When we think of superheroes, we usually associate the term "superhero" with Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, or maybe even The Flash. I had a different experience when it came to superheroes. Being a young adult, I have come to appreciate the real superheroes in this world, the people who make this world a better place. The real superhero is my mom.
Today, I attended an event called "St. Baldricks," which raises money for pediatric cancer within St. Jude's Children Hospital. A family friend shaved her head and, honestly, it was very nostalgic watching my mom's raw reaction to seeing someone shave their head. She choked up and started to cry. My mother battled cancer eight years ago and won. She didn't just have the option to shave her head to do a nice deed, she had to shave her head when undergoing chemotherapy after chunks of hair began to fall out in the shower.
Here's how the story went:
My grandmother, aka Mima, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer that later spread to her brain. That was in 2005. On September 12th, 2007, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. My Mima was just placed in Our Lady of Consolation, being watched, when my mom began undergoing procedures. My mom was caring for her family, living with breast cancer, and caring for my dying grandmother.
Despite the difficulty of watching her mother die of cancer while she was currently battling it, my mom would try so hard to show no mercy. On December 3rd, 2007, my Mima passed away. My mom had her first set of chemo the week before. It's truly scary to be a 10-year-old girl and watch your mom battle something that just killed your grandmother.
She makes everything that she does look so easy. The type of breast cancer that she had, triple-negative, gave her a very high chance for it to come back within five years. Eight years later, my mom remains my superhero. She is a fighter through and through. She cares deeply for anyone who comes into our lives and she gives back to those in need.
Now, my mom is the president of our local breast cancer coalition. My family has become extremely involved in helping not only breast cancer patients, but also in extending a hand to all women's cancer battles. We have done so many events to raise money for individuals who cannot afford services for treatment, for those who need a nanny to watch their children while they're at the hospital, or even for those who are driving to and from doctors appointments.
My father and I have now participated in two 35-mile walks and two half-marathons, with one more to come in June, all to spread awareness. Participating in parades and holding events to help those in need of help is what makes me so thankful to have an amazing mom.
She faces the one thing that changed everything for her. She could be bitter about it, have a negative outlook, or do nothing to help the community. She doesn't have to do anything that she does. She does it by choice, to give back to those who gave to her. She chooses to give back to those who gave her the strength to keep going when she was weak. Now, she's the powerhouse and I can honestly stay that I only pray that I can be just a little bit like my mom. It's people like her who make this world a better place. They're the superheroes of the world.
I am forever grateful for having you as my mother and, now, anyone who reads this will be able to have a glimpse of the superwoman who you actually are.
