Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States. It will affect 1 in 8 women in the US.
My mom was diagnosed in 2013 with triple-negative breast cancer. This type of breast cancer is more aggressive and doesn’t have the genes for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor or Her2/neu. Triple-negative is more likely to reoccur in your bones, blood, lungs and liver. Therefore, it usually requires a more aggress treatment. My mom had to get three different types of chemotherapy and undergo radiation treatments. She displayed amazing strength and drive through her journey. I don’t think I ever saw her cry one time.
If anything, she was the one letting everyone else know that she would be okay. Her team of expert doctors never made her feel like she was dying so I don’t think my mom ever felt like she was. Instead of wearing a cap or a scarf over her bald head, my mom found a wig that looked just like her hair and wore it out in public. Her reasoning, “I don’t want people to look at me and think I’m dying because I’m not.” She would do her chemotherapy treatments for hours and go home and cook dinner for our family.
My mom is a 3-year survivor and doing great today. I truly believe my mom’s positive attitude is what got her through the toughest time of her life. I would love to encourage anyone battling cancer to be strong, courageous and keep a positive mindset. Don’t focus on the negatives.
Erin Adcock, Senior Student in the Lipscomb University Didactic Program in Dietetics
