My Mother, My Inspiration

Hi Ya'll

Well this month has started off pretty crazy!  Found a place to live, that fell through, had to find a new place, and moved into that new place within a week.  Thankfully we're starting to get settled in to our place, and now I can start relaxing and blogging again!  With a new place comes new projects, and I'm so excited to start them.

Even though this month is almost over, I'm sure that most of you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  This month has always been special to me because my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago, and has been a survivor for over 15 years.  My mom is a strong woman and has overcome some big struggles during her lifetime.  I have always looked up to her and I wish that I have her strength one day.

So here are a few little facts about my mom, and why I'm so proud and thankful to have her as my mom...

My mom & I on my wedding day.

She is the second oldest of 7 children.
She first took on the motherly role when she was a high school aged teenager, taking care of her younger siblings after her mother passed away (and her dad a few years later).
She married my dad when they were both 17.
My mom had her first child at 18.
Not only was my mom (and dad) the guardian of her younger siblings, but my parents also had their own children to raise.
She had 3 boys close together, and then she had me 16 years after the 3rd boy.
She was diagnosed with, and is a breast cancer survivor.
After working various jobs over the years, she went back to school and received her license to be a dental assistant.
One more thing that I think is awesome, her beautiful gray hair. (Although, she's passed some gray on to me already!!!)

My mom has done so many great things, and everything in her life has made her the great woman she is today.  I hope one day my future children will look to at me as being a strong woman like my mom.  Being a cancer survivor is another great accomplishment in my mom's life.  I don't remember all the details because I was so young.  But I remember knowing that my mom was sick, and she had to have surgery to get better.

The day she had surgery it seemed like my whole family was there in the hospital.  I remember everyone seemed sad and worried, and I think that was the first time I saw one of my brothers cry.  After the surgery I remember the days we'd pick my mom up from the hospital from her treatments.  Looking back on that time I now know that my mom was so lucky.  I've seen cancer treatments take a lot out of someone, but my mom different.  She didn't lose her hair, she wasn't weak, and she kept working and taking care of us through it all.

At the time of her fight I was too young to realize what a great thing being a cancer survivor is.  I know hate is a strong word, but cancer is mean and it's ugly and I hate it!  I'm so thankful to have my mom here today, and I can't imagine my life without her in it.  If my dad sees this post he may show it to my mother, so mom, I love you and thank you for being you!

I wrote this post because I'll participating in the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure with my mother today.  Haven't worked up to doing the 5k run yet, but hopefully one day.  I've been doing it for a couple years with my Aunt, but I'm excited because this is the first year that my mom has joined us.  So I will be there as this post goes live, and I'll try to get a pic of me and my mom (she's camera shy).

Thank you all for letting me share the story of my mother with you.  I hope you all have shared great memories with your mothers as well.  If you'd like, I'd love to hear how your mothers have impacted your lives!

Until next time...

Cancer Doesn't Discriminate

I know...I've been MIA again!  I love my readers and if you're still reading I'm so thankful you are sticking it out with me!

This is a post I've been meaning to write for a while, but was unsure of where to start.  Well today I found that extra push to write.  So today I am coming to you with an open heart, and ask that you forgive me if I ramble because this is a matter that is close to my heart.

Last night I found out that there is a three year old girl in my hometown who really needs prayer and support.  Her name is Abby and she has a rare form of brain cancer called Pineoblastoma.  It only took me a few moments of reading, and viewing pictures on the Angels For Abby Grace Facebook page to realize that she is an amazing little girl.  Among the first things I saw was a journal entry from Abby's father about a letter he sent out to his co-workers that was eventually shared with the community.  It reflected on a moment he had with Abby, a very touching moment that shows the pureness inside a child's heart.  Here is an excerpt from that letter. 

I had just changed a DVD for her and as I turned to return to my seat that is standing adjacent to the bed, she spoke softly. "You are not sick, are you, Daddy." It wasn't a question, just a plain statement of truth. I replied, "Yes, honey, I'm not sick." I knew what conversation was about to happen.
She continues, "Sister isn't sick, right?" "No, sister isn't sick," I answered. "Good. Sister is home?" she asks. "Yes, she is home with Mommy and Papa tonight." "Mommy and Papa aren't sick are they?" she worried. "No. They are good as well," I calmly explained. "That is good," she finishes with a relief. I inferred already what she was getting at. "But, I am sick, Daddy."
I didn't hesitate, and I held her hand and rubbed her bald head, "Yes, honey, you are sick." And without hesitation she whispered, "But I am going to get better because I have medicine, and I drink water, and I eat food." I smiled and comfortingly answered, "Yes, you are surely going to get better." And, proudly, as she always finishes one of these talks, "And my hair will grow back and my boo-boo in my head will go bye-bye."
She then looked down and noticed the Angels for Abby Grace bracelet that was around my wrist. She asked what it was. I told her that it is a special band that many people are wearing that remind them about her and that they are always thinking and praying for her. "My angels, Daddy?" "Yes, your angels honey. You have many, many angels out in this world right now who want you to get better real soon." After a small pause and a gentle smile, "That is wonderful, Daddy. Thank you to my angels. I love them." And with that, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

You can read that letter for yourself here.  My heart broke after reading this, but I also realized that this little girl has more hope and fight in her than some adults do.  I truly believe that some people were put on this earth to inspire and give others a sense of hope and strength; and I think she may be one of those people.  

I learned along time ago that cancer doesn't discriminate.  Young, old, white, black, male, or female; cancer affects everyone.  This is something that really hits home for me.  I've sat and watched my mother, uncles, grandmother, and cousin be hit with this awful disease.  I was very young when my mother was diagnosed with cancer and I just knew that something was wrong and she needed to have surgery.  I remember asking my mom a little later why they had to remove her breast, and she basically told me it was either that or I'd have no mom.  During her chemo and radiation she continued to work, cook, and do everything as normal.  And now that I understand what that means, I praise my mother and the strength she had.  She was lucky.  She didn't lose her hair, she didn't lose weight, and she wasn't weak.  Instead, she pulled the strength she had together and kept her hopes high.

In 2009 my mother's younger brother was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, and his battle was far worse than my mom's was.  I saw my uncle go from being very active to being pushed in a wheel chair because he was too weak to walk.  Within a couple of months he didn't look like my uncle anymore, it was hard to see him that way.  My family and I regularly participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, and my aunt decided to bring my uncle out to be with the whole family.  My uncle said that he wanted to do a lap around the track even though he was wheelchair bound.  So one of his friends pushed while myself and a few family members walked next to him.  My uncle and his friend talked, and I heard my uncle say that he was "not giving up."  In the moments following my uncle randomly grabbed my hand as I walked next to him, and it took everything in me to not cry in that moment.  Yet til this day I cry every time I think about it.  A couple months after that he was gone, but he fought til the very end and was surrounded by his family as he he went on to a better place.  

As much as it sucks, cancer is everywhere.  I hope that one day we will be able to say that it is a thing of the past.  So much heartbreak, but yet there are also many miracles that happen with cancer patients.  I hope these stories have brought some awareness to the good/bad side of cancer.  My heart goes out to the caretakers because they have to be the rock that doesn't break.  I hope every patient stays strong in their battle, because often times mental strength can help fight the physical.  And to those seeing others with this disease, I hope you pray, stay positive, be a comedian, and save your tears.

Until next time...