October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which holds a very special place in my heart.
My mom, Sofia, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1977 when she was 45 and I was 11. Although I was so young, I can recall the fear on my mom's face and the tears that accompanied the diagnosis. She proceeded to have a full mastectomy, followed by chemo and radiation. She would continue to go for check ups every 3 months, 6 months and eventually yearly. The doctors told her that the magic "5 year" mark would be when they would list her as "cancer free". Never did she make it to the 5 year. She was short a couple of months. Her second breast would be removed and the same routine would continue only this time her chemo was stronger. She was sick...very sick but she was strong and fought her way back.
The dreaded "5 year" mark would be in arms reach when the cancer metastasized to other parts of her body. Same routine...same outcome. After 20 years, I lost my best friend. The most wonderful, caring, gentle woman. We got 20 years with her and for that I was grateful. She was able to see her children marry and have grandchildren but she should still be here so see the grandchild that only knows her by the picture on my wall and point and say "that's my Yia Yia and I love her"
Cancer is not prejudiced. It doesn't care how old or how young you are, how rich or poor, what color your skin is, or whether you are male female.
I will be giving away a bracelet each week this month, and this is the first! All you have to do to enter is comment on this post between now and next Friday (10/8) at midnight. One comment per person, please. Winner will be chosen Saturday (10/9).
You are awesome!
ReplyDeleteYou are such an amazing woman, Cathy!!!
ReplyDelete:( I am sorry that Matsu didn't get to meet your mom.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! ...and so is the bracelet! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry breast cancer took your mommy :( It has affected our lives too. Both of my grandmas had it, but luckily they are survivors.
ReplyDeleteYou are one amazing lady!
ReplyDeleteBreat Cancer affects so many people of all ages. :( Your bracelet is a wonderful way to pay tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness! :)
ReplyDeleteHope this gets through. You are such an awesome woman and I am so proud and lucky to call you my friend!!!
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYour Mom sounds wonderful, I'm so sorry you lost her so young.
My cousin is a survivor, well so far, it hasn't been five years yet, if I happen to win, I will send it to her.
(lets try this again).
ReplyDeleteI bet your mom was as beautiful of a person as you are. I hope to someday meet you in person. I am so sorry that you have been affected by Breast Cancer. You know how I feel -Cancer Sucks.
Peppy
I'm so very sorry ((hugs))
ReplyDeletegod bless those fighting this terrible disease....
ReplyDeleteMelanie W
:( I'm so sorry for your loss, your Mum sounds like a strong beautiful lady...my Mum is my best friend and she had a scare a year ago, I cannot begin to imagine.
ReplyDelete<3 you
Lisa Miller
<3 Cathy
ReplyDeleteI am currently awaiting a biopsy appointment.
Beautiful story & bracelet! (wiping the tears from my eyes)
ReplyDeleteYour mom raised quite a remarkable woman! I have an aunt who is a 3 time survivor of breast cancer. Thank you for what you do!
ReplyDeleteCathy, my grandmother died from breast cancer long before I was born - my MIL has had a battle with breast cancer as well. Thank-you for bringing attention to something that affects so many of us. And thank you for your generous heart!
ReplyDeleteYour story touches my heart, I have an aunt who is more like a grandmother to me, and she is fighting her 4th round of breast cancer, she is now in her 70's, and I hope to have her around for many more years, but I understand the awfulness of being so close to the "cancer free" diagnosis and having it brutally ripped away. My heart goes out to you, I hope to see a cure for this in my lifetime. God bless you! I'm sure your mother is very proud and is smiling down on you.
ReplyDeleteyour an incredible artist and an incredible woman!
ReplyDeleteSuch a GORGEOUS bracelet, Cathy! WAY TO GO with spreading your LOVE around the world. I have an appt. to get my boobs squished next week - do so every year since I turned 40 - DO IT, WOMEN! Whoever wins this bracelet is going to be blessed & will therefore BE a blessing to others! WOOHOO! xoxoxoxoxoxx
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet is absolutely beautiful. I am so very sorry cancer took your Mother. It's such a horrible disease and affects way too many people, my Mother In Law included has had breast cancer. I hope and pray that oneday they will find a cure. This is a wonderful thing you are doing. Thank You!
ReplyDelete28 years ago, I lost my best friend and mentor from my job to breast cancer. She was my first encounter with cancer and since then, there have been way to many others that have fought this fight including my own mother... Whenever I can, I participate in cancer events, drive someone to a treatment, take them a meal, or stop by for just a visit. If I am selected for this bracelet, I will give it to a dear friend of my daughter who is now fighting the breast cancer battle! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnd you're just like her Cathy - <3.
ReplyDelete-April May June
Another gorgeous bracelet! Too many of us have been touched in one way or another by breast cancer. : ( I am having lunch tomorrow with a good friend who just had her last treatment about a month ago. As a child I would have never thought that I would have a friend at the age of 36 with breast cancer! Thanks for all you do to help with this cause and other wonderful causes!! <3
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bracelet. One of my aunts was a breast cancer survivor, but the cancer came back as bone cancer and she lost the fight in August. I also have another aunt that lost the battle in summer 2006.
