I haven't experienced Breast Cancer myself, but I grew up with it. When I was 4, my mom was diagnosed. Being at that age, I didn't exactly understand everything that was going on, but I knew it was something that would change everything; I just had that feeling. I remember one day coming home from school and she had shaved her head. She looked entirely different and I remember being so afraid that she wasn't my mom and she was someone else. Of course, I got over that . I remember her getting sicker and sicker and having to go all over the state to get treatment and us four kids would have to stay with family. My oldest brother always was the strong one, taking care of us while they were away.
I remember the day exactly. I had woken up the normal time, and my mom wasn't in her usual place on the couch. I went into her room, and there she was with my dad. She called me over, her voice was no more than a whisper now and she said something I'll never forget. "I love you, I always will. I'll always be by your side with whatever you do. Remember that and always believe. I will always be here for you. I love you." I sat there as she slowly closed her eyes and slipped away. I don't think it's right to say she was defeated in her fight, she just looked so peaceful afterwards. She was free.
I think of her all the time now, nearly 12 years later, and I can feel her presence.
So for all of you fighting and for all of you supporting, thank you so much. You're the reason some people have survived. You're angels.
Rockford, MI
