She tried to tell them the story behind the photos and the posts with her heart beating fast. Her colleagues could not stop talking about them as soon as they stumbled upon them. She knew that they did not harm her new role. Even so, her boss’s face remained devoid of emotion as he asked her to sit down. She could not afford to lose her job. After all, it meant everything to her! During the lowest points of her life, it was the only thing that made sense. The only thing she could do now was to listen to what he had to say…
She Just Passed The Chief Petty Officer Test When Her Colleagues Learned The Truth About Her
A Woman Called Kayla Rogers
At 33 years old, Kayla Rogers was just your average woman. She was outgoing, kind, hardworking, and fun. She had just tied the knot with the love of her life when things changed for her. You do not typically find people who have double lives, but it is rare when their two worlds collide. It just so happens that this was her specialty! For the longest time, she assumed that no one from work would learn of her secret…
A Woman Called Kayla Rogers
She Worked Very Hard
It took her six months to study and train for this. By the end of that period, she was prepared to take the U.S. Navy exam. She wanted to be promoted to chief petty officer, which was her dream position. It was a male-dominated profession, so she had to work very hard. The truth is that it is not at all easy to be a woman in the Navy. Often, she felt the need to work twice as hard as her male peers to show them that she could do what they did and more.
She Worked Very Hard
Feeling Ill At Ease
For some time now, she was feeling tension from her peers. There were times when she would enter a room and notice that the chatter stopped all of a sudden. Not only that, but some of them would get up and leave! At first, she tried to brush it off as mere paranoia. However, she noticed that it was not a one-off. She knew that there was something wrong, but what on earth could it possibly be?
Feeling Ill At Ease
The Day Of The Exam
As she drove to take the exam, Rogers wondered if they knew her secret. That would explain why they were acting like that. The mere thought of it made her feel like throwing up. She could not bear to think about it, especially not today of all days. She took a deep breath and tried to keep her mind on the exam. It took her four hours to complete.
The Day Of The Exam
Her Secret Was Out
Once she was done with the exam, she took a look at her answers to review them. However, it was hard for her to focus since she was struggling with focus. Her nerves could only handle so much. She rushed for the toilet and threw up. She tried to keep herself calm and felt eyes on her as she walked out of there. One of her colleagues asked if she was all right, but she could tell that he knew all about her secret.
Her Secret Was Out
A Dream Come True
For weeks, there was a knot in her stomach that won’t disappear. She tried to focus on her goal, which was to pass the exam. It should be enough once she hit this milestone. When she found out that she passed, she was thrilled. She would soon become a chief petty officer. At last, it felt like things were now falling into place. She was happy until she got to work the following day. Uh-oh. What now?
A Dream Come True
Time To Face The Music
Once she got to the base, Rogers was called in for a meeting. She had no clue what this was about, but her first instinct was to assume the worst. Based on the tone of her boss, it was serious. On her way to the meeting, she thought that someone must have shared the news. But what did this mean for her?
Time To Face The Music
Word Spread Quickly
It was exactly as she had in mind. A word about her personal life must have spread. They probably knew what she had been up to. No longer would she be able to separate the two different lives she tried so hard to keep apart. Her heart pounded against her chest as she started to explain the photos that they must have seen. They did not make her less eligible for the job, but she had no idea if they would agree.
Word Spread Quickly
It Was Everything To Her
Her boss asked her to sit down. Once she was seated, she started to talk about how much better she was doing now. Everything was in the past. Rogers was willing to do everything not to lose this job. It meant everything to her! She really wanted the new position, especially since it would help her move on from her past. However, she was surprised to hear what her boss had to say to her.
It Was Everything To Her
They Can Help
He got up and looked right at her. To her surprise, he told Rogers, “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this role. Everyone has a past. Everyone has their own stories of hardship. I certainly won’t hold this against you, and I’m just happy to hear things are looking up for you.” That was not all. “But in the future,” he shared, “Let us know. We can help!” What was he talking about?
They Can Help
Her Battle With Breast Cancer
When her colleagues saw the post on her private account, they were surprised to hear the truth. In the caption of the photo, she shared that she had breast cancer. Isn’t it amazing that she had to fight the disease while training and studying for a raise? Even though she did not hide it from her family and friends, she did not want her colleagues to know. She wanted to hide her personal battles from them.
