Cancer.
A word that brings shivers to anyone. Everyone has been affected in some way by this dreadful disease. I say ‘disease’ but the word just doesn’t seem to fit, to me that seems that someone has put themselves at risk or tried chance at getting it, when in truth it can capture anyone at anytime, transforming their own world and everyone they know.
Every year I run the race for life and each year I am more overwhelmed with the vast number of women there supporting each other and trying to fight back. I must confess I am not a fan of running (that’s putting it a little lightly!) but what spurs me on is every time I pass someone I get to read another persons sign on their back. I get a glimpse at the harsh reality that cancer brings. It affects grandparents, parents, siblings, friends and children. No one is safe. However, what surprises me most is that it brings me new purpose and sense of happiness. In the last 40 years cancer survival has doubled in the UK, people are more aware and educated on what symptoms to look for and strangers are coming together and showing their support and love for those suffering and those caring for them.
When I was 7 years old my mum was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. At the time I thought my little world was crumpling down around me too fast for me to ever pick up the pieces or hold them in place. I had only heard the word cancer related to death and so automatically assumed my mum had been given the card of death. My parents decided it was important for both my brother and me to understand fully what was going on and the reality of how it would affect us. We were taught the basic science of it and what different treatments did but we were never fooled into thinking that it would one day just disappear. Ovarian cancer is one of the hardest to detect and so unfortunately we did not find it early enough and my mother was told she had 3 months. She spent a week in hospital after her operation and started chemo. I was always aware of when she was going to hospital or even for a check up and when I was having a bad day my mum would hold me close and explain every worry I had multiple times till I understood. We dealt with her illness as a family, supporting one another and preparing for what life may throw at us. That is the main thing I believe that helped me through it. I was not treated as a kid who couldn’t understand, I was an equal and my feelings mattered just as much. The 3 months past and she was still with us, as many friends said ‘still fighting on’ but my mum never saw it as a fight, she once told my dad that it was not her battle with cancer, it was her journey. That truly represented who my mum was, a selfless woman who accepted life as it came and was determined to help. She did this by participating in many drug trials to help find a cure and some of those drugs are now being used today and saving lives.
Sadly, 3 days before my 13th birthday my mum passed away. However, this was after many loving, happy years supporting us through every day life. I wanted to write this blog to explain the little things I never fully understood as a child and share my journey of acceptance and finding peace. I wanted to keep the memories alive as they are what I treasure and feel blessed to have. There has not been a day in the last 4 years after her death that I have not thought of her and there never will be a day that I do not, but now when I think of her I am filled with happiness and warmth. Grief never leaves you but it is how you deal with it that makes you a stronger person, never expect it to go but use it to make the most of life.
Cancer is a highly misunderstood illness. Did you know that cancer cells are present, at virtually all times, in all human bodies? It’s a natural physical process that the body goes through on a daily basis: the creation of free radicals, cancer cells, and other toxic by-products. Normally our bodies eradicate and eliminate these as part of a healthy state of existence.
Check out the work of the late Dr. Hulda Clark. She developed an interesting (and apparently very effective) treatment for cancer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully written! Sorry about your loss. It’s great that you are helping others by running every year. All the best to you and your blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Very kind words x
LikeLike
Wow, I have no words to describe this but I can say I could relate in some way to what you talked about. My mom passed away, not of cancer, a month after I turned 11, I was left with mixed emotions but she was my mom. I agree with what you said towards the end, what matters is how you decide to deal with it. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for accepting what I write. Losing someone is different for everyone but I hope my blog will explain the way I dealt with it and hopefully relate to thing you may have felt. Would love to know what helped you and keep updated with how you are doing ☺️ it will be with us forever so we must stick together!x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I agree with you! Well, I think that this made me understand things better and faster. It made me focus on being better as a person for my younger brother because I wanted to become a role model for him and not give him an excuse to give up on things, also my family was and has always been really supportive! That is really sweet, and definitely, thank you! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Family is so important and having an older sibling there to talk to makes everything that little easier. It will always be hard but accepting it makes everything just a little less painful x
LikeLiked by 1 person
They certainly help us overcome things that may be tough on us or quite challenging to accept and move on, such as the loss of someone. I believe so as well. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish you all the best ☺️
LikeLike
Same to you!
Thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its v painful thr cancer,hope soneone finds cure fr it as fast as possible
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, no one deserves such an awful fate x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ya cant see people suffering like this,I thnk there s nthn worst than that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful post, and I’m so sorry for your loss 😔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, such kind words x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Strong post by a strong young lady. Keep your motivation and spirits high in light of her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Kind words x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its horrible i lost my mum 3 years ago x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry for your loss. If you need someone to talk to I am here x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you x
LikeLike