There’s no one that I know that is more deserving of something life changing than my precious Mama. She is the most remarkable woman that I know. She has taught me to always love the Lord and to put him first in life and to be a very strong, independent woman. Her sacrifices in life have made me the person that I am today, and I am forever indebted to her.
Last year she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Lung Cancer. (Adenocarcinoma) After months of chemotherapy and radiation we heard those magical words every cancer patient yearns to hear, “You’re in remission.” She was in remission for 7 months, and when she went in for her routine scans a few months ago, they found a new small growth in her lung. She has been on a new type of Chemotherapy and she’s had a severe allergic reaction. She’s on steroids to clear up the inflammation of her psoriasis that it has caused, and they have had to take her off of the treatment. She has been through so much it is unreal. However, my mom has maintained her faith in Jesus, and has a positive attitude even on her worst days.
She’s a supervisor in the cafeteria, Morrison’s, at Shands at Lake Shore Hospital and she has continued to work Full Time during her treatment. She is the most selfless woman on earth. Everyone that meets her loves her because she’s such a special, loving, caring person who is always quick to help in any way possible. The light of the Lord truly shines through her each and every day in every way. I’m so blessed that God chose her to be my Mama. I wish I could take all this heartache and pain away from her. I would trade spots with her in a heartbeat just so she can get some relief.
My whole life my mom has worked so hard and struggled to make ends meet to provide for my sister and I as a single mom. My parents divorced when I was 5 years old. She worked as a waitress throughout my childhood to make sure my sister and I were well taken care of, and she did an amazing job raising us all on her own. My mom has and always has been a nurturer and a giver. She deserves something good in spite of all she’s been through.
My mom has been the sole caregiver of my grandmother since my grandfather died in 1998. She has done all of her grocery shopping, taken her to her Doctor’s appointments, and has just been there for her. My mom is the second youngest of 5 children. However, she is the only one who supports my grams not only financially, but mentally and emotionally. They both decided a couple of years ago that it would be best if they moved in with one another so that my mom could be there 24/7 for her. My mom has cancer, works a full time job, and takes care of her mom. She is the epitome of love and dedication. I just love her with all of my heart. She would do anything for anyone, and it would be so amazing if you could bless her life with something meaningful.
She has dentures, and just recently the front tooth has chipped. When working in the public where you talk to people all day long, smiling and so forth, it really does make you feel insecure when your teeth are not as they should be. A smile makeover would make her feel so much better about herself. When we look good, we feel good.
I am currently a Certified Nursing Assistant, and I am furthering my education to become a Registered Nurse. Once I start making more money I will definitely be taking a lot of her financial burden off of her. First and foremost, I want to build a house with a mom suite where I can have her live with my family and me, so I can show her the love that she has always shown me, and her own mom and take care of her and her needs for once. I just wish that I could take care of her every need, so that the only thing that she ever has to worry about is what she wants to do with her day, or where she wants to travel to.
She loves Barbara Streisand, and her dream has always been to see her in concert. Unfortunately, she no longer does them as far as I know. What breaks my heart most for my mom is that she isn’t able to sing along with Barbara like she once was able to because the cancer, chemotherapy, and radiation has affected her so much. It hurts her, and it hurts me even more so for her. Plus, I miss hearing my mom’s angelic singing voice. She used to make me tear up with her beautiful voice. I miss singing Barbara Streisand with her in the car, and harmonizing so in sync with her. You never truly realize what you have in life until it’s gone. It’s the little things that I used to enjoy most with my mom that cancer has stolen from us. She is my rock. I don’t know what I would do, or where I would be in life if it was not for her and all of her selfless sacrifices for me. She is absolutely, without a doubt, the most deserving person of a life changing experience.
She’s not only an amazing daughter, mother, sister, and friend. She’s the most amazing Gammy in the world. I have a 7 year old daughter, Kaidance, and my sister has an 8 year old son, Gavyn, and his sister Adalyn is 3 years old. They are the light of my mom’s life, and she is the light of theirs. There is nothing that she wouldn’t do for those babies. She is the best Gammy ever, and they love her dearly. We are all truly blessed to have my mom in our lives. Kaidance says, “Gammy’s love is the best love.”
I pray that the Lord blesses each and every person, and their families struggling with the pain that cancer causes. You never think that it’s going to happen to you, or someone you know, but when it does, the effects are life changing, and it comes with many trials and tribulation. I’m just thankful that my mom is who she is, and that she’s my mom. She’s definitely a fighter, and her perseverance is inspiring. I pray that each of you is blessed in all your days, and I thank you for taking the time to read about my remarkable Mama. Ellen, please help change my Mom's life. We love you!