It's been 20 years since my mom was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. I was 8 years old and still remember the very night she told me as she tucked me into bed.
She was 29 years old.
It's a bit unreal to me that in just over a year I, too will be that very age and just like her, with 2 small kids, a husband and a home to run. I simply can't imagine how overhwhelmed and scared she must have been at the time. Cancer.
Ugh. What an ugly word.
She never let that fear show to Megan and I. I remember gramcracker coming over to watch us while mom had her treatments. I remember her getting sick at times after those treatments. I remember her losing her hair. I remember her purchasing a wig and wearing it just once or twice. She was more into the turbins. :)
I remember her smile through it all. I remember her strength, her desire to beat it. To LIVE.
And I certainly remember that very moment in August she walked to me at just 8 years old with the biggest smile on her face while I was swimming at my aunt Kim's and said, "It's gone! I'm in remission!!"
I didn't really know what remission meant, but I knew it had to be good! To figure out just moments later what it all meant and that she beat it...that was a time that will never leave me. Knowing mom was as strong as I knew she always had been. She beat the crud out of that nasty cancer and nothing could ever bring her down.
Now, 20 years later and by the Grace of God, I am happy to say she is STILL in remission and is doing so, so well!
It's amazing to me that it's been 20 years. I am so thankful the Lord healed her and that she's here today. To be there for me as often as she has (just like she always has been) and to be such an awesome grandma to my sweet boys.
My mom.
The survivor.
And just last Friday, she attended Relay for Life for the very first time.
And walked the survivor lap for the very first time.
(Not the best photos, but I was trying to manage Liam in his stroller and was holding Grayson while he sat beside me on the fence-it was a bit tricky! Ha!)
But what matters is she was there. She's alive and healthy. And she deserved to take that lap! She rocks!
Thanks for all you do, mom. I love you and I am SO blessed to have you in my life. I am blessed to know your strength and positive attitude even in the not-so-easy moments of life.
