On October 28, 2010 my big sister Mandy was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer and Bone Mets. She was 42 years old. She had been complaining about a pain in her hip for nearly 6 months by this point, I noticed she had lost some weight but I thought she was "trying" to. Our mom got ahold of me while I was at work to tell me-Mandy is in the hospital. I told her I was on my way. Mom then texted me "they found lesions on her spine and pelvis" and I replied, "it's cancer isn't it?" She said "yes". Our family is familiar with breast cancer. Our moms sister passed in the 1980's from it and our dads sister did in late 2000's.
When I entered the ER, Mandy was sitting on the bed smiling....yes smiling!!! So of course I had to "harass" her for dragging me out of work. Her skin had turned yellow and we weren't sure why. After the many tests doctors informed use that her bile duct had collapsed amd she would need a stent immediately. Within the next week she had her stent placed, her spine cemented due to the lesions. Doctors ordered 10 rounds of radiation on her pelvis but she had been in so much pain that they did the 10 rounds in 2 days. She went from having to walk with a walker, to using a cane and now she is off and "fast walking!"
She lost her hair within 6 weeks, right around my birthday. She cried, I cried. She told me that was the hardest part, I told her I would shave my head if she needed me to...I still would.
Through this journey I have seen my sister defy doctors expectations, I have seen her become a warrior. I have seen how a diagnosis becomes a families diagnosis. Not only does she fight this, we fight this. She is now able to fly to California when she has a weeks break from chemo--which is every 3 weeks! Live your life to the fullest!!!!
Farrell, PA
