Living with Cancer
My Mum’s journey
So it’s been a strange few months in the Family home. It’s been filled with those kind of dramatic moments you’re used to seeing on the TV, where bad news follows bad news and you think “boy, it sure can’t get worse for them”, then shark jumps out the freakin’ water and eats the plane (go to Google and type it in).
My mother has always been the rock that held us all together. So it was no surprise that when she told us of her concerns in relation to a lump on her breast, we didn’t all react with cartwheels. One visit to the Royal Liverpool hospital turned into multiple visits, eventually resulting in surgery to remove what was thought to be a small grade one tumour. As the weeks passed following what we thought to be a relatively successful op, Mum was invited back for results where she was informed another operation would be necessary to remove further tumours in the breast & lymph node area.
Following a second operation in mid March, we anxiously awaited some positive news. Unfortunately, the cancer had plans on running those plans over. We were given the news that the cancer was still dotted around her breast and further therapy would be required. The cancer was now considered a stage 3 and followed with the word nobody wants to hear when associated with cancer…Chemotherapy.
A plan of 6 months therapy followed by a mastectomy was not easy to take, yet if you looked at my mums face, you’d think it was a chipped nail. “Gotta get on with it kid” she tells me. The 55 year old spring chicken is what I call her now, so much positivity overwhelms me. That said, it’s amazing how much a brave face is for everybody else, I feel like I’ve laughed more in these past 3 weeks with Mum than I have the past year.
Family is everything. Every time I heard that previously, I questioned its substance. My family was far from perfect, at least I thought. But at times like this, I look at how strong my Mother is and how helpful my Dad and brother are truly makes you value what you have. I’m lucky I have an extended family with my girlfriend and her extremely supportive family. They have had the unfortunate circumstance of cancer very recently in their family, like many others.
Now, while I know that my Mum isn’t the first to have cancer and the subsequent treatment nor, unfortunately, will she be the last however, I hope that anybody who reads this will be comfortable in sharing their story. Whether it’s yourself, a family member or a friend you should always be safe in the knowledge that it’s OK to talk about your situation. I know it’s easy to sit in your bubble and hide at times like these, but the bad times don’t last and you don’t have to let it feel like it’s a consistent negative area in your life. Look at the positivity of those around you and let it fill you full of happiness and adventure. Why not do things that you wouldn’t normally do? Blog your journey and share it with others, maybe your circumstances will help carry someone else over the line some day. All humans matter, that’s something none of us should forget.
Finally for my first entry, I can not stress the importance of having yourself checked for potential cancers or other forms of disease. Below is the link for the NHS website linking to breast cancer. However, it is essential both men and women always check themselves where necessary and if in doubt, visit your doctor. That judgment call could save your life.
Until the next…
