It’s probably been pretty noticeable that I’ve been absent from blogging for the past week or so. It’s been a bit of a rough week for myself and my family. Here’s the story:
Late last week, my Mom went to the doctor. She had been having some pains in her breast, which were attributed to cysts for the past year. The pain had finally become so unbearable, she visited the doctor again to get them checked out and taken care of. When she went to the doctor, they found something else in her breast, but weren’t sure what it was. Tests were done and results were to come on Tuesday.
Tuesday rolls around and Mom calls me with the results. She’s got breast cancer. Specifically, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I didn’t quite know what that meant at the time, but I knew that any type of cancer is a bad thing. Mom said that the doctors had another appointment for her on the 29th to talk more about treatment and how they were going to proceed.
It was kind of a tough blow to get, but instantly, I switched from fear mode, while awaiting news of the tests, to fighting mode, once I knew what the diagnosis was. I went to the downtown pharmacy, picked up a greeting card for Mom, and sent it, along with a LIVESTRONG bracelet to her, next day air. She had specific instructions to wear the bracelet, for me, and that she was to fight this disease as hard as she could.
I’m not going to lie and say that I haven’t shed a tear about this situation. My Mom is one of my best friends in the world. We’re extremely close and we talk on the phone almost every day. She was my biggest supporter when I joined the Marines, and has supported me 110% in almost everything that I’ve ever done. To think of the idea of losing her to a disease like this… it’s hard. This is why we will fight.
Mom’s going to do some chemotherapy to try and shrink the tumor, as well as contain it. She’ll probably be doing that every three to four weeks for about 4-6 months. At that point, they’ll probably do surgery to remove the rest. It really depends on how all that goes as to what happens, really. It’s all up in the air.
In order to fight it on my own, I think I might do one of the LIVESTRONG Challenge rides to help raise money to fight cancer alongside other folks who have a passion for seeing an end come to this dreaded disease. There are several locations for the ride, including Philadelphia and Austin, TX, and you have to raise some money to make it happen, but I think I’m going to give one of them a go and have my own personal fight, at the same time my Mom fights her battle.
That’s all I’ve got for now. Still wrapping my mind around this and trying to stay on task with work and stuff. More to come later. I’ll let everyone know where to donate when I get started with the fundraising. Thanks.
PROBIKEWRENCH 
This is a very moving post Josh. You’re mom is lucky to have your support and love and I”LL BET that will make all the difference! We’re all here to help you help her fight.
My heart and prayers go out to you. If your mom is anything like her son, she’s a fighter. If there’s anything I or any of your many cycling friends in the Seneca area can do for you or for her, just let us know. Don’t forget that the Stars and Stripes Challenge (held in conjuction with the US Pro Cycling Championships in Greenville benefits the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the GHS Oncology Research Center. I’ll be riding in your mother’s honor next year. Live strong, my friend.
Josh, I will be sure to hit my knees tonight and put your mother in the hands of the Great Physician. I will also be ready with a check to help you on your way to your fight. Just keep the posts up and let us know when and where you are going to let your pedals do some fighting. Reach out to the VR people and Fat Cyclist, we should be able to take some serious shots at this thing on behalf of your mother. God Bless my friend.
Josh,
Too intense. I had to wait for my own feelings to subside before typing. I’ll look for your update on the fund-raising/donation effort. Hang in there.
-Eric
@EricRacesBikes
Like you, my mom had breast cancer, pre stage 1.
4 yrs later, i got nonhodgkins lymphoma, stage 1.
5 yrs later, mom’s healthy and cancer free.
4 yrs later, so am i
i did the livestrong ride in austin a yr after my treatment.
its a disease that can be beaten, we’re proof of it.
hang in there and josh’s mom and fight the good fight.
life’s about living. let’s get on with living this life.
Josh, I am so proud of you. I know the love you have for your mother and we have all been tied in knots until we heard yesterday that the cancer is contained in her left breas. While I am proud of you, I also am so very proud of my daughter. She has always seemed to frail, but that woman has the strength of Job. I truly have a new HERO, your mother and dad not only believe in God and have their faith, they live each day what they believe and profess. With God on our side, all thiings are possible.
God Bless You All!!
Memaw
When I am a little more together, I will finish what I started. Just know that I love you so very much Theresa and Josh you are awesome.
Love and God Bless All!!
Mom and Memaw