Ursuline grad soldiers through cancer to graduate with her class Saturday

YOUNGSTOWN

Five years ago, Aislinn Rubinic was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Saturday, she graduates with honors from Ursuline High School.

In between came surgery, hospital stays, chemotherapy treatments and lost hair for Aislinn – and tears and worry for her parents, Patrick and Jeannine Rubinic.

Aislinn missed most of eighth grade at St. Rose School in Girard and much of her freshman year at Ursuline, but she still managed to graduate on time.

“She was diagnosed the Tuesday before Thanksgiving in 2010,”

Patrick said.

Aislinn, then 13 and the oldest Rubinic child, had complained of being tired. Her parents suspected mononucleosis.

The family went to Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley in Boardman where, after a chest X-ray, a doctor told her parents that Aislinn had three masses in her chest. He believed it was cancer. Patrick and Jeannine didn’t want to tell Aislinn until doctors were sure.

An ambulance transported Aislinn to the Akron Children’s main facility for more tests, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma was confirmed.

Aislinn cried, but only once. Her mother says Aislinn keeps her emotions close.

“Even at 13, she was very self-aware and private,” Jeannine said. “She pulls in. That’s her personality.”

When her hair started to fall out shortly before Christmas because of the treatment, Aislinn took back some control. She wanted to shave it off.

“It was everywhere and it was driving me crazy,” she said.

Jeannine cut her daughter’s hair. Patrick used a razor to finish the job.

Aislinn adopted the attitude that the illness and the treatment were something she had to go through, Patrick said.

“Cancer really teaches you to put things in perspective,” Jeannine said.

Read more about her and her family's journey in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.