In 2007, my beautiful mama was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. After a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation, she eradicated the cancer. And, like many, after the reminder of how unpredictable and fleeting our existence, she seized the opportunity to make more refined lifestyle changes....more intentional
changes to her diet...learning more, committing to more complementary healing modalities and continuing to live the practice she so passionately teaches.
12 years later, in the summer of 2019, she started to experience some unusual health issues. In September, she learned that her breast cancer had returned. The cancer, they say, has metastasized to her bones and liver. She had surgery in September to put titanium rods in both her left upper arm and right femur. She has begun Hormone therapy, received a bone infusion and you bet...she is exploring and implementing several alternative and complementary modalities for deep cellular healing.
They say such cancer is incurable.
Here is what I know of my best friend, my hero - my badass mama. She is so tough. She is compassionate. She cares so much. She is kind. She is generous. She is deep and deeply motivated to help others feel better. She is a TEACHER and maybe ironically, (I’m sure her friends from high school could vouch) she never was big into rules or following what “they” say.
She became a mother before age 18...and has spent her 'adult' life, working selflessly to fulfill this role. Fiercely independent..she managed to be a single mama and go back to school....eventually earning a teaching degree. She taught 4th grade for many years ...creating dear friends...and then courageously followed her passion for helping and healing others...a passion and purpose that over the last 15 years, led her to build a HUGE and truly special yoga community. This is a community that I know has come to love her, to trust her and to appreciate how she has influenced their life. ..by really...just being her. A teacher isn’t what she does...it’s who she is. And...as everything has a light and a dark...this version of strength comes with the shadow of struggling to ask for help when needed. However, this experience has helped her see that this may serve as the impetus to self growth...of allowing others to love her....allowing her to love herself enough to care for herself in this way.
As you can imagine...she is anxious to get back to teaching. Being unable to 'work' has created stress of several kinds. Not just the diagnosis...but the re-assessing of what is her purpose at this time, how to make the time she is unable to do what she loves..matter...and of course..the how to keep up with the personal and immense medical bills while not working.
As she recovers from surgery and begins treatment, she has and will need support. Your thoughts, prayers, energy, money, vibrations, light, mantras...whatever you do...it’s all immensely appreciated.
I’ve witnessed my mama do extraordinary things in this life...and I have a feeling she’s got a few more such things. A Dr. who knows her and worked with her in the past, told her today, she will get through this and throw this into remission...and I wholeheartedly believe that. I know the impact belief has on experience. AND..I know the impact stress has on our body and immune system. My hope is we can, with your generous support, ease the financial stress, so she can put all her energy toward the extraordinary and keeping up with her two grandsons she adores.
thank you and much much love ❤️
