The Breast Cancer Battle: Through the Eyes of a Daughter

Cancer was never something I thought would affect my family, but in July 2010 my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Within a few months after her diagnosis, my mom had to undergo a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
It was hard to accept that this was happening to her, but I knew we, as a family, would get through it; I had to be strong for her. She experienced the common side effects of cancer treatment. I watched her lose her hair, become very ill with the chemotherapy, and suffer painful burns from the radiation.
Of course there were many times at which I didn’t understand why this had to happen to me and my family, and why something so major had to affect such a loving, wonderful woman, but feeling sorry for myself was never going to cure her.
Suddenly the little things that had seemed important in life became less significant, and the health and wellness of my mom became priority.
My family and I decided to look at this as a learning experience. Nothing is ever guaranteed in life, so we decided to live our lives as best as we could, and love as much as we could.
Thankfully, after months of dreadful cancer treatment, it became clear that there were no signs of cancer left in her body. Having a good support system is truly the only way to stay positive during a difficult time, and without the love and support from our friends and family this experience would have been much harder.
Most importantly, this experience has made me appreciate my loved ones even more. I have always admired my mom, but experiencing her courage during her fight to beat breast cancer has made me truly admire her more.
It has been three years since the doctors told my mom she had breast cancer, and my family still remains closer than we were before the diagnosis. I am blessed to still have my mother in my life. She truly fights like a girl!
-Submitted by Nicole Underwood, 25, of Cape May Court House