By Carmen Gonzalez
It’s been a little over 2 years since my mom’s breast cancer diagnosis. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for my mother to tolerate all she has gone through and continues to go through – the pain, the worry, and the battle. She wakes up every day hurting and goes to sleep hurting even more. My mother, the constant optimist and effervescent, sprightly woman I know her to be, is caged with this hideous beast they call cancer.
Attending the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk opening ceremony on August 5th, 2011 made me realize my mother is not alone in this battle. The energy was intense! Beyond any words can explain. We tried to hold back tears but that was truly impossible. You were able to feel the hope, the faith, and the strength of these women. They were beyond super heroes! One of Tricoci University’s own Super Heroes, Lina Alvarado, breast cancer survivor participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk! Groups of students from TUBC Student Council went to the ceremonies to send her off and then to welcome her back! It was an incredible experience and I am so glad I was able to go out and show my support!
Regardless, if you were walking for yourself or for someone else, the unity these women created was incredible. They understood each others’ pain and they too had lived the nightmare. There was laughter with all the “boobie” signs and the men wearing bedazzled pink bras; it was awesome! There were tears from those who walked in memory of loved ones that lost their battle to this disease.
Chills ran thru my body because for the first time in 2 years there were others who understood how my mother and family feels. For the first time in 2 years I knew my mom would be okay. We never lost our faith, but after attending the walk we gained HOPE. It has been a life changing experience. I was honored to attend this event for one of the Educators at Tricoci University!