Sunday is the CIBC Run for the Cure. My Mom works for CIBC so I have always done the walk with her every year.
This year has new meaning as she was diagnosed with breast cancer in June.
The day she told me I was driving home from my best friend's house, having just celebrated her birthday with her, when my husband called me and asked if I had spoken to my Mom. I told him I hadn't and he suggested I call her since she had apparently been trying to reach me and even called my husband at work to find out where I was. I called her on my cell and she told me to pull over on the side of the road and I had to convince her to tell me what was going on then instead of waiting until I got home. I bawled and bawled until I couldn't see anymore and she begged me to wait until I had calmed down to get back on the road, so I did.
She asked me to be strong and positive for her because she needed nothing less.
On August 4th, the day before my 29th birthday, my Mom had a lumpectomy. We were so incredibly lucky that the cancer was found so early. It could have been so much worse (which is why I still cry thinking about it).
Now 8.5 weeks after the surgery, Mom is doing great! We found out the cancer was Stage 1. (I almost typed "only Stage 1" but realised that cancer is cancer and no Stage of it is unimportant).
Mom will undergo partial breast radiation in 3-4 weeks instead of a full breast radiation (which would take 5-6 weeks). A team of specialists reviewed Mom's case and agreed that the partial radiation was her best option.
On Sunday morning we will walk together; Mom, my sister, my sister's fiance, my neice, my husband, my son and I. We may cry because this time it hits closer to home and are so lucky and grateful that Mom is ok. I can't tell you how many times I prayed and cried and prayed. Thank you God for listening.
