My name is Sage, and I’m writing this as the eldest daughter of my mom, Andrea, the woman who has held our entire world together for as long as I can remember.
My mom was recently diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, an invasive cancer that begins in the milk ducts, breaks through the duct wall, and invades surrounding breast tissue. At this point in time, we have learned she will need to undergo a mastectomy, possibly to both breasts. This isn’t just a surgery; it’s a life-altering, physically and emotionally devastating process.
For the first time in my life, my mom is being forced to stop.
My mom is the kind of person who never gets to “stop.” She is always on the go, always working, always showing up, because that’s what she’s had to do to provide for her family. She doesn’t get to slow down. She doesn’t get to take breaks. She is the backbone of her household, and everything she does is for the people she loves.
And now, everything has changed.
I grew up alongside my mom, watching her navigate life as a single mother of five. I’ve seen the sacrifices she’s made, the long hours she’s worked, and the strength she’s carried even on the hardest days. Everything she has ever done has been for her children. Being a mother isn’t just something she does; it’s who she is.
The cost of cancer treatment is significant, and alongside medical expenses, she is still responsible for supporting her three children at home, as well as rent, gas, food, and everyday living costs.
She will be out of work for a minimum of 6–8 weeks while her body heals, potentially longer as we navigate the next steps of treatment for her. At this point in time, we are still waiting for genetic testing results and are unaware if she will need chemo or radiation. That means no income, no ability to do the things she’s always done to keep things running. And knowing her, the hardest part for her won’t even be the pain; it will be not being able to take care of everyone else the way she always has.
Watching this happen to her is something I can’t put into words. I grew up watching her push through everything, no matter how hard it got.
She is strong in ways most people will never understand, but even the strongest people need help sometimes.
Between the surgery, treatment, recovery, and everyday expenses, the financial weight of this is overwhelming.
As her daughter, all I want is to take some of that weight off her shoulders, to give her the chance to rest, heal, and to fight this without the constant fear of how everything will be paid for.
If you are able to donate, share, or even just keep her in your thoughts, it means more than I could ever express. My mom has spent her entire life taking care of others. I’ve witnessed it firsthand. Now, I’m asking for help so we can take care of her.
Thank you for standing with her and our family during this difficult time.
With love,
Sage