Some of us have lost loved ones or friends and some of us have survivors in our lives. I lost my dad in 2004 to cancer but I am also lucky enough to know a survivor, my son. In 2013 my 15 year old son was diagnosed with Stage 3 Large Diffuse B-Cell Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. A very aggressive fast moving cancer. The diagnosis came out of nowhere and knocked the wind out of me. Raising 3 boys on my own
I was no stranger to struggles and stress but this was another beast altogether. I now had to tell a teenager getting ready to make a statement in the sport of wrestling that he has cancer. Those were the hardest words I have ever had to speak. But I told him and that is where our journey began. He had to undergo surgeries, tests, scans and all sorts of invasive things. He had to have 5 rounds of in-patient chemo that were 5-8 days long. He was hooked up to IV's of poison and attached to that pole for days at a time. He began and ended every chemo session with a spinal tap where they injected chemo directly into his spine because this cancer can travel to the brain. He had to lose his hair. He had to do it all by himself. I couldn't do any of it for him. I couldn't take the load off of him. As a wrestler he was used to getting out on the mat by himself against his opponent. His teammates and coaches could only watch and cheer from the matside. I do believe this is what prepared my son for this battle and I do believe this is what pulled him through the darkest days and I know in my heart that because of his training as a wrestler this is what made him a survivor. As a mom I had to go on auto pilot. I refuse to give cancer any power but I do realize it's a delicate balance of acceptance and refusal of its effects on my son and my family. His fight was like a wrestling match, I could cheer him on but he had to get out there alone and wrestle his match. He had to be confident he could win but not underestimate his opponent. He had to look this monster right in the eyes and take it down. I am in awe of his strength. He is the strongest person I know. He is now in remission enjoying his teenage years and back on the mat. He missed his entire sophomore season of wrestling only to come back his Junior year and place 4th in the state. He has left this so far behind him and only looks to his future and I love that about him. So this page was created for all the fighters out there and their families and friends. We are all touched by someone that is dealing with this monster and I want to help in any way possible. My hope is to begin fundraising and donating directly to the pediatric families at UNC to help take some of the burden off of them. I want people to come to this page and share stories of hope or just share their story or vent their frustrations and fears. I believe in that saying that it takes a village to raise a child and I feel the same way about this, a village is a powerful thing. A village can help heal someone that is suffering and offer hope. I was very lucky to have the entire community stand behind my family. So many people did so much for us. Family, friends, the school, the town, the doctors, the hospital..everyone built a circle of strength around us. It was incredible and words can never describe how grateful I am. So join TAKEDOWN cancer and do just that, take.
