If you're reading this, the title of this article must apply to you in one way or another. Maybe you're currently going through this, or maybe you've gone through it already.
All I can say is you're not alone.
I wish cancer was one of those 'one in a million' diseases, but unfortunately that will probably never be a reality. When I was in the 7th grade, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I'll never forget the day she came into my room, sat me on my bed and those horrifying words left her mouth. My world felt like it was coming to an end. The first thing that went through my head was how could something like this happen, not only to my mom, but to my family. I wish I could say I was one of those people who didn't blame themselves, but for the first few weeks, I spent basically all of my time doing just that. I would think that this is karma for mistakes I've made growing up. Blaming yourself doesn't help the situation at all. Looking back on it, I realize how selfish I was to even question how I would make it through this, when I was the one who was still 100 percent healthy.
I'm so lucky to be able to say that there was such a good support system surrounding my mom and my family. If my dad wasn't around, I'm not sure how we would've done it. It's such a shame how terrible times is what it sometimes takes to see true love. My dad was there through it all. I can't thank him enough because without him, I really think my mom might've given up. I also need to thank my friends and their families, who allowed me to stay with them whenever my mom was in surgery, or pick me up from school while my mom was undergoing chemotherapy. This helped maintain a little normality in my middle school years.
Seeing someone you love change so drastically and quickly, really takes a toll on your emotions. I think the most beautiful part is being able to still love them and not look at them any differently. My mom always had beautiful, voluminous, red hair and I didn't know what to expect when I realized that it soon would be gone. But all I can say is how beautiful baldness looked on her. The first day she shaved her head, we spent the entire day having a mini photo shoot in my living room. Those were some of the happy times. But of course those happy moments were outnumbered by the terrifying and traumatizing ones.
Cancer brings so much more to the table. It's not just a disease infecting someone's body. It comes along with emotions you didn't even know you had, thoughts you never want to think again and prayers you never imagined you'd have to make. All of these things fill up your brain and energy. The most important thing is to have is faith. Never give up on a person that you love and cherish. There may be no such thing as a cure for cancer, but there is such thing as a miracle.
My mom is now seven years cancer free and I am grateful every day.
