gain enough strength and coordination to walk unaided again.
"It was a lot of hard work," she said. "I just had to keep doing my exercises every day. I've been getting better, and I try to do more, so I continue to get better."
With permission from her doctor, Sophia was finally able to return back to school in person for the final weeks of classes last week.
TMP typically has sendoffs for students attending regional and state competitions. Sophia's mom, Jenny, conceived the idea of a "send-in" for Sophia as she returned to school.
Students lined the sidewalk outside of the school, as well as the halls, to welcome their school mate back to class.
She said she has enjoyed being with her friends again at school.
Sophia still wears a mask indoors and disinfects her desk between classes as a precaution against infections, including COVID.
"Since COVID, we've really been on guard," Jenny Linenberger said. "We're still on guard. She's had so much damage to her lungs from both treatments of radiation. That's where COVID goes to — the lungs.
"It's been hard, but I also knew it was probably best for her to do things that she needed to do with her friends for the last couple of weeks."
Tonight Sophia will also realize a dream that in the not-so-distant past she thought was impossible. She will attend her senior prom. She picked out a flowered dress with a blue top.
Being a part of a faith community through school and through her church has been very important to her and her family through the cancer battle, Sophia said.
Sophia Bible journals. She and her mother prayed and sprinkled holy water on her before each chemo treatment. Sophia clutched a cross during procedures, and she and her mom also carried a Mary statute when they traveled for treatment.
"I would definitely say faith has got us through," Jenny said. "God will always be there, but Mary has always been my go-to person because she had to endure so much. She was the strongest woman ever. I always prayed to her for strength."
"Give me strength to get through this and be strong for Sophia and positive for Sophia."
Sophia's cancer is not the only tragedy that the family has had to face in the last four years. Sophia's father, Stan, was diagnosed with cancer in February 2021. He has received treatment and is also now in remission.
Sophia has had extensive support not only from her peers and teachers at TMP, but from the community and beyond.
Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, met Sophia at a fundraiser for his foundation in 2019 in Kansas City. He has since worn a Sophia Strong wristband in support of Sophia.
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The Fort Hays State University football team has supported Sophia throughout her cancer journey. They hosted send-offs for her when she had to travel to Kansas City for treatment, and coach Chris Brown has invited Sophia to give his players pep talks, Jenny said.
"I would say the whole community of Hays ... they've supported us, They've stood behind us. They've given us prayers. They've helped us. The community of Hays is wonderful," Jenny said.
She and Sophia said they are thankful for everyone who has supported their family.
Sophia said she is looking forward to graduation day as a culmination of not only her school work but as a celebration of her triumph over cancer.
"It just means so much to me," she said, "because I worked so hard for this. I know all of that stuff that I went through was for a reason. I want to get my story across to stay strong. I'm just so excited that I will be able to walk across that stage.
"I'm just so thankful to God, because He's the one who got me through all of this."