Funding the Fight to Find a Cure

Every letter my mom sends has this stamp on it. She is a breast cancer survivor and funds the fight to find a cure. In 2000 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and fought the disease with strength and dignity and won the battle. Recently at her yearly check-up with her primary physician, he was concerned about irregularities on her back. The family knew from our immersion into breast cancer information in 2000 that breast cancer will sometimes go to the bone. She had a bone scan done, then a MRI. Finally an appointment at the Cancer Center in Coeur d' Alene was set up. Raymond Pert had already arrived in Kellogg and I drove down to join my brother and Mom to the appointment and try to be a second set of eyes and ears. In her own ways Mom demonstrated that she was rattled as we drove over Fourth of July Pass enroute to the Cancer Center. Entering the building brought back a flood of memories from the visits in 2000 when I accompanied Mom to her chemo treatments. It is tough when you sit in the waiting room knowing many of the people surrounding you are there for treatments or consultations about cancer.

When the doctor walked in the exam room his first words were, " Mary, you are cancer free in your back and neck." I felt relief. My brother wrote that one line on my notepad to ease the tension. The doctor went on to patiently and thoroughly show Mom her MRI pictures of her back and talk to her about what it was- arthritis. We left the room with lighter conversation. Mom's face was much more relaxed, and we could call our sister with good news.
Cancer free... two words I had waited a few weeks to hear. We headed over to Starbucks for a coffee drink to celebrate, did a little shopping, went to lunch and laughed despite the heat. Since she has been cancer free for seven years she was told that her chances of the cancer returning is only 5%. I like those odds!