Today is World Cancer Day. 21 years ago August 12, cancer claimed
another victim. Cancer didn’t just claim
a faceless victim that day. On that day
I lost my mom to cancer. She was 51
years old when she died. She seemed so
full of life, so full of joy, and lit up my world. Sadly that day cancer doused her light
forever and part of me died with her.
She didn’t even last a year after the diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma, a
cancer that attacks the blood marrow. By
the time of diagnosis the disease had attacked her whole skeletal system. There was absolutely nothing that could be
done except to endure the pain and wait for death to come.
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Maybe if she had made going to the
doctor a priority, maybe if she was diligent in going for checkups, the dreaded
disease could have been contained and stopped before it spread so wildly out of
control. Maybe she would have stood a
chance. Just maybe I would still have my
mother and my kids would have had their grandma. World cancer day is all about spreading
awareness, promoting early detection, and getting ahead of the dreaded disease
before it claims another victim. It is
about research, learning even more, and dispelling the myths. It is about being informed. Only when we are informed, can we be
protected. Only then can we fight so
that maybe one more life can be saved and maybe, just maybe another won’t have
to endure the excruciating pain, sorrow, and aftermath of devastating loss.
Remember
cancer can be prevented.
Spread awareness and in doing so, give hope.
Cancer sucks a ton, but then some doctors, actually many, don't do much when you get a checkup anyway.
ReplyDeletePat, I have noticed that too about doctors. Cancer does suck and while I want more than anything to have hope I know for a fact that all treatment does at this point is to prolong the suffering instead of cure. If the cancer is contained, that is one thing. Once it begins to spread you are basically done. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments. ♥
DeleteSorry about your mother, Kathy.
ReplyDeleteI guess spreading awareness and keeping each other informed is the key to detecting the early symptoms.One must not b negligent of their health. take care.
Rainbow Hues, I have to admit that my mother's illness left me a little jaded about cancer and what the health professionals are able to do and not do. Miracles just don't happen. There is always hope that one day they will be able to cure more people. It has been long enough that I could write this with the hope that it might help someone else. That a cure might be found. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteOh, Kathy, my heart breaks for you. I hear in your words the incredible love you had/have for your mother, and the pain you all went through in losing her. I wish things could have been different, and that you could still have your Mom with you and she could still be a loving grandparent to your children.
ReplyDeleteLife takes so many fragile and unexpected turns. Some are welcome while others are simply knock-up-side-the-head-let-me-catch-my-breath moments. I can so identify with that, my friend.
Thank you for sharing your heart and soul in this post . . .
Martha, I am so pleased you enjoyed my post. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by, read my words, and leave such a kind comment! ♥
DeleteI had no idea your mom was so young when she passed away. Wow. :( Cancer is so cruel. My dad died of lung cancer 11 years ago this coming June. He was diagnosed in Feb. of 2003 and died 4 months later. So unfair.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, that is awful that he went so quick. You barely had time to grow used to the idea he had cancer and then he was gone. I am so sorry. Cancer doesn't discriminate and isn't kind. It sucks. So sorry for your loss. Thank you for stopping by and for sharing you experiences with loss and cancer here. ♥
DeleteI have lost an aunt and and uncle to Cancer. It is so cruel. It just takes away the people we love without pity. :( Hugs to you Kathy. <3
ReplyDeletejyothisdayout.com, it surely does. Hugs to you! Thank you for stopping by and for sharing your loss here. ♥
DeleteI'm really sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. This must've been such a difficult experience for you. I wish you comfort and peace as you think about your mother today.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, considering that at 24 years old I didn't think it was even possible to lose my mother to say it was a real eye opener is a vast understatement. Her death rocked me to my core. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteI know how much she meant to you, Kathy and I'm sorry your Mom had to suffer so. I'm glad you're speaking out about it - the more information that's out there the better. Can you believe that until I read the book I reviewed yesterday, I hadn't heard of myeloma. To think your Mom had it!
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs, Kathy. I know you're doing her proud.
Corinne, yes and no one probably knows just how much she suffered like I do. I took care of her and comforted her when she screamed at nights from the pain. I have known people since her death that had stem cell transplants and went into remission. That wasn't an option for my mom. By the time she was diagnosed, she was already on dialysis with complete renal failure. So she wasn't a candidate. They couldn't do radiation treatments because it wasn't localized, it was everywhere. They couldn't operate. There really was little they could do. She took a form of drug chemotherapy in pill form and they kept her supplied with liquid morphine for the pain. I had never heard of it before my mother and I wish I had never had to hear of it but I guess that is life. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteHugs, Kathy. Our family has lost three people to cancer over the last three years - due to sheer negligence and not thinking much about the symptoms when they occurred. I am so very sorry to hear about your Mom. I lost mine to a dreadful disease, too. I am glad you found the courage to write about it. I know how hard it is. Love you.
