I’ve been dealing with severe illness in my family, and for myself for over 13 years now. I’d like to share some of it with you, to help you better understand.
To begin, my mom and I were both diagnosed with breast cancer at the same time(1 month apart, 13 years ago).
At the time, I was living in Texas and my mom, here in Florida. We went through it alone, yet together.
Upon her diagnosis, she was admitted to a hospital and underwent surgery for a mastectomy. She then went through 28 agonizing sessions of radiation treatment and ongoing, ( for years) chemotherapy sessions.
I, 1500 miles away went through a double mastectomy, the same 28 sessions of radiation, but opted NOT to go through the chemotherapy.
As time passed, mom’s cancer began to spread. It hit all her internal organs, went to her bones and ultimately, to her brain. Due to her weakened state from the ongoing chemotherapy, she was hospitalized on and off with pneumonia. It took it’s toll on her heart as well. She had to go in for open heart surgery and have her valves replaced.(Hers were being destroyed by the cancer). She was always weak, and sick. She lost her appetite, she lost 75 lbs, she lost her hair, she lost her fight.
The cancer finally was just too much for her to fight. It won, she(we) lost. It took 12 years of torture.
I on the other hand, had the same type of cancer. I had it in both breasts, but opted not to take chemotherapy. I lived with that decission, not knowing if I was doing the right thing or not. I went for my regular exams. First, every month, then every 3 months, then, twice a year and then it was once a year. Now I only go every other year .
My doctors have told me that there is no sign of cancer in me at all. There hasn’t been for many years.
I(and I may be wrong) attribute it to the fact that I* did* not have chemotherapy.
I can’t bring myself to understand how a poison, surging through your body can cure anything. It doesn’t have a mind to think and know where to go. It goes everywhere! Slowly destroying everything in it’s way!
After 13 years, my doctor says my prognosis is great. He says my body shows no signs of cancer ever being there.
Think about what I’ve said. Weigh it out. Make your own decisions.
Severe illness takes a great toll on everyone touched by it.
The memories never go away.