I was 22 years old when my mother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2014. I remember being scared my mother would not see me graduate college in the spring of 2015 and googling the life expectancy of someone with MBC. I'm sure there was a lot of conflicting and likely inaccurate information online but 2.5 years was the duration I remember seeing most frequently. Yes, she would likely see me graduate college but I had little hope that she would see me get married, have children, buy a home, get a promotion, etc.
Fortunately for me and my family, she received terrific treatment from DFCI and she was able to see and experience so much post-diagnosis. It was nearly 10 years later in April of 2024 when she passed. In that time living with cancer she was able to attend weddings for friends and family members, travel with her husband to see her children all over the country, attend many Providence College sporting events, celebrate Patriots Super Bowl victories, watch hundreds of hours of grand slam tennis (her favorite), and be there for the birth of three grandchildren, including my daughter, Ruby, who I believe will always remember her Grandma. My family and I are so grateful to DFCI and are excited about the opportunity to give back!
