My oldest sister Diana was born thirteen years before I was. She married when I was in kindergarten so I don’t have an abundance of memories from when she lived at home. Fact is, we didn’t have a lot in common until I too married and had a family of my own. It was then that the years separating us in age all but disappeared.
When my daughter was diagnosed with a non-curable neuromuscular disease at age five, it was Diana that came to be with me. Every day for 5 weeks Diana was by my side at the hospital. She was there for me and for Britt. (She also kept Britt’s toenails & fingernails colorfully polished!)
Diana was a hero. Her goal in life seemed to be making people happy. She always had a joke that made everyone giggle. She always had a smile.
Diana was 45-years old when she was diagnosed with leukemia.
Within five short months she had succumbed to the disease. Diana was gone. I was devastated.
The wind was completely knocked out of me. I couldn’t breathe.
It was then that my hatred of cancer began. It was personal.
Cancer is an equal opportunity disease. It cares nothing of age, race or gender. It doesn’t give a hoot if you have a home or not; have money or not; have been healthy all your life or not. It could be waiting, just around the corner of time. Waiting to jump into our lives. Give us nightmares. I actually feel quite lucky that cancer didn’t shake my world until I was 32-years old. Way too many people have been affected by the nightmare of cancer while still a child, a teen, or whatever age. The statistics are heartbreaking.
David and I have partnered with Cancer Treatment Centers of America to learn what we can do to fight cancer and hopefully eliminate the broken hearts cancer is known to leave in its wake.
Did you know that February is National Cancer Prevention month? And did you know that there are more than 100 various types of cancers, including leukemia among them? I’d like to share a few facts specifically about breast cancer. I don’t want to scare anyone, but some of you may very well need to call your doctor to make appointments for an exam and mammogram.
- If we as women have a family history of breast cancer (mother, daughter, sister), we are almost twice as likely to develop the disease. We also have the option of discussing genetic testing with a doctor.
- If breast cancer is found and treated, 90% of us will be cancer-free after 5 years. These odds are in our favor!
- Those who are under the age of 50 should talk with your doctor about when to schedule your first mammogram.
I’ve had two mammograms in the last 10 months with results that weren’t ‘normal.’ In three weeks I have another mammogram, along with an ultra sound. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. I have no family history of breast cancer. None. And nonetheless, here I am, wondering what’s to come.
I’ve been doing research with Cancer Treatment Centers of America. The website is user friendly and so far has answered all my questions. Cancer Treatment Centers of America have a number of facilities located throughout the country. Their Care Teams follow what they call Patient Empowered Care which helps you get care quickly and conveniently. It decreases the stress of scheduling multiple appointments and ensures that doctors are communicating about your care. Patients get all of their information and questions answered in a single setting. The treatment is for the whole-body, including integrative services such as nutrition therapy, naturopathic medicine, pain management, mind-body medicine, spiritual support, and so much more. They take care of every detail of your visit, from gathering your medical records, to scheduling your appointments, to booking your travel and lodging.
At a fearful and stress filled time in life, Cancer Treatment Centers of America are there to help. To comfort and lend a smile, just like my sister Diana did for me.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of ‘Cancer Treatment Centers of America’ and ‘Mom Select’. The opinions and personal experiences are all mine.
Ruth says
I love you Cathi! I remember when Britt went through those weeks of diagnosis and treatment. You are my idol, your strength and testimony. Stay strong and keep your faith! I love you!💝
Brett Beyer says
Here in Utah, we have the Huntsman Cancer Institute, a hospital full of the bravest faces you’ll ever see. You are absolutely correct, Cancer is an equal opportunity son of a (expletive), and it breaks my heart to see so many little ones already fighting for their lives.
Not only was your post touching, it is inspiring. It’s something we can all get behind.
Bim says
Oh wow. Thank you for sharing such a powerful and personal story. I have seen what cancer does to families first hand. It doesn’t just eat up our loved ones, it eats up our hearts, as well.
Amy Desrosiers says
Aww, this is so sad. I also hate cancer, and wish there were cures that were made public…the kind that didn’t kill people and helped them to heal. Sorry for your loss!
Shauna Torres says
Ugh, I agree, I hate cancer. My FIL, who lives with us, has cancer and it tears us up watching what it is doing to him. He has been through a bone marrow transplant and gets Chemo shots weekly, for the rest of his life. I HATE CANCER
Jeni Hawkins says
The pain you have gone through….wow…my heart goes out to you! Blogging about it is really healing, I’m sure. Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Sherry Smith says
Cancer is scary. I lost my mother to lung cancer and I wasn’t able to be with her as often as I would have liked due to having to take care of my two kids while my husband was on a military deployment overseas. Then within 5 years of her passing I also lost 2 uncles to cancer. So I hate cancer as well and hope that they find a cure within my lifetime.
Tammi Roy says
Cancer is a terrible disease that almost everyone has been touched by in some way. I wish we could find a cure for it. We need to have more people working on a cure. I am so sorry you lost your Sister.
gingermommyrants says
It makes you feel helpless to watch a loved one suffer from Cancer. I pray they can find a cure in my lifetime. Thank you for sharing your powerful story.
Sabrina says
I’m so sorry that cancer has imposed itself on your life again! Best of luck!
Nancy Polanco says
Cancer can destroy so much. Thanks for sharing this, so powerful.