I thought about posting the ad that says "F*&% You Cancer", but decided this one, although not quite as bold, is actually funnier & obviously less offensive ;-).Now go grab a kleenex & watch this one. Yep, after watching that for the first time, I'm typing with tears running down my cheeks.
Moms are supposed to be invincible, super-human, superhero's. So when one day out of the blue your mom tells you her doctor says she might have cancer, you think "no way, not my mom - she's wonder woman (sans the outfit)".
And then...you're sitting at work & look up to see your mom & brother walking towards you with tears in their eyes. You know the biopsy came back with bad news. It's cancer. My mom has cancer. Through the tears & hugs & words of "it's going ot be ok"...you think....how?, why?, what happens next?, "I'm glad the Dr's found it now instead of later", "Thank you Jon Huntsman for putting your cancer institute & hospital in our backyard", and you also wonder if it's faith or denial that is telling you everything will be alright. Cancer? Not my mom. My mom will live forever, because I CANT imagine life without her...and yet for the first time in my life I've had to think about that...she won't live forever. She WILL survive this cancer, but she won't live forever. And that makes me grateful for my knowledge that this life is not the end and families are forever. But right now, I am standing up to cancer & we as a family are going to kick the crap out of it. Truly, my mom is blessed, because the Dr's think her cancer is still in stage 1, which means surgery should get rid of it all.And so, on Thursday we're off to Hawaii. To enjoy 10 days in the sun, to eat good food, to relax, have fun & enjoy being together as a family. We'll all try to forget about what comes after Hawaii, but it will still be looming over our heads. Thursday, September 25th my mom will have surgery to remove the ugly cancer growing inside her. My mom has put on such a brave face since all this has happened, but I know it's scarier than she's letting on. I can't say what will happen after the surgery. I feel like that will be the end of the battle - the cancer will be in a lab being studied so a cure can be found, and my mom will be home recovering with lots of loving friends & family taking care of her. But the reality is, no one will know until we get to that point. And THAT is why finding a cure for cancer is so important. No one should have to go through this - too many people get cancer & too many people die from it. For every one person that gets cancer, it effects the lives of countless more.
I'm pretty sure we will add the Huntsman Cancer Foundation to our family's little list of non-profits we'll donate to in a heartbeat so we can give back just a little, in appreciation of how they've helped us.
I love you mom,
you are my hero!
you are my hero!
I understand about your F$%^ You Cancer statement. Until Steve's wife was diagnosed with cancer, I never understood how truly awful it is. I always felt bad for people with cancer, but when Catie was diagnosed, I was so angry at cancer. I never knew I could hate something that much. So, if you need to, say F#$% You Cancer.
ReplyDeleteI wish your mom the best, enjoy Hawaii; say a lot of prayers. She's got an incredible support system (your family) behind her.
Amy, I just saw this and am so touched I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes and so grateful you're my daughter. I promise it's not denial, it's faith that no matter what happens the Lord is in charge, I know we've learned this individually and collectively as a family. I love you too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lara, as I was typing this post, I actually thought about Catie & a few other people I know, or know through others, who have really had to fight for their lives & practically go through hell & back to survive, or to live as long as they could. It made me even more grateful & almost feel a bit guilty for complaining about the wimpy stage 1 (hopefully) that my mom has.
ReplyDeleteCancer is cancer. I've lost friends to cancer, and I've had friends survive cancer. No matter what form it is, it still is an awful disease. I do hope it is only Stage 1 and wish you, your mom, and your family the best.
ReplyDelete(By the way, my schedule finally cleared up to schedule lunch--but I will hold on it for awhile. Let me know when it would be good for you.)
Amy I've read this post now like 4 times and cried every time. cancer sucks and having a parent who is sick sucks... needless to say, you said exactly how i've felt for awhile, thanks so much for putting it into words. hope you are having a GREAT time in Hawaii.
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