fulloflife
By TERESA HAMMOND
L
et’s talk about cancer. As chance might have it, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I just happen to be a Breast Cancer Survivor. First learning of this new path I would journey down in April of 2020, the battle of Stage 3, Triple Negative Breast Cancer was an intense one. Eighteen months, an aggressive treatment plan and three surgeries later I am happy to say I am cancer free. I shared a bit of my journey in our last October issue of the 209 Magazine, as well as lessons learned along the way. Since that time however, there are varying things I’ve learned through this journey, which I find equally valuable to share as those shared previously. Hearing the words “it’s cancer” have a significant impact on not just the patient but those close to them as well. Through my journey I relied (still do) on a very strong tribe, as well as the love and support of my partner, children and our families. Love, laughter and support proved to be just as critical to my health as the prescribed treatment plan. An important fact, which I think needs more attention is the love and support needed for the loved ones as they walk the path with the patient up close and personal. Now granted, it did not help that we walked this journey during the time of a
In the big picture, I am well and over the moon grateful, but man it’s not been easy. worldwide pandemic; that presented its own challenges. For the most part when seen by friends and family, I looked “good” or “well.” My “nurses” however knew different. All days were not good days, some more mentally tough than physi209MAGAZINE.COM
FULL OF LIFE - FAB.indd 80
80
cally and they held me up all the way. Looking back what I realize is how much they needed people. While the attention tends to go to the patient, the nurses of the house are the true quiet warriors. They need the ears of those who love and care about them, they need the shoulders for those moments of uncertainty and fear and yes, even those moments of relief. The cancer path can be an emotional roller coaster you’re not properly prepared for. In the words of my radiation oncologist, often times things happen so fast for the families they don’t even completely recognize what they’re battling until well into treatment. For me, this held much truth. Upon hearing the results of my most recent Pet Scan and learning we could indeed say “Cancer free,” I asked both of my children what the hardest part was of mom having cancer. My daughter (now 14) openly shared how upsetting it was for her the first time she saw me weak. A moment during my treatment when a blood transfusion was needed as my hemoglobin had fallen dangerously low. Seeing mom unable to get out of bed, in need of her care for a change, well; that hits hard. This brings me to the new “unknown” until you walk the path. Coming out on the other side of cancer treatment does something to you. For me personally,
OC TOBER/NOVEMBER 2021
9/29/2021 11:51:14 AM
