Having lost her own mother to breast cancer at a very young age, my mom was diligent, if not militant, about getting a mammogram EVERY year.

A couple of years ago, she noticed a little indent in her breast when she raised her arms.  She immediately went to her doctor, who did a manual breast exam.  He said there’s something there, but it doesn’t feel bad, and that she shouldn’t worry.  He then sent her to get a mammogram and an ultrasound.  The radiologist also clearly saw something there, but again, he didn’t think it looked bad.  The doctors did a needle biopsy which came back negative.  She got the all clear.  As a final precaution, the doctor decided that regardless of what it was, that it shouldn’t be there, so he performed a lumpectomy.

When my mom came back to the doctor’s office to have the stitches removed and discuss the findings about the lump, her life turned upside down.  I clearly remember receiving that phone call and not being able to do anything, paralyzed by the fear of losing my mom.

My mom, however, was not paralyzed.  She faced her diagnosis head on and showed me just how strong of a woman she truly is.

Mom went through five months of chemotherapy, from summer until the week of Christmas.  She had a double mastectomy in late winter.  At the time, her doctor told her that she could just have one breast removed and a few lymph nodes, but she decided to have both breasts removed.  After the surgery, we found out that the cancer had already spread to her other breast, as well as her lymph nodes.  After the surgery and before she even had a chance to heal completely, Mom started radiation.  Every day for five weeks, my mom endured the treatment, which left her body the color of a tomato and covered in blisters.

And now, she is a Survivor.  She lost weight, she lost hair, and she lost her physical strength.  But throughout this terrible journey, she never lost her spirit.  My mom is an inspiration and I am proud to walk in her honor.

But I can’t walk without your help.  Please consider making a donation to my Avon Walk for Breast Cancer fundraising campaign!  You can make the difference for someone today.