Diagnosed | Mom's New Battle + Our Family's Bond in Sickness

My MS, twin brother's Bi-Polar disorder, grandfather's lung cancer, grandmother's kidney failure, uncle's HIV. Now throw in the asthma, hypertension and diabetes, which are sprinkled amongst the bountiful rest. Bloodline aside, whether lifestyle-invoked, or completely random - it seems like you cannot be an official member of my family, without bearing some debilitating disease.

And in about a week, I will be nervously pacing some hospital waiting room, as my mother undergoes an initial surgery to combat her recent diagnosis of ovarian cancer. I'm actually surprised that I was able to type that, without welling-up with tears ... as I've done the last 3 attempts.

"PC" + mom, Georgeann aka
"G-Money" after a long,
exhausting '07 Black Friday haul

As some may know, my mom has courageously overcome much in life and especially with her health. Reaching a weight of over 600lbs ... she was, as she explains in her wellness workshops, "one of those 'how can anyone get that big?' people." Along with that weight, and former lifestyle, came insurmountable sickness. And needless to say, I've seen my share of hospitals and have been given countless dire prognoses - since my pre-teen years. Back then, however, it was kind of expected. That's so unfortunate to say, yet being young and watching someone you love meet so many near-death experiences, one has no choice but to try to prepare for the worst.

Now that that weight is gone, her vitals are stellar, she's active and living with a cleaned-up diet - I thought the worst was over? Not quite. After experiencing some tension in her abdomen, which she thought was a strain from too much swimming (go figure), her Specialist informed us of the cancer. I’ll admit, watching someone who has successfully taken back her life (even went back to school for another degree and started a business), would have to face another life-altering struggle, is disheartening.

Despite that, I've always been one to take my frustration and fears and have fueled them into something positive. I actually get that trait from my mom. Not just a mental task either, but an actionable one. I think the saying goes "charity starts at home." I can blog and train clients until my heart is content - but my purpose will not fully be personified until MY family is well. No more leaning on that’s just in “our genes,” or “we’ve always been big,” or (insert any and all excuses for generational curses to survive throughout lineage). We must do better.

What's crazy is that growing up, I thought being sick and having a team of doctors was normal, for adults. Like, being ill, was just a part of adulthood! It wasn't until I got older, went away to college and saw my friends' family members with clean bills of health and living beyond 60 years, that I realized what was happening to us, wasn't right.

Fact is, most of what afflicts us is controllable. And even with those ailments that we have no control over, we can still do something. If there’s no cure, our lifestyles should still cater to a body that needs to heal and/or counterbalance what’s trying to take it over; with a nutrient-dense diet and regular activity - for starters. This has been my mindset, in experiencing MS. And will be my mom’s in dealing with ovarian cancer. Just because there’s no solidified cause to what’s making us sick, we do our bodies no favors by neglecting it care.

This will take time. Not sure exactly how I’ll present this… but, I know, for sure, that my future children (Omunique and Man-Man), will value the importance of health. Years after I’m gone and away from here, I hope that the symbol for illness, is stripped from our family crest.

While my family faces this next battle, I sincerely hope that you will keep my mommy (my bestie aka homie-mother-friend), in your thoughts and prayers. We're told that the cancer is confined, and that the stage appears to be early. Therefore, her treatment plan looks promising, in efforts to eradicate the mass.

She's a pretty resilient lady. A really short one, at barely 4'11", but there's a ton of fight in there. And considering that among her concerns, being upset about losing her natural afro* to chemo ... her high spirits about this, are keeping me lifted as well.

P.S. I proposed that we get her a blond Beyoncé-inspired wig. I'm still waiting for an answer.

~PC