Unfinished by Elizabeth

Who is Elizabeth?

Elizabeth is my mom and she is my inspiration.

When was she diagnosed with cancer?

My mom was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 and then again in 2005.I was a sophomore in high school when my mom was first diagnosed with cancer. Everything happened so fast. One day I came home from basketball practice, and then the next minute my mom was in the hospital getting a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.

The second time my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer she went through chemotherapy. I was two years out of college, and all I remember thinking was how could this happen again?

How did your family react after learning about your mom’s cancer?

My mom and my dad were amazing. They were so knowledgable about the disease and the treatments that everything became normal even the extraordinary. My mom never asked for anything and my dad never wanted anything in return. They just wanted to spend time with each other. Life was just the way it was.

What role did art play in the process of coping with cancer?

Art was a great outlet for my mom especially after her mastectomy. I think after the surgery my mom realized the finality of the procedure and the seriousness of her disease and she became extremely depressed. She felt isolated in her new body, and she found it hard to relate her feelings to my dad and my family. Fortunately, one of her friends was a wonderful art instructor and she fell in love with her paints. Through art, my mom found the freedom and the ability to express her emotions and rebuild herself as a stronger person.

What have you learned from your mother’s struggle with cancer?

Live a life without regrets. It’s a very easy thing to say, but it’s an extremely hard thing to do. I will have regrets, but I don’t want to regret something because I didn’t try it or because I was afraid to try something new.

Are there any words of wisdom that you would like to share with us?

My grandmother once said, “Life is like bitter sweet candy,” and I think she was absolutely right.