Seven years ago my mom was diagnosed with cancer. It was detected late. So late in fact, the tumor was wrapped around one of her kidneys and killing it. Doctors surgically removed the tumor and her kidney. Over the next year or so she underwent some painful and sickening therapy that took its physical and emotional toll on her. My mom, true to her character, rarely let anyone know she was in pain or not feeling well.
Every year I get a text message from her that reads, “Cancer free since ’03.”
It took a while for her to acknowledge she’d had cancer. The sudden diagnosis and quick removal didn’t give her a lot of time to dwell on the gravity of the situation. One day she had cancer and the next she was recovering from surgery and it was gone. Similarly, she doesn’t see herself as a cancer survivor; she shuns the idea that she had anything at all to do with her recovery.
I like thinking of her as a cancer survivor. Or like Lance likes to call them, warriors. I feel like I wasn’t around to support her when it was hard, so I try to support others in her name.
When I read that Team Radio Shack were each riding for someone affected by cancer I wanted to get in on it. I ordered a few stickers for my bike to show my support for my mom, the cancer survivor, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. It’s a small gesture, but it’s something. And I’d like to ride the LIVESTRONG Challenge in Seattle next year. Anyone interested in joining my team? We’ll do the 100 mile ride.
This is cool man.
So sweet, M’ijo…reading it prior to going to my class in Baton Rouge…certainly a little teary-eyed. Thank you for doing this in support of cancer survivors. Your dad went through hell that year, he stuck closely by me. No one ever knows what goes on in one’s home….it was a rough year for us. Again, thank you. I love you!
Jake, I know you probably don’t remember but I worked with your mom. What a great tribute to her!!
Looks like a great blog. Cannot wait to explore it.
Nuce blog, Son. Please send me a stricker for my bike
thanks