Sur5vor

Sur5vor is the license plate on my mother's car. Many people question its meaning, and today I'll share her story. October is famously known as breast cancer awareness month, and I have a personal connection to the pink ribbon as my mother is a breast cancer survivor.

My mother, Angela, discovered her cancer a year before I was born. Although I wasn't present to witness how it affected her, she has shared her experiences with my sister and me. Recently, I asked my mom to recount her battle with breast cancer.

She was 30 years old when diagnosed. As a nurse, she knows her body well and sought medical attention when she noticed something unusual in her breast. Initially, doctors didn't suspect anything serious, but after running tests, it came back as estrogen-receptive positive (DCIS breast cancer).

Due to the nature of its spread, she immediately underwent a complete mastectomy on the affected breast. She described the experience as "fast and furious" through six weeks of treatment and recovery. "My focus and goal was to stay positive and get the surgery done as soon as possible," she told me.

During her recovery, on October 31st, 2002, she discovered she was pregnant with her first child (me). This news reinforced her determination to stay positive and recover from a healthy pregnancy. Thankfully, I wasn't affected by her cancer and was born healthy.

My mom even had genetic testing done to ensure my sister and I didn't have a gene mutation that could increase our future risk of breast cancer. Fortunately, the results were negative.

"During my cancer journey, I always stayed positive," my mother said. "I not only reached out to resources but also became a resource for others undergoing their breast cancer journey."

October is crucial for raising awareness about breast cancer and supporting those affected by it. My mom is my biggest hero, someone I know possesses immense strength and courage. Don't forget all the strong and courageous women during this month, and think pink!