Survivor

My mother was a breast cancer survivor. In July of 1997 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was just a month after I met John and I remember thinking...this is the best of times and the worst of times. I couldn't believe that I had finally found this wonderful man and knew just a month after I met him, I would spend my life with him. Then just one month later, I went to the doctor's office with my mother to learn of the results of her biopsy. It was that day that we heard her doctor tell us she had breast cancer. I think we were both literally in shock and had no idea what was ahead of her. After surgeries and a difficult recovery process, my mother went on to live a happy and healthy life. She walked down the aisle for my wedding just 15 months after her diagnosis. That was a wonderful sight for all of us.

One of the important things my family wanted others to know was that my mother did not die from cancer. She kicked cancer in the behind and walked away laughing at it! I am so proud of her for doing that and, of course, doing it with her typical strength and class. She modeled for my sisters and me the right way to handle difficulties and the unknown of what life hands you.

My mom was a survivor.