2. What is your WHY? And why?
My “WHY” is that I heard three words that no one wants to hear, “You have cancer.” I have heard them as a granddaughter, a daughter, a sister, a mother and for myself. When I heard them for myself, it was easier than hearing them for others.
When I did, I decided I would seek traditional treatment. I chose chemotherapy. Not everyone does, I did.
I started my first day of chemotherapy on December 10, 2014. That morning, being the girl scout I am, I took so many items with me to be “ready” for anything. I could not have of imagined what I was going to face, a severe allergic reaction. I did not prepare for the gift that day gave me. I am now living my life for others because of that gift.
I had fallen asleep due to all of the pre-chemotherapy measures they take. I was in a ball in the chemo chair when I hear, “Are you ok?” It was like it was coming from a fog. When I tried to open my eyes, I could not. I then noticed my face was on fire, and my throat was closing up.
The staff was amazing and took care of me immediately. The person’s voice I heard was my original chemo buddy’s daughter. She had seen that I was growing very red and was sleeping. That moment in time changed everything for me.
We traveled our “treatment plan road” together through chemotherapy and surgeries. Throughout this time, our doctors and nurses bought to my attention that there was nothing out there that allowed for “buddies.” Chemo Buddies for Life DBA Chemo Buddies 4life was founded and registered in my home state and quickly became national; now we are preparing to go global. A 501(c)3 nonprofit that believes in “Healing Through Connections” within “The Buddies Network.” That is my “WHY.” My “WHY” behind my “WHY” is my mom.
Just after becoming diagnosed and starting treatment, my mom became very ill with pneumonia. She lived in my home along with four generations. Her pneumonia became life-threatening. I was in chemotherapy under the same roof, and she was extremely ill. My mother went to the hospital, and while there, she contacted “superbugs.”
We did not know at the time that