In 1971, when my mother was diagnosed — cancer treatment was in its infancy. It was believed that the tumor spread as soon as ‘air hit it’ — so that surgery wasn’t always successful. In my mother’s case, she never had surgery. Now we know about how cancer ‘seeds’ and metastasizes to other sites. Back then — they were clueless. My mother got chemo (ie — mustard gas) right along side of radiation. When we buried her, my sisters & I had trouble finding a dress that would hide the radiation burns on her neck. Because back then — everyone expected an open casket. My mother lost half her body weight in the 3 months she battled the cancer. Cancer & quality of life are opposites on the spectrum of living.

Those were the learning years, though. I’m sure my mother would at least be pleased to know that her experience with her treatments led to the development current cancer therapies.

In the end, it all comes down to how badly you want to live. My mother had an 11-year-old and 3 grandkids. She was only 54 when diagnosed. She wanted to see how our stories turned out. So she fought. Even though it was a losing battle.

Not that it really matters — but my mother had never smoked a cigarette in her life.

Thanks for sharing your mother’s journey. It’s a horrible experience to live through — losing your mother to cancer. May you & yours have peace.