Wedding Blog

Quick update - m sent us a very helpful site: http://www.thebreastcancersite.com.
Every time you click on the link, it helps fund a mammogram. So go on girls… click away!

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Hello weddingbee-ers!

As many of you may know, October is breast cancer awareness month. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years back, and when we found out that there was no doubt, we were all emotional. My mother got an x-ray and the doctor told us there was nothing he could really do… it was too late. She got her surgery anyway, we prayed, we hoped and she made it out cancer free. The doctors were stunned and confused - didn’t quite know how a woman that was beyond the point of help made it out cancer free.

For a while she was just visiting the hospital and continuing her treatment. It was so hard on her… she was really upset but happy that she was alive. She was weak, losing about 50lbs and tired of taking meds. But she continued to eat healthy, exercise and be strong for not only herself but her family. We thought we would never have to deal with it again, but then she felt a lump and the cancer was back.

I literally fell apart when she told me. Normally my mom is the type that doesn’t like to share bad news with me because I’m pretty weak. (I’ve had many ulcers that resulted in hospitalization.) When I got that phone call from my mama and she was crying, I couldn’t understand a word she was saying until she told me in Korean that the cancer had come back and that she thought she might die.

I’ve lived my entire life with just my mom and my sister. My mom was the only parent that I had… I knew that in my heart it wasn’t time for her to go. I kept being strong for my mother, and only weak to my fiance. I called everyday, told her that I was praying for her… that she needed to stay strong and positive. Slowly day by day she gathered the strength to smile or at least be positive.

She went to the hospital many times, discussing options with her doctors. In the end it was chemotherapy and surgery. She was throwing up from the chemo and didn’t really want to eat because she was too tired. Just thinking about those times makes me tear up again.

She had surgery and thank God that it was successful. She’s been cancer free for about a year now. She still has to take her meds and go to the doctor weekly, but she’s free. Finally free.

People always think that I loveeeeee pink. I do love pink, because a lot of the pink I own donates their profits to breast cancer research. There are many companies that are doing this. Target, The Breast Cancer Shop and Coach all have lines with proceeds that go specifically to breast cancer research. I think their products would make excellent bridesmaids gifts and who doesn’t love pink?

If you have anyone in your family that has a history of breast cancer, you should get a mammogram 10 years earlier than the age of the relative who was diagnosed. Things that can help in prevention are eating: garlic, tumeric, lots of greens/fiber and dark chocolate.

The dictionary defines hero as:
A man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

I’ve never had a hero before… I never thought anyone deserved that title. But my mom is the bestest hero in the whole world. She’s so strong, nothing but courage and full of love.

I do hope that nobody has to go through the pain of cancer. But I am hopeful that one day we will have a cure.