Thirteen years ago, I almost lost my mom. Three years ago, I lost my grandmother. Three months ago, I could have lost my sister on an operating table.
My family has a rare gene related to breast cancer that has not yet been found. The condition is virtually unresponsive to medicine, fights hard against chemotherapy and radiation and is extremely fast-growing.
My grandmother was 55 when she was diagnosed. We expected this diagnosis because her mother had breast cancer between the ages of 60 to 65.
When my grandmother turned 70, her doctors decided to stop treatment for the time being because it seemed to be doing more damage than good.
Five or six years later, she started going downhill again, so they restarted treatments. She fought and fought, but finally, at age 79, the cancer that had consumed her body won the battle.
When my mom was diagnosed, she was 45 years old. Women are usually diagnosed around this age, but what was different about her case is that her cancer was at a stage called “3-B.”
Cancer cells classified as 3-B have several different personality traits. They are in and under skin and cause swelling or an ulcer that can spread into nine auxiliary lymph nodes near the breastbone.
It was unusual that my mom was diagnosed with such advanced cancer at such a young age — and it only kept growing.
Then there is my sister Christin, who is 35. Before Christmas break, my sister called to say she had found a lump but that she felt it was probably nothing to worry about because it was so small.
A month later, in the first week of January, she said the tiny lump that was “nothing” had grown into an invasive tumor and had metastasized into tissue in both of her breasts.
On Feb. 13, she had a double mastectomy. Doctors found more than what they had thought was there.
Melana Monroe, my mother and the strongest woman I know, said cancer does not have to be a bad thing. It is truly a blessing in disguise.
“I wasn’t sad when Christin called me and told me what happened; I just wanted to hug her and let her know she wasn’t alone,” she said. “The Lord sends trials our way every day, and it is our opportunity to show our faith through love and support.”
People assume that when someone is sick all they need is to have things done for them. In reality, all people need is love, support and the faith to know that they are not alone.
In terms of fighting cancer, Union already has two teams signed up for this year’s Relay for Life event May 10-11 at Jackson Fairgrounds Park: the Union University Relay for Life team and the Lambda Chi Alpha Relay for Life team.
For more information, email Christi Young at CYoung@uu.edu or call her office in the School of Theology and Missions in Jennings at ext. 5987.
Cancer can strike anyone. I do not know anyone who has not been affected by cancer in some way. Whether it is a parent, sibling, grandparent or close friend, everyone has a story to share.
Chesney Monroe is a junior public relations major.
