I lost my maternal
grandmother to breast cancer in 1988. It was a loss that was felt deeply
by my family. We received another shocking blow about seven years later
when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
She decided to have a
lumpectomy and radiation. After the initial shock, I think we all had a
positive outlook.
She told me once, that the
reason she felt like she beat the cancer was that she refused to believe she
had cancer. You know, the mind is a powerful thing. My mother is also a
very spiritual woman. She has always been an inspiration to me and I have
aspired to be as good a mother to my children as I always felt she was to me.
Unfortunately, last year she was diagnosed with breast cancer again. The same breast, but they say it is a new cancer. My mother, sisters, and I spent some time together last year talking it over and discussing what we thought her options were. My mother decided to have another lumpectomy. At this point, she has decided against any further treatments. She is healthy and feels like living a healthy lifestyle is the best treatment at this point. We stand behind her decision. As a family we have learned that our time together is precious and we will cherish the time we have.
Kim
