In November of 2017 I received what I thought was the worst news ever. My mother was diagnosed with non-small cell adenocarcinoma and it had spread from her lung to multiple places in her bones. The doctor told us that her treatment would be palliative care, and average expectancy was 18 months.
I did what any type A eldest child would do, and jumped into caregiver mode. I took notes at doctor appointments and asked all the questions my mom didn’t. I gave her two options for places to be treated and she chose to stick with the University of MN Masonic Cancer Center, this has proved to be an excellent decision. My mother has received amazing care, she is being treated with a daily targeted chemotherapy pill. Two of her tumors are completely gone and the rest held steady through 2024. Any one who sees my mom thinks she’s in complete remission, she still has her hair and enjoys attending her grandkids sporting events.
Due to my moms diagnosis and the cost of building during Covid, my parents now live with my husband and I. This was a big adjustment but it allowed me to flourish in my self-appointed caregiver role. I did finally feel okay with missing a few of her appointments due to how well she was doing. Everything was going along great, by the fall of 2023 I made a career change and became a Special Education teacher and started a Masters in Education program in January of 2024.
Fast forward to spring break and I was having a lovely visit with my daughter and her husband. For some reason I decided to do a self breast exam and that’s when my life changed. Because what I thought was just a fast growing cyst turned out to be so much more.
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