Heroes/Villains

Thirty five years ago, Betty became a mother and at 19 at that time she put a hold on her life on hold and devote her time as a mother. Three years later I came along. My parents marriage was far from perfect she loved taking care of us, however she was missing out on what she wanted for her life because my dad worked all the time and she was there to fill both parents shoes. As time went on she decided to start working part time. Still her full time roll was being a mother. She always put her kids first, she had some bumps in her life, a divorce that changed everything. Betty realized this was a chance for her to do things shes wanted to do that she wasn't able to do before. So she went to college and graduated. Traveled more and focused on herself, which she deserved and needed. Fast forward a few years later. To a time that would test the strength of her and her family. A time in her life that would turn her world upside down. Not knowing what the future could hold for her.

On June 12 ,2019 Betty got a phone call a call that would change her world. A year before this phone call she was having some health scares which the doctor reassured her it was nothing big and to take some antibiotics. Which at the time helped and she went on with her life until her symptoms came back and she knew in her gut that something was very wrong. She went back to the doctor and they did some testing finding a mass on her bladder. The doctors told her they wouldn't know if it was cancerous until the biopsy results came back, Betty kids tried to stay strong for her and tell her to think positive and not think the worst. Then she went into the doctors June 12th and she sat down with her daughter the doctors told her that her mass was cancer a aggressive form called Sarcomatoid Carcinoma of the urinary bladder. In that moment she had the wind knocked out of her. The tears slowly rolled down her cheeks, and her daughter held her hand so tight. Trying to stay strong and hold back her tears her daughter spoke for her. What do we do to beat this cancer? It all was a blur so much information in such a distraught moment. Words like chemotherapy, surgery, and survival rate all resonate. After leaving Betty was still in shock, This was not what her or her kids were expecting. We had high hopes and now those were crushed. She was so discouraged and frightened and was thinking the worst. She had big decisions to make that could alter her entire life. Her family didn't have much time to process this big news and she hadn't either.

Chemo started a week later which was fast but because of the aggressiveness of this cancer it had to happen that way. That first morning of chemo Betty had her bag all packed for an 8 hour day filled of chemotherapy. Walking in the building she was told all what to expect for that day. As her and her daughter were escort the nurse we walked down the hallway seeing other patients and family going through their treatment. Having a million things running through her mind. Does that person have the same cancer? Will the chemotherapy I have make me that weak? How will I get through this? We finally reached our room for the day there was a chair for the patient and a chair for a guest. After being situated with lots of blankets,small snacks, and some slippers. The nurse sat next to Betty and inserted the Iv needed for the Chemo drugs those chemicals would be killing those fast growing cancer cells, A few hours into her session the nurse came in to give her a drug which in some patients are at risk for a terrible burning in their veins. A minute into this Iv bag and Betty was in pain tears coming down and her daughter struggling to comforter her unable to physically to much. Her daughter said this Iv bag is 5 minutes long we can get through this, She kept trying to distract her and keep reminding her time is almost up you can do this. She did make it through it but that 5 minutes was a reality check as to what was to come. It was a horrible feeling and this was only her first session, A few days later Betty was hit with the side effects of chemotherapy. some of them were nausea, vomiting and exhaustion. However those were the physical effects, Betty was emotionally drained and this was just her beginning of her fight with this evil thing called cancer.

Her family was there to support her in ever way possible. Her kids wanted to be strong for her but when she wasn't around they would break down, This was something they never experienced it tested us a family. When someone has cancer, the whole family and everyone who loves them does too. So through some very hard weeks with feeling good moments which we as a family took full advantage of to spend time together. From weekend trips, game nights, and just hanging out bringing laughter to what has been a time we have lost that.Her family started losing sight in the mother they once knew. She was angry and being defeated which they didn't blame her for that. They just wanted their mother back to see the woman that had a great sense of humor and knack to put a smile on everyone's face. A woman that wanted to do something everyday of her life. Now she was so sick and stuck in her bed. She hated that the most she wanted to do the things she use to do. We as a family helped her get through chemo and then it was time to make another life changing decision, She had to have her bladder removed completely. She had a few options and she choose a Neobladder which is where they remove her bladder and reconstruct a new one from part of her intestines. So In November of 2019 she had her surgery her family sat in the waiting room for 8 hours and during every hour they kept waiting for updates of good news and they did receive those and then finally the doctor came out and gave the final update everything went well and shes in recovery. Which allowed us all to finally breathe and a heavy weight on our shoulders was lifted. It was a whirlwind of emotions and pain in time of her recovery.

This woman has been through so much and shes still fighting despite it all. Shes a warrior that fought this evil thing we call cancer if she can defeat that what can't she take on. In January she received some amazing news two words she had been waiting to hear cancer free. When she heard those words a huge sense of relief came she hadnt had that feeling in what felt like years. She survived something that could have killed her. Betty is now getting her life back and becoming who she was but a stronger version of herself and it will take some time for her to heal not just physically but emotionally. Cancer may have started the fight, but Betty finished it.