In 2004 my mom was diagnosed with cancer for a second (her first diagnosis was in 1996 which was breast cancer) right after my dad passed away. For 9 years she battled breast cancer mets that had spread to her lungs, spine, & brain. In those nine years myself and anyone else who knew my mom, saw determination and inspiration in her. She had often stated that she was not going to let cancer run her life and she was going to fight it till the end. In December 2013 she fell while taking out the trash and had to be hospitalized. I was able to be with her right away but my sisters had to come in from Georgia and Alabama (we live in Texas close to Houston) and my brother came back from his vacation.
My mom had developed osteomyelitis about a year ago in her spine and her doctors wanted to treat that before we proceeded with anything else. While she was in the hospital, my mom had an MRI done of her brain to see how her tumors were. It was then decided that there was nothing else the doctors could do for her. Her brain tumors continued to grow even after having a year of chemo treatments to shrink them.
While my mom was in the hospital I found a lump in my breast which was confirmed as stage 2a breast cancer. A week after I had my first treatment, my mother passed away on February 15, 2014. It is through her drive and determination that I know I will be able to beat my breast cancer. This will be a very difficult and trying journey for my family but we will get through this because of what she has taught us.
Alvin, TX
