Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Dignity Health. All opinions are my own.
Humankindness: My Heroine
The other day I was talking to someone about cancer. It seems to be a topic that comes up quite often nowadays. I see it in my Facebook feed all the time. I hear it far more than I care to and much more than I should. I have friends and family members fighting for their lives and I know some will win and some won’t be so fortunate. I learned something about cancer about 8 years ago that I will never, ever forget.
Your attitude and optimism is your best chance at life.
From the first time my mother told me that she had breast cancer I heard it in her voice. She wasn’t scared. To say she was optimistic is almost downplaying how confident she was that this too would pass. Her optimism and her attitude helped our entire family cope with this “temporary setback”. My mom never thought of breast cancer as a death sentence and I never once saw or heard her feeling beat down or feeling sorry for herself. Granted, how she reacted when alone was unknown to me, but her strength through her treatment was a source of inspiration to us all.
My mom is my heroine and I may not tell her enough, but I hope she knows that I look at her courage, her achievements, and her noble qualities and hope I can be half the woman she is. Her humankindness that she demonstrated and has shared with others since becoming cancer free has been inspiring. I believe her ability to empathize, to listen, to connect, and be selfless is something her mother taught her when she was diagnosed with cancer many years ago. Unfortunately, grandma’s outcome wasn’t life but it was a powerful testament on how to live.
Another thing my mother taught me was to be proactive about my health and to be regular with my mammograms. My mom has been breast cancer free for over 8 years now and thanks to regular screenings and optimistic, positive attitude I believe she will remain so.
Dignity Health is headquartered in San Francisco and is the 5th largest health system in the nature and the largest hospital provider in the State of California. Since 1986 they have believed these two pillars of humanity and kindness are the yin and yang of healing: powerful alone, but better together.
Awesome words….from an awesome girl…
That’s so amazing to hear that your mom has been breast cancer free for over 8 years now! It’s so important to get regular mammograms screenings <3
Your mom sounds like an amazing woman. I am lucky to know some breast cancer survivors myself. They are all so amazing and inspiring.
What an amazing woman! I do believe that our attitude does play an important part in recovery. And I also understand how hard it must be to keep that positive attitude when fighting cancer.
Wow, it’s great to have such an inspiring woman to look up to in your life. Praise God she’s alive and well and able to share her kindness with others.
So glad your mum is doing well – she sounds extremely wise, a wonderful woman to have in the family. I am sorry about your grandma though.
Human kindness is kind of like my heroin. When it comes to being nice, I seem to always be looking for a fix. Seriously though your mom is a champ and an amazing woman. I’ve never been hated by a better group of people.
My mother had breast cancer too. It’s wonderful to hear that your mom is doing well! Time for me to make an appt!
Your mom is quite the amazing woman. I can’t imagine the strength and fortitude it took to remain positive and upbeat throughout this process. So happy that she has been cancer free for so long.
The perfect word to describe your mom and many women who have cancer and are survivors now. It has come a long way from back in the day to now.
She sounds like an amazing person. I don’t think all people can approach it with such confidence as she did. She certainly does sound like a heroine. I’m glad she is now cancer free and able to share her story with others.
That is a beautiful story! My mom is my heroine too! It’s wonderful that both of you are so vigilant about regular mammograms- that’s such an important way to be proactive about your health!
What an inspiring story. Thank you for sharing.
I heard the news saying women do not have to do frequent mammograms anymore and I think that’s just the worse possible advice for doctors and patients.
I love how you encourages proactive care
I’m glad your mom is doing well! She sounds like a great person 🙂
Thank you so much for staring this story with us! Your mother sounds like an awesome human being!
This is absolutely amazing. Thank you for your sharing your story. And I love your mom’s confidence. So inspiring for those who may be dealing with something similar right now.
what a beautiful post ! i am really happy for your mom..she is a lady to admir..
Wow your mom sounds like an amazing lady! Thank you so much for sharing this personal story with all of us! It is great that you are talking about cancer and helping to spread awareness!
Your mother sounds like such an amazingly, brave person. I cannot imagine what it is like to go through this but I work in the medical field and see it every day! Spreading awareness is key!