When I was
diagnosed with breast cancer, my gut reaction and first instinct was
for the protection of my two daughters. I would be a mess if I had to
watch my child suffer through cancer, gruelling treatments, and
uncertain future. With that in mind, I realize how difficult this
year must have been for my mother who watched, cared for me, and
never asked for anything in return. This is her story.
I found a
lump on my left breast last November. When I saw my doctor he found
two lumps. He and I weren't worried so I didn't tell Mom. He booked
me for a mammogram and an ultrasound. Because there was no apparent
need for concern my mother and I were expecting a routine mammogram
and a pleasant day of shopping and lunch. By the end of the two
procedures, a couple of hours had passed with Mom waiting on her own.
The technician left and the head nurse came in. She said that we
needed to do a biopsy right away. I asked her to go see Mom who had
been given no information. I received three biopsies: two for my
breast and one under my arm. Even without a diagnosis it was obvious
that things were not right. By now, several hours had passed. Mom had
been waiting all this time. I was a terrified nervous wreck. After I
could stand again the nurse took me to the quiet room where my mother
was waiting. As soon as I saw her I collapsed, buried my head in her
lap and bawled.
My
treatment consisted of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, tamoxifen.
Through this whole process, my mother has been beside me cheering me
on and helping out. She went to my doctors' appointments. She sat
with me during intravenous chemotherapy. She sent my dad to the house
one morning to make sure that I had woken up. She waited in emergency
for five hours because I had fainted. She (with my father) did a
tremendous amount of driving. We live out in the country so there are a lot of miles involved. She did extra driving just so that when I was
in london, I could still go out for the day. And when she wasn't
waiting or driving, she was doing. She brought home boxes of
groceries, cooked hot meals, did our laundry, sat with me, ran
errands, and bought prescriptions. She was the one who did whatever
was necessary so that everyone else could go on with school and work.
And here's
the kicker: not once has she suggested that this year was difficult
on her. I know there were nights when she didn't sleep because she
was worried but you'll never hear her complain. Always she maintained
a positive attitude, staying strong so I could lean on her. I would
be thrilled to see her receive public recognition for her
selflessness because she truly is an un-sung hero.