ReplyDeleteVidya, I don't think anyone wants to believe the symptoms they experience are anything. They want to believe it is nothing and it will pass. The last thing they want to do is rush to a doctor and be jerked around and play guinea pig while a bunch of medical professionals struggle to figure out if what you are experiencing is really anything. I am sorry for you loss Vidya and know how you feel. I used to feel that what point would it be to worry about cancer awareness now. After all, all the research in the world wouldn't bring my mom back but over time your view changes and that is why I simply had to write about this and bring awareness in the hopes that no one will have to endure what she did. Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteOh, Kathy ! This is so moving. I can sense the pain oozing out of the words, and I can imagine how different your world would've been, had she been with you. It is truly inspiring that you wrote about it for the world to know. That is really brave.
ReplyDeleteTake care :)
Sreeja, it was the difference between day and night. I have never really allowed myself to get that close to anyone again. The closest I have come is my husband and children. I am so pleased that you enjoyed my post. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments. ♥
DeleteSorry to hear.... I lost three persons from my family. And their agony and pain is the worst thing one could see... Hugs <3
ReplyDeleteSheethal, it surely is. My mom says the pain is worse than child birth. I can't even imagine. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteI am so sorry Kathy. Sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteIt is so brave of you to write this post.
Your Mum's really proud of you.
Do take care.
Nikhil, writing things like this and then answering the comments is heart wrenching. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear this, Kathy. And you are right. It's about staying informed and more importantly, being concerned.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, since both of my parents died fairly young I am a bit paranoid about my health. The only thing that holds me back from heading out to the doctor is lack of money. Even with insurance I often don't have the extra money for the co-pays and the tests so that is a big factor. Example: I have went for exactly one mammogram in my life because both of my grandmas had breast cancer. While there they literally tried to pull my boobs off. They couldn't figure it out with one mammogram(which my insurance paid 100%). No...they did about 4 before they figured out that I was perfectly fine. I had an astronomical bill for that which was simply ridiculous and bruised ouchy boobs for over a week. Decided I would take my chances. Thank you for stopping by and for your kind comments! ♥
DeleteSorry for your loss Kathy..My brother in law died of Leukemia 6 months back. He was just 42.:(
ReplyDeletepayal, so sorry to hear about your brother in law. That is terribly young. Cancer certainly doesn't discriminate. It takes all ages. So sorry for your loss. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments. ♥
DeleteHow sad that your mother passed away at such a young age. Cancer does suck. I am so blessed to be here ten years cancer free. BTW-I had just gotten a full physical before I was diagnosed. They had no idea I had lung cancer. The only reason they found it was by me going to ER for a panic attack, which I thought was a heart attack. The x-ray they gave me showed the nodule. Thanks for sharing this important message for World Cancer Day. Let's kick cancer's butt!
ReplyDeleteLaura, your comment proves that often going to the doctor doesn't help to detect cancer. It often takes a trip to the ER or when they are preparing you for something else that cancer is finally found. I am so glad they found yours. Cancer is scary. It would be so great if we could do away with it completely. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteLosing a loved one always hurts and in this case the question of maybe if she had gone for a routine check will always remain. I'm really sorry for your loss Kathy... When it comes to health negligence is criminal, we owe it to ourselves and our families to not neglect our health.
ReplyDeleteReshma, this is true. I want to be around to see my kids married and see my grand kids. I want to be there for all the things my mom missed. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your Mom, Kathy! I have lost my aunt to the Big C and even she was diagnosed at a very advanced stage. I believe awareness is the key and one should really not ignore any warning symptoms and regular check-ups are a must too! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteShilpa, I agree completely. Warning symptoms happen to give us a heads up to get checked out. Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comments! ♥
DeleteAshwini, good point!! Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments! ♥
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry about your Mom Kathy. As you know, I had my own run in with cancer and I truly did not have any symptoms. I was just tired.. I was never one to go to the dr. before my cancer but I can tell you now, I go to the dr. for a paper cut! Knowledge truly is power, especially when it comes to your health.
ReplyDeleteMimi, you are an inspiration and I probably follow your example and be a bit more diligent with my health than I am. Thank you for stopping by and for your comments! ♥
DeleteSo sorry for your loss Kathy. I lost my aunt to cancer 15 years ago. She was like a mom to me. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteSuzy, I don't think there is a soul that cancer hasn't stole someone dear from. So sorry to hear about your aunt. HUGS back! Thank you for stopping by to read and sharing your experiences! ♥
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