I remember the first time my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as the second, and finally, the third. The first two diagnosis’ were successfully treated but not cured because remember, cancer can never be cured. Unfortunately for my grandmother, she would pass before a cure would be available for those who become infected with breast cancer or those who already are infected by it. I remember her last remission and despite the fact that her cancer was killing her, she never ever let it show. She fought until she just didn’t want to anymore. Towards the end though she started to lose her appetite, became immobile, and her organs began to fail.
It was Easter day of 2008 and I remember my mother receiving a phone call that my grandmother was admitted into the hospital for a nosebleed. I recall thinking that it must have been serious considering that she’s gotten nosebleeds several times before due to her chemo therapy and radiation sessions. The next day, the entire immediate family was located in the waiting room of the ICU patiently taking turns to visit her. I remember walking into her room and I couldn’t help but begin to cry. Seeing someone you love so much in that deteriorating state with tubes sticking out of every inch of their body, makes you feel helpless and hopeless. I remember her looking at me, with her crooked and droopy face from her stroke and scolded at me, “Don’t cry”. I was just astonished that she wouldn’t let anyone give her sympathy because she didn’t want it. She accepted her fate and wanted everyone else to as well. But that’s my grandma for you though, even though she was dying, she still had to put others first before her. She looked so frail but still managed to comfort me; I can’t even remember telling her “I love you” like I always had every day of my life before then but I know she told me. That was the last time I saw her alive.
On March 28th of 2008, my grandmother died. I remember being in my aunt’s car with my cousins, brother and uncle when they received the phone call. I had a cosmic connection with my grandmother and when she died, I just knew. I felt it. I stayed composed in front of them because I didn’t want to seem weak. I remember that night, I had made plans to sleep over a friend’s house, which I did. We stayed up laughing all night and I remember jokingly telling her, “Don’t freak out if you hear me crying in my sleep, my grandma just died” trying to make light of the situation. I remember feeling extremely guilty the next day for not mourning for her the night of her death. I was sitting in a restaurant with my immediate family and I just started crying, I was hysterical and making a scene and my mom yelled at me to go into the car to handle myself. It was my stepdad who came out to comfort me; he lost his father to cancer when he was younger so he knew my pain, my sadness, my grief. We cried together and it was in that moment that I finally accepted her death. It was necessary to express my grief with someone who had gone through the same exact situation that I had in order for me to deal with it.
A few weeks after her burial had gone by and then an influx of notices of donations to the Susan G. Komen Foundation arrived in our mailbox. I had briefly heard about the SGK Foundation but I didn’t know how global it was. If you don’t know, the Susan G. Komen Foundation was created in honor of Susan G. Komen herself; she had succumbed to cancer and her dying wish was for her sister to find the cure for breast cancer. Since the start of the foundation, here is what has been achieved so far:
Since 1982, Komen has played a critical role in every major advance in the fight against breast cancer – transforming how the world talks about and treats this disease and helping to turn millions of breast cancer patients into breast cancer survivors. We are proud of our contribution to some real victories:
- More early detection and effective treatment– Currently, about 70 percent of women 40 and older receive regular mammograms, the single most effective screening tool to find breast cancer early. Since 1990, early detection and effective treatment have resulted in a 33 percent decline in breast cancer mortality in the U.S.
- More hope – In 1980, the 5-year relative survival rate for women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer (cancer confined to the breast) was about 74 percent. Today, that number is 98 percent.
- More research – The federal government now devotes more than $850 million each year to breast cancer research, treatment and prevention (compared to $30 million in 1982).
- More survivors – Currently, there are about 3 million breast cancers survivors, the largest group of cancer survivors in the U.S.
(2013 Susan G. Komen®)
Anyone who knows someone with breast cancer, any type of cancer really, knows how critical it is to support the hunt for the cure and to prevent breast cancer as quickly as possible. To remember those who fight, fought, won or lost their battle to breast cancer, check for lumps monthly, walk in a Susan G. Komen race or contribute to their foundation, and most importantly, acknowledge the disease in a positive manner. In honor of those who survived or died from breast cancer, wear pink at least once during the month of October. It’s you and me that have made breast cancer so incredibly important today.
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