Essay Example. Family Reawakening: The Cancer Scare

My mother looks much younger than she really is. That is what everyone says about her. I always am so proud of my mom. Every time she went to my school and picked me up, my friends were all jealous of me because I had such a pretty mom. Even my teachers said to me that my mom was the most beautiful mom they had ever seen.

I am proud of her also because she always stands by my side and supports me. In my middle school, the teachers were always the symbol of authority. The students and parents normally obeyed teachers instruction. Many parents would usually blame on their children without knowing the truth. But my mom doesnt. Once she was called to come to my school because I quarreled with my teacher. When my mother arrived in my school, to my surprise, without blaming on me, she asked me about the reasons. At this time, my mother helped me prove that I was right and show her trust to me.

My mother lives so healthy to keep her young, in her words. She even has more enthusiasm to sports than I do. She goes to yoga class and is enrolled to a fitness club which she visits at least twice a week after work. On Sunday mornings, she wakes up as early as usually and wakes me up for jogging outside. I normally find any kind of an excuse to refuse the invitation of my mom.

For this reason, I always thought my mother had a much younger and healthier body than I did. I had never considered the thought of some kind of disease afflicting her. I am glad that she can keep such a healthy life style, and I was more worried about my father, who always sits on his armchair and smokes.

Scene #1: (Conversation with my grandmother)

Ever since I was little, our family has had a tradition whereby my parents usually bring me to my grandparents house for dinner on every Friday and Saturday. It has always been an opportunity my grandparents relish, as they get to dote on their favorite grandchild. I also grew to enjoy relish the dinner conversations. My grandparents are very interested in my life, and I have always been glad to regale them with my childhood adventures.

One visit, however, stands out starkly from all others. I was attending high school abroad, and I had just come home for a break. It was Friday, and my father was held up at work, so my mother drove us to my grandmothers home for the customary Friday night dinner.

My grandparents house is huge, and even with my uncle and aunt around in addition to our family of three, it remained quite roomy. After dinner on this particular visit, I was just getting to my feet to help my mother clear the table and do the dishes when my grandmother pulled back her chair and rather than join the rest of the family in the living room, turned to the two of us.

Actually Martha, I would like to talk to Georgia outside, do you mind?

Now one thing you should know about my grandma is that she never gives a direct command. She has always had a way of giving commands in the form of a question, making one think they had a choice in a matter while indeed they didnt. My mother appeared ready to decline, but nodded and turned around to continue clearing the table, leaving my grandma to steer me out the door and into the courtyard.

I love how you do that. I remarked as soon as my grandma pulled the door closed behind her.

She turned to me with an inquisitive eye, so I explained. I mean how you tell people what to do in the form of a question.

Yeah, I realized early that people respond better to make people think they have a choice in doing things than telling them what to do she smiled at me, then took my hand. We started walking towards what I knew would be the parch of begonia flowers she maintained a short distance from the backdoor.

It was one of those magical nights when the moon shines bright and competes with the lights in the backyard to create a surreal glow. There was also an array of sparkling stars twinkling merrily down at us. A soft breeze blew across our faces as we walked side by side, having to brush against the short hedge lining the walkways. A delectable smell of flowery scents hung heavy in the air, I found myself taking deep breaths to savor it.

We conversed about high school abroad, and the usual teasing about boys my grandparents had been doing since I was ten. We were soon at the patch, and I admired the well-kept flowers without touching. The only time I can remember getting a harsh scolding from grandma was when I had picked a flower without her permission. Needless to say, the lesson was still fresh.

After a spell of silence, my grandmother turned to me and took my other hand. An alarm bell immediately went off in my mind. This nurturing and gentleness always came before a blow my grandma thought would be traumatic to me.

Did your mother tell you her medical examination report? she asked, stopping the endless reel of thoughts that had just gone off in my mind.

I felt my knees treble. Not about mum, not about mum. Please let it not be about mum. I chanted in my mind.

The next words felt as if they were being forced out of me. No, she didnt tell me. But I know she went to have a medical examination recently.

The result is not good. Your doctor thinks that your mom might have breast cancer. There are tests that need to be done though, my grandmas eyes shone in the darkness, the only indicator of how painful the news was for her. Other than that, her grip on my arms was strong and comforting. With those few sentences, my grandmother had just turned my whole world upside down. The surrounding was suddenly ominous and forbidding, pressing towards me in a threatening manner. When I looked up to the sky in a silent plea, the stars were no longer twinkling merrily down at me, but mocking upside down world. When the scent of her begonias next assaulted my nostrils, it was more suffocating than refreshing.

Apparently noticing my plight, my grandmother pulled me towards her. I fell gratefully into her arms and sobbed, thinking of all the terrible news Id heard about breast cancer. It seemed surreal that my own mother was about to become a victim.

When I was finally able to quiet down, my grandma wiped the tears from my eyes and gripped my cheeks. Your mother doesnt want you to know, she wants to protect you from the stress of it all. Dont tell her that I told you, and dont act as if you know anything, she might get worried.

A faraway look got into her eyes. God help that daughter of mine, but she is too protective for her own good. We fell into each others arms again, knowing that we would need to be strong for the sake of my mother.

At the back of my mind, I wondered how my grandma expected me to keep the news to myself. I could hardly look at the fairy lights or the stars without thinking of candlelit wakes, and the mental image made me blanch.

Scene #2: (The confrontation)

On the way back home, my mother kept the conversation light. My grandmas words kept ringing in my brain the whole time. In a bid to maintain a facade of normalcy, my answers were falsely enthusiastic. They sounded weak even to my ears.

Georgie? Are you okay? My mother waved her hand in front of my eyes, bringing me back from a distracted daze. Looking outside the window, I noticed that the scenery was not moving.

Yes, I stopped the car. You have some talking to do, young lady My mother said, arms crossed on her chest in her signature strict mom look.

Thinking that this would be the best cover in case my grandma became upset with me, the story came pouring out. It was a huge relief to unload it, I felt tons lighter.

My mother took my hands in both of hers. Oh baby, I didnt mean to keep you out. I just didnt want to burden you. I -

I am you daughter, mum. How could you think that knowing about your health would be a burden to me? I cut her off, gripping her hands tighter.

Without warning, my mother burst out in tears. I have been scared; I want to be around for your graduation. I want to see you go out to college, get married, get kids. I didnt know how to talk about it.

That night we cried a lot, my mother and me in that car. At the end, we decided to go through the journey together, and we both felt stronger together.

Scene #3: (The results)

When it came to time to go back to school, my mother accepted my refusal to leave with a smile and a hug. My father was also understanding and supportive, and he drove us to the hospital. We were all relieved when the report indicated that the tumor was benign. We exchanged hugs all around, and then drove to a restaurant nearby for celebratory dinner. My grandparents would be joining us.

So I will be starting chemo and radiotherapy in a few weeks. The doctors are really optimistic. My mother finished filling grandma up.

Thats good. I had a scare long before you were born too, did I ever tell you? she said, folding a napkin carefully on her lap.

I exchanged looks with my mother and father, feeling a chill run down my back. Grammy, then mom. Whos to say youre not next, Georgie?

It will be okay honey; the doctor said that early detection is key. Do you yearly tests and youll be fine... my father took my hand in his, rubbing softly. I smiled at him, feeling more at ease.

My mothers eyes, when I caught her gaze, promised her support and honesty. I felt I needed both in equal measures. At the back of my mind, I knew that my family would be stronger after this ordeal. Looking at my grandparents at one side of the table and my parents on the other, I felt gratitude for a life surrounded by loving family.