At the time, she underwent emergency surgery to remove the large tumor in her cerebellum, before receiving weeks of radiation and chemotherapy treatments at Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center in Durham, North Carolina. Strahan underwent three brain surgeries in all.
“I lost a lot of weight during my treatments, which was bound to happen because my appetite was out and I was nauseous all the time,” she said.
Despite the physical and emotional toll it took on her health, looking back, Isabella shared what she would have done differently throughout.
“One thing I wish I did was move,” she said. “I know it’s super hard at times and I did not want to move, but I wish I just made myself walk, even 100 steps a day because I lost so much of my leg muscle.”
“It was not funny. It’s not fun to get back because I’m paying for it now trying to work out and everything. I’d tell myself, ‘Move. Move yourself. Drink a lot of water.’ All the health stuff.”
“At the beginning of my journey, I was not so positive. I only kind of thought about the worst things that could happen. And I think that’s pretty detrimental,” she said.
As a result, Isabella was able to connect with other cancer patients, students, or individuals tackling similar scenarios. The experience ultimately shifted her mindset.
“Always have a positive mindset and not shut yourself off like, ‘This is the end. Life is never gonna get better.’ I definitely was that person and now I’m trying to see how I can not be that person,” she added.
Since being back at USC, Isabella discussed her new dynamic, noting that readjusting was the most difficult part.
“It’s definitely interesting like now being back at school. Seeing all the friend groups that formed when I wasn’t there,” she said.
“Honestly, it’s an adjustment because, of course, I was gone for most of the year. I know a lot of people and a lot of people have met me. But we’re not super close, and that’s hardest part. Just kind of just kind of disappearing,”
