An Open Letter To My Mom As She Fights Cancer | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

An Open Letter To My Mom As She Fights Cancer

Never take the little things for granted

5631
An Open Letter To My Mom As She Fights Cancer
Melanie Tunaitis

Dear Momma,

Just two months ago you were living life normally until you went to the doctor's and they took a sample of the blood blister on your leg. We thought nothing of it, just a skin irritation.

August was starting out to be a great month. We just had our family reunion, you celebrated your birthday and we went to Knoebels amusement park. Everything seemed to be peachy keen.

August 9, 2016 is when our entire world flipped upside down. You were diagnosed with a type of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer. I was at work when I heard the news. I went to the bathroom and as I closed the door behind me I felt suffocated with my racing thoughts in the tiny space.

Why does this have to happen to my mom? She doesn't deserve this.

Even though these thoughts still make their presence frequently, one has stuck every single minute, hour, and day:

I don't want to lose my mom.

As I write this tears are rolling down my face uncontrollably. We haven't always gotten along and we don't see eye to eye on most things, but whenever I needed you the most you were there for me. You laid in bed with me when I was struggling with depression and held me until I fell asleep. You took me to group therapy sessions an hour away from our house every Wednesday. You always bought me the new One Direction CD and always sang along to it in the car with me.

You were the only person who never gave up on me. Even when we had fights that made us not talk to each other for the rest of the night, you would always check up on me in the middle of the night to see if I was okay.

I want to say: I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for all of the terrible things I've said to you when I was so mad at you. You didn't deserve it and you don't deserve what has happened to you, but you will never have to fight alone.

Mom, you're the strongest person I know. If anybody could kick cancer's ass, it's you. From when I was a little girl I've seen you take on many battles and it always amazed me how strong and brave you are.

You begin chemo very shortly and I know it scares you even when you say it doesn't. It's okay to be scared. When you're scared it usually means you're about to do something really brave. I know there will be tough days that you'll want to give up, but you'll never have to fight alone. You have so many friends and family cheering you on. Nobody wants cancer to win. You're a warrior and what do warriors do when they're knocked down? They pick up their swords and fight.

I love you more than you'll ever know. You're the most beautiful and strong woman I have ever known. Your strength and resilience inspires me and others immensely. If anybody could give cancer a run for its money, it's you. I just want you to know that I'm always thinking and praying for you every second of the day. I hope to be at least half the woman you are some day. Give em hell, Mom.

Love always,

Your little girl


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1048
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

634
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199736
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20600
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments