My mother had her second bout with breast cancer. She battled breast cancer for the first time in her 70’s and it was a slow-growing post-menopausal kind. After surgery, she only needed hormone treatment for a few years.
At 95-years-young, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in her remaining side. The doctor thought it would be what is typical for someone her age — the slow growing kind. But we joke that my mom is reverse aging. A few years back, her hair actually started turning black again!
My mom’s breast cancer was of the younger person kind. It is very aggressive. This is rare for a person of her age. At her age, some doctors would advise against surgery but we knew that my mother sails through surgery with an amazing ability to recover. This is her superpower. And her secret is this: she never admits to being sick.
If you ask my mother, she hasn’t been sick in years if not decades. If you catch her with the sniffles and ask about that, she will tell you that other people she knows have been in bed for days, but she is fine. A positive mental attitude goes a long way toward surgical recovery. For example, my mother had surgery on a Friday. On Saturday, after she was discharged from the hospital, she joined us at a ramen restaurant before going home.
My mother also believes in the healing power of Nikken magnets and Forever Living Products Aloe Vera juices and supplements. My siblings and I were not too enthusiastic about my mother’s participation in multi-level marketing companies, particularly since she seemed to pile up on inventory because she didn’t sell much.
Now I am of the belief that anything that makes you feel health has healing properties because of the power of positive thinking. My mother had stopped drinking her aloe vera juice two years ago when she moved from her house to an independent living place. I think the aloe vera juice affected her digestion as she adjusted to a new diet. Not coincidentally, her cancer came back … two years ago.
We have ordered aloe vera for my mom who continues to wear her healing magnet jewelry. She might be the only 95-year-old not on any kind of medication so now I am coming around to her belief in her multi-level marketing companies.
A positive outlook on life goes a long ways towards a long and happy life. That’s my mother’s secret and her superpower. She is delighted to share it with you. While she no longer reps Forever Living or Nikken products, she still has stories of “healing miracles.” Now, I’m a believer!
p.s. We received bad news that my mom’s cancer is back despite the recent surgery. She is undergoing radiation treatments and is in good spirits.
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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
What a powerful, lovely story on so many levels, Mia & Mia’s Mom. Thank you for sharing – what an inspiring way to start my day.
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your mom’s story. It really touched me bc my sister, who is also always positive, is a cancer survivor. Unfortunately, the cancer was found too late in my grandmother and she did not survive it. Cancer has touched so many of us. Your mom is an inspiration – she is also so cute! Good luck with this next round of radiation treatments. Sending good energy and thoughts your way!
Keep it up, Mrs. Mia (I don’t know her name, so that will have to do!). I completely agree the positive mental attitude is one of the key foundations of battling cancer or any disease. When my mom got bone cancer, I was sure she would sink quickly because she had the tendency to look on the dark side of everything. But she just set her mind that she was not going to let cancer get down. She kept her regular schedule as much as she could during chemo, especially continuing to go to her favorite restaurants and coffee shops where everyone knew her. Made friends with the chemo techs and had a lot of laughter there. The docs were AMAZED at how well and for how long she tolerated the chemo. The chemo lost effectiveness in most people but my mom was on it for years. She did not ever lose her hair.
What ended up failing her was the weather. Remember a few years ago when it snowed all the time in Boston? She couldn’t get to her chemo then (she lived in my grandparents house on a big hill that is dangerous in bad weather). It makes me angry that there wasn’t a way to get her there. I also feel like after that the docs gave up – like she had had a good run.
I’ll pray for your mom. ((Hugs)) to you and your family.
“A positive outlook on life goes a long ways towards a long and happy life.” I wrote it on an index card and pinned at my desk. I know it’s true, but it is too easy to forget. Thank you for sharing your Mom’s story. I send you wishes for complete healing, and for courage and strength as needed.
Much love to you and your mother as she undergoes the radiation treatments. She is truly inspiring!! <3 <3
I had to come see your post because I thought someone was writing about my mom when I saw your mom’s picture. My mom was Japanese and 95 when she passed. She was a strong woman just like your mom. We are so fortunate that I had and you have amazing role models. I hope everything goes well for your mom.