ReplyDeleteCathy, reading your story brought tears to my eyes, as I am a breast cancer survivor of 4 1/2 years so far. Some days I feel like I was not to be alive, but I need to be here for my husband, children and grandchildren. My grandmother had breast cancer in 1962. I did not know it until about 1980. She acted so normal and never talked about it which I wished she did. She did pass away in 1988. Right now I have a niece in Australia that had a double mastectomy and now is going thru cheomo. Also my dr who I was a patient of hers for almost 15 years straight had cancer and finally did not beat it. She pasted on Feb 2010. I thought of her as a friend as well a dr. I'm sorry this is so long.
ReplyDeleteYou are so remarkable and I'm the one who ordered a bracelet from you and said that I am going to Boston in May 2011 and would love to meet you. Hugs
Terry Nelson
Oh Cathy, I'm sorry love. You are a amazing person. Simply amazing.
ReplyDeletexxoo
Brenda
(four daisies)
Thank you for sharing your story Cathy! (((HUGS))) MWAH!
ReplyDeleteCathy, I just love you. Everything that you are and more.
ReplyDeleteI have read the story of your mother's 20 year fight several times, and each time, I have tears in my eyes when I get to the part about Matthew. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteWow I am lucky in that my life has not been so strongly affected, but every story only motivates me to fight harder.
ReplyDeleteI love you Cathy. I am so sorry Matsu didn't get to meet his Yia Yia. I am so happy you had such a beautiful life with your mom and so sad that it ended so soon. HUGS!
ReplyDeleteCathy... Matthew does know is YiaYia, though not the way you wish he could, and i am quite certain that she knows him. xo sara and co.
ReplyDeleteIf only the world had more people like you Cathy. You're Mother was amazing to have created you.
ReplyDeleteLisaMc
Cathy, I really know how you feel. My mother didn't make it to the five year mark. We only found out it came back when she had a seizure.When her cancer metastasized it was in her brain, her forehead and long bones. They gave her 6 months and she lasted 9, she was a young 60 when she passed. There is nothing so brutal to live through than to see a love one have seizures, I would't wish is on my worse enemy. I miss my mom every single day. What makes the anniversary of her passing so unique is that she never got to see my brother come home healthy after having a heart transplant (he got 10 years to watch his children graduate high school). Watching two loved ones on the brink of death at the same time is difficult, especially when the death of a stranger leads to the recovery of one. My Randy also loves the grandmother he only knows through pictures and stories.
ReplyDeletethat is a gorgeous bracelet!
ReplyDeleteCathy, I'm so sorry your mom (and you) had to go through that. Hearing stories like yours makes me so proud of the career that I chose (Cancer Research) because I want to be able to help stop the suffering. ((HUGS))
ReplyDelete((HUGS)) I can't imagine , i am sure your mom is looking down on you and is so proud of the amazing mom you are to your 2 lucky boys.
ReplyDeleteMy husband lost his mom at a young age(12) it breaks my heart to think of people losing their parents so young
Absolutely beautiful...and the bracelet as well...this would be a great gift for my mom-in-law...a breast cancer survivor.
ReplyDeleteYour Mom lives on through you every single day. There is no doubt in my mind that your giving heart comes from her.
ReplyDeleteThis probably means so much to so many ppl that. I know it makes me think about my aunt that passed away. Thank you so much for supporting a great cause.
ReplyDeleteAwww... ^_^ I like this bracelet. Pink is always a good choice...
ReplyDeleteYou have a heart of gold, Cathy. <3
ReplyDeleteToo many people have had to suffer because of breast cancer...either fighting it themselves or loving someone who is fighting it. This bracelet is beautiful and is a wonderful way to support a great cause.
ReplyDeleteI am so inspired after reading your story, thank you for letting us into your life!! My aunt died from a brain turmor 3 years ago this Christmas, and prior to that she was diganosed with breast cancer (what a terrible disease). Linda Silva
ReplyDeletethanks for everything u do.. u are awesome
ReplyDeleterhainnon wooten
what a beautiful bracelet! you are doing your mom so proud by being such an amazing woman!!
ReplyDelete~Katrina Duggan
Oh Cathy, I just love you. You mom is looking over you and your family with so much pride now. I know that she was an amazing woman because her overwhelming love and beauty shine through you. Your life has clearly been shaped by her enormous heart as you are most definatley one of the most loving, caring, kind and generous women I have ever come to know in life. You amaze me. I am so so blessed to have you in my life. Love you so very much!
ReplyDeleteMary Gauvin
(((HUGS))) I have lost an Aunt to Breast cancer and my Mom grandma and another aunt have had it. I hope you realize how many people you have touched.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bracelet - and a lovely tribute. <3
ReplyDeleteI <3 you!! The bracelet is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteSo nice that you are doing this! Beautiful bracelet as always.
