Stacy's Story

Stacy's Story, in her own words:

"When we found I had cancer, one of my first thoughts was concern for my daughters. Had I just burdened their childhood and would I be around to care for them and watch them grow into young women?"



"That initial fear passed as we learned more about my disease and what our plan was. When Mark and I decided to tell them, we were both nervous. "



"The girls took it well although my 8 year old cried and was scared. Then she rallied and became taller and stronger than I had seen her before."

"My 6 year old was most relieved that it wasn't contagious. Mark and I breathed a sigh of relief and we carried on our mostly normal lives."

"Several days later, in the car (why do all the big questions come when you are trying to merge onto the freeway?), my youngest said, 'Mom, you won't look the same when your hair is gone and how will I know that you're my mom?'



Luckily, Mark was driving so I turned around in my seat and held her hand. 'Mimi, look into my eyes and what do you see?'

'I see you loving me.'

'That is where you will always be able to look to see me and know who I am, whether I have hair or not. That is where you will see me loving you for all your life.'

'Okay Mommy. That's good.'

"Since my hair is gone, she does look into my eyes more intensely to see if I am really there..."

"And I always will be."