My story

Like many people in the world, I never thought I would deal directly with cancer and see its affects. But that all changed when my mother was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in 2010. Her diagnosis was quite surprising to both my family and I. It was a shock because my mother has never smoked, did drugs or even consumed alcohol.  It is something that appears to be completely random. Before my mother's diagnosis, she had been complaining of what appeared to be some sort of flu. (Which were the first noticeable signs that something was wrong.) I kept insisting for her to see a doctor but she refused. Finally after a year of struggling with this unknown illness, my mother finally relented and saw a doctor. After doing a full body scan, the doctor saw a very noticeable lemon sized tumor that had grown and was now consuming her left lung. Of course upon this discovery, the doctor asked that my mother be admitted for further examinations to confirm and drain her lung, which had become full of fluid. As a result she was having a great deal of trouble breathing.



Until that day, I really did not think of cancer. I really did not truly grasp its true meaning. Intellectually I understood what it meant. But in my day to day life it really meant this to me: "A terrible word meaning sickness or death, that is heard on the news, from friends, distant relatives and strangers on the street." Cancer was not something even conceivable in my world or reality. I simply felt too far removed from the disease. Now, I understand that this makes me out to be basically a selfish individual. Actually, I would have to greatly agree with this opinion. But really, how many of us are rushing to aid the innocent people in Africa or other parts of the world that are being slaughtered or starving to death. The sad truth is not many of us are at all, because we feel too far removed.



It is not until something tragic enters your life that you see it for what it truly is. In this case it is cancer. Now when you first actually hear the word Cancer and it actually really sticks, you really do become frightened. In my mother's case as soon as she told me her diagnosis, my thoughts where: "Oh no! My mother could or she is going to die. What can I do. I don't want my mom to die. Why is this happening?"



After her initial over night stay in the hospital my mother transferred to the University of California Los Angeles' Hospital.  There they did their own tests to confirm the other hospital's findings. After their series of tests, they also confirm her initial diagnosis. After which her Oncologist (A doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer related diseases.) recommended that my mother immediately begin chemotherapy. (Chemotherapy is defined as the treatment of disease by means of chemicals that have a specific toxic effect upon the disease-producing microorganismsor that selectively destroy cancerous tissue.)



For my mother this has begun a series of Chemotherapy treatments, that taken their toll on her, like other cancer patients. So in support of my mother and other cancer patients I have started this blog. In addition through this blog I hope to help others who are going through similar circumstances and maybe educate people about the different treatments and options that patients, their family and friends have.