Tara's Fight Against Breast Cancer

On my mom’s birthday last November, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. My parents spent the last 4 years building hospitals in rural areas of east Africa, along with serving in their community and homeschooling my siblings and me. They were in the process of moving me back to the States for college when she was diagnosed.

The cancer tumor was 6 inches and had spread to several lymph nodes. Because it was so extensive, my mom went through 5 months of chemotherapy, surgery, and 5 weeks of daily radiation. Treatment like this is physically and emotionally taxing, and while we prayed and hoped for the best, cancer is a journey where the finish line is never guaranteed. In September, after the mastectomy meant to remove the remaining cancer cells, she suffered a severe infection and had to be admitted to the ER for emergency surgery.

This month we are celebrating the 1-year anniversary of her diagnosis. My mom is the type of person who gets stronger under pressure, and she never gave up faith. The tumor shrank to microscopic levels, defying the doctor’s expectations and today my mom can officially be called a “cancer survivor”! (I even got to see her ring the survivor bell!)

Mom's treatment isn't over yet. Next August she'll have an 8-hour reconstruction surgery which has its own risk of complication. In total her cancer treatment will span 3 years, and she will have another 10 years of hormone therapy and anti-cancer drugs. None of us have lost sight of God’s blessing though this time, and we are so thankful for the recovery she has made. And I know everyone’s prayers and encouragement have meant the world to my family.

This has been a long journey for my family and the cost has been high; physically, emotionally, and financially. And if you know my parents you know they aren’t the best at asking for help, so I’m asking for them! Please consider helping my parents cover the backlog of medical treatment costs, as well as expenses that are coming up next year when my mom has her final surgery. I would be so grateful!

If you’re not able to give, reposting would be just as helpful, and prayers are always welcome! Have a happy holidays ya’ll :)