A True Appreciation For The Pink Ribbon

Who knew that Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2008 would mean more to me than 2007. My 88 year old mother, Maxine, is a breast cancer survivor of one year. Last Sunday afternoon, out of the blue, she had a seizer and I immediately called 911. They took a CT scan and found a (very) small mass in her brain. How was I going to tell this wonderful woman that she was going to have to endure 10 radiation treatments and that she would lose all her hair (because they are using radiation on her entire head). She had already gone through so much and thought she was through the worst of it.

She has been very blessed because of her age and the type of cancer that she has (breast), she can take a little pill every day and it keeps the cancer from growing. That's it. That's all...and it seemed that life would go on as usual until last Sunday.

The wonderful doctors at the Cancer Center in Augusta, Maine told her that one cell must have gotten into her brain before they put her on the pill and it has taken all this time to get big enough to see (she had a CT scan in July and nothing showed up). Dr. Healey tells her that 90% of all people with this type of cancer in this location, at this size, never have a problem again after the radiation. I pray that he is correct.

When I told her she would lose her hair, her little eyes filled with tears but she was strong. It amazes me that even at 88 years old, women still care about such things. She said, "At least it's winter and I would wear a hat anyway when I go out."

Yesterday, after her treatment, we went to the Cancer Center Boutique and purchased three hats for her upcoming hair loss. My sister-in-law is coming tomorrow to give her a very short haircut so that it won't be quite so shocking for her. She will no longer be alone (although she insists on being in her own home, my two sisters and I take turns staying with her) and she will no longer be as independent as she once was, but we are praying that her strength will return and that she will be able to do some cooking...she loves to cook for her neighbors!

When I made 4 little pink ribbon knitting bags this month and listed them in honor of my mom and sister, who has just finished 6 1/2 weeks of radiation treatement, I never dreamed that they would end up meaning so much to me.

For those of you out there who have loved ones stricken with cancer of any kind or if you yourself are going through an ordeal like this one, know that there are people out there, like me, praying for you and wishing you well. I do pray every night for those who suffer from this disease and pray as well that a cure will soon follow.