My story is about my mom. She was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer just weeks before my brothers wedding. She and dad decided not to tell anyone until after the big day. When I found out I was floored. Really? My mom sick? This can't be happening. She's too strong to be sick like this. Little did I know exactly how strong she was. After her diagnoses she was scheduled for a consult with her onocologist. He told her she needed to get her affairs in order because she only had 6 months to live. She looked him right in the eyes and asked "did God come to you and tell you I will die in 6 months? Who the hell are you to tell me how long I will live?!?" The dr thought it was just too much for her to take in, I mean who wouldn't be devastated at this news? My dad assured the dr that she was in her right mind and knew exactly what she was saying and feeling. After rounds with chemo and even a procedure where coils were wrapped around her tumors (the majority of her cancer had metastasized to her liver and was inoperable) she suffered myopathy and neuropathy but never gave up. The 6 months turned into a year then Two and three and right after her fourth year after diagnosis she passed. I don't know how I would ever react to news like my mom received but I sure hope I have the strength and fight she had. Even now she is my strength when life gets tough and I only can think what my mom did and what she would do and I pray for the strength she possessed.

Misty Bonner
Wellsburg, WV