ReplyDeleteMy mom is fighting breast cancer right now. Your bracelet is awesome (and beautiful) as is your support of breast cancer awareness!
ReplyDeleteYou are an awesome, amazing woman. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! I would love to have one!
ReplyDeleteYou are an awesome woman...my aunt had breast cancer then ended up with brain cancer...she died three years ago...I miss her but I know she is no longer in pain and is God...you bracklets are wonderful...thanks for being you
ReplyDeleteThat is a BEAUTIFUL bracelet, and you are quite awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt is a very beautiful bracelet, I have passed the 5 year mark but always scared of it returning again. thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy, my grandma is a survivor but is going through it again right now. A dear friend lost her mom at about the same age you did, and I have THREE girlfriends in their 30s going through it right now, all mommies of young kids.
ReplyDeleteCathy.
ReplyDeleteTears form in my eyes everytime I read your story or anyone else's for that matter, when it comes to the devastation that this horrible disease brings. It's heartbreaking. However the awareness that just you alone have brought is amazing. Thank you from all women.
Thank you so much for sharing your story - my mom has just hit that 5 year mark this past winter. I'm so sorry you lost your mom :(
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bracelet!!! I love looking at all the you make.
ReplyDeleteYou know I love you and need not say more.........so glad your my friend.
ReplyDeleteCathy, this is such a wonderful thing for you to do. I am so sorry you lost your Mother to this horrible disease. Jamie Armbruster
ReplyDeleteyou are an awesome woman!
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome and amazing Cathy - you're awe-mazing!
ReplyDeleteYour story was very touching. Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman! Both of my grandmothers had breast cancer :( I was only about 9 or 10 when my first grandmother passed away. But I remember sooo much about her. She was a strong woman and a strong fighter. Her thought on life was that things need to be done, no time to stress over the things you can not controll. She was a beautiful and classy woman. I was in middle school when my other grandmother passed away. She was such a funny and carefree woman. Always doing what she could to make everyone enjoy the little things in life. She took it very hard when she heard the news that she had cancer. It kinda seemed like it broke her in a way. She was never the same again due to the cancer spreading soooo quickly. But I will never forget either of them. I miss them both more than life itself and wish that they both could of been here to meet my daughter so that she could meet the amazing women that i talk about :)
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer 4 years ago and then 2 years ago, pancreatic cancer. She has always been my second mother and had a big hand in raising me. She is still with us now, but lives far away, as my husband serves in our military. Everytime I see her I try to memorize everything about her and think will this be the last time? So sorry about your mom.
ReplyDeleteYou have a heart of GOLD Miss Cathy....I mean a heart of PINK! You're the best.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is breaking for you, so sorry you had to go through all that. Especially so young. As a mom of an 11 year old that story was so touching. O.k. I admit it, I'm still crying. Breast cancer runs in my family too. I had an Aunt who is a survivor of it. Also, my husband's stepmom had it and the doctors think it may have returned. Still waiting to hear on that. God Bless you and all that you do! Your bracelets are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss. My Mom is a breast cancer survivor. Beautiful bracelet.
ReplyDeletecancer is a horrible disease that hurts way to many good people. ((Cathy))
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bracelet! My Grandma is like my 2nd Mom. She helped raise me and my brother since my Mom was a single parent. She is a breast cancer survivor and currently in remission. My husband's step-mother is also a very dear woman in my life and she has also won the battle against this terrible disease. Thank you for bringing so much attention to raise awareness during the month of October!
ReplyDeleteCathy, thank you for sharing your story. I am no stranger to breast cancer, unfortunately. My aunt had it, my grandfather had it twice, my mom's cousin lost her battle with it, my very close friend had it and I visited her everyday and stuck with her during chemo and beyond. Another good friend lost her mother to it. The county I live in has the highest BC rate in America and possibly even the world.
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing light onto such a serious subject <3
Maya Weissensee
You are such a strong, caring, sweet person. I enjoy hearing from you daily
ReplyDelete-Kayla Page
Your mom had to be amazing, look at her daughter! Cathy, you are a very special person. Not many people have a heart like yours. I feel so blessed to know you, and have the honor of calling you my friend!
ReplyDeleteKendell Craycraft
I am so sorry for your loss but so proud of the person you became probably as a result of this tragedy! We go through these trials in life for a reason... you are "out there" saving others with your hope and inspiration. God has blessed you and will continue to do so.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who has been through so much in her short life. This weekend, she is awaiting biopsy results. I pray it's not breast cancer, and hope it turns out to be nothing. It's in God's hands. She is also here in this situation for a reason. Everyone should be so blessed to be able to learn what that purpose in life is. Some of us never find out. <3 Annette
Beautiful bracelet, very touching story!
ReplyDeleteWhen I get money I think I'm going to have to buy this bracelet. Question though, can you make it kids size, lol, yes I have a very small wrist lol.
ReplyDelete