Her Battle With Breast Cancer
Her Career Was Her Refuge
It was not easy to fight cancer. To her, the Navy was where she could escape from it and focus on the job at hand. Rogers did not want to share her condition because she did not think it was a huge deal. Also, she was afraid that they would give her a lot of time away because of it. If this happened, she knew that she would not get her dream job. She wanted to be a chief petty officer more than anything else.
Her Career Was Her Refuge
They Were Very Impressed
We are glad to hear that she was proven wrong. Her colleagues and bosses did not react badly at all. Neither did they pay her any special attention. On the contrary, her boss was amazed by the bravery that she displayed. It was awe-inspiring that she did everything she accomplished while undergoing chemotherapy. This was not the end of it all either. The story of the brave servicewoman soon spread!
They Were Very Impressed
Offering Her Support
It was not only about the physical effects of the disease either. There was also the mental health aspect of it. Her bosses wanted to be there and offer support to those who were facing various difficulties but wanted to serve no matter what. Kayla Rogers was a good example of these admirable and amazing people.
Offering Her Support
Also, A Mental Battle
After a couple of taxing months, she finally received the all-clear from her doctors. But it was not simply a physical fight for her. As you can imagine, it was also hard on her mental health. The diagnosis, as well as the appointments and treatments, took a toll on her. It is a good thing that she sought out help.
Also, A Mental Battle
Seeking Professional Help
It was a good thing that she had access to mental health services. With their help, she managed to get ready for the ups and downs that accompanied the disease. Her family and church served as her support system, but it was not the same. Luckily, her therapist helped her navigate the emotions that flooded her during this trying chapter of her life. Aside from that, he also offered her help with the test!
Seeking Professional Help
Suffering From Brain Fog
Those undergoing treatment often suffer from something called “chemo brain.” Your mental clarity falls victim to the chemicals that your body is subjected to. As you can imagine, this is far from ideal when you are going to take a test. Her therapist helped Rogers come up with tricks or systems to conquer this!
Suffering From Brain Fog
A Solid Support System
Rogers managed to come out of it strong, thanks to her lovely family and friends. Without them, what else would she fight for? They were always there for her whenever she had to undergo treatment. She could always call them whenever she needed words of encouragement. When she decided to shave her head, many people showed up to give her the support she needed. Her husband was there, of course.
A Solid Support System
Her Wonderful Husband
Isn’t it nice to hear that her husband was there beside her through all of it? When she wanted to shave her head, he joined her by also going bald. How sweet! People were glad to see that she was married to someone so supportive. Aside from him, the people from her church were also there to support her.
Her Wonderful Husband
The Faith To Fight
Kayla Rogers informed her boss that willpower was more than another part of her personality. The truth was that her congregation also shared her “this isn’t going to beat me” mentality. According to her, it is not a requirement to be spiritual. You need a big support system to keep you going.
The Faith To Fight
It Could Get Very Frustrating
As you can imagine, it was very difficult for her. There were times when her strength would crash down. This was not a sign of weakness at all. If you ask us, it was frustrating to go through something that was not your fault. It was just her bad luck. She had to deal with feelings of anxiety and depression. There was also a Greek myth that made for an excellent metaphor for her current situation…
It Could Get Very Frustrating
The Damocles Syndrome
The Greek myth goes that Damocles could not enjoy the banquet once he noticed a sword dangling above his head. This is a great way to describe the experience of cancer patients. The disease will take over your life to the point that it will be difficult to enjoy many things.
The Damocles Syndrome
She Overcame It
Kayla had something else to say about her experience. The support for cancer patients should not only be limited to those who are in active service. She hopes that this will also be true for veterans and even civilians. It is important to unite together. With this in mind, we can see that she is practicing what they learn in the military. She truly has the mindset of a servicewoman.
She Overcame It
Nothing Is Impossible
It has been nearly a year since then. Kayla Rogers and her husband are eagerly awaiting the birth of their baby. They shared the good news online almost an entire year after the first cancer diagnosis. “What the world says is nearly impossible, God says is possible,” her husband Grayson Rogers said.
Nothing Is Impossible