stories of strength: hannah’s mom.

Last week I mentioned how I’ll be sharing Stories Of Strength here on GML to go alongside the new Speakable Strength Collection, where 15% of each necklace purchased with be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Here’s the first story from GML reader Hannah, who has bravely fought alongside her mom throughout three cancer diagnoses.

Breast cancer has hit home way too many times. My mom has been diagnosed three different times, and each time was so different with the age I was. The first time she was diagnosed I was in the third grade. I was old enough to know she was sick, but not old enough to understand the depths of her sickness. She went through chemo and radiation. She was a fighter but was so very sick when I think back on it. I thank God for family and friends who would take care of us and come visit. I remember just praying for God to heal her. It was so scary not really knowing what was going to happen.

She fought hard and was cancer free for eight years, but then she found another lump. I was a junior in high school at this point. I knew exactly what was happening this time and thought she’ll be fine. I wasn’t super worried about it. I thought – she survived one time, and she’ll survive it again. This time around they did a double mastectomy and reconstruction with radiation. It was a hard surgery, but as I said - she’s a fighter and fought it even harder than before. She’s a survivor.

Then my world was rocked for the third time. In January 2012 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer again. I thought my world was over. She and I were closer than ever. She’s my best friend. I remember exactly where I was when she told me - the date, the time, what I was wearing and what my plans were for the rest of the weekend. I remember asking, “what? How? Why?” What was God trying to tell me or show me? I was pissed at everyone, including God.

I didn’t know where to turn. But the way my mom talked about it, I knew she was going to be okay. She had a peace about it when she talked. She is a rock star…I am so proud of her! But back to the stupid cancer.

She was diagnosed in January and the second week of February she had a double mastectomy for the second time. I remember sitting in the hospital eating breakfast just crying to my dad and sister. I was so scared. I hate cancer, I hated to see my mom suffering and I HATE hospitals. We had people coming to visit all day long. It was nice to see that people cared, but no one could understand what I was going through. Her surgery was about 4-6 hours long – it was the longest day ever.

When it was over her doctor came out and told us she got all the cancer out and that my mom was a rock star (which I already knew). She was in the hospital for two more days and then came home. It was so hard to see her suffer. I would drive back to my apartment from my parents house and cry, still asking “why?” A month later she started chemo. She had four chemo treatments and on her last one, the smile on her face was priceless. Three weeks later she turned 60!

When I look at my mom today I have so much respect and love for her I can barely take it. I will say it again - my mom is a rock star and a survivor - and I know that she couldn’t have gotten through her battle with cancer if it wasn’t for her faith.