Cancer is possibly the most terrifying disease that you can get. Just the thought of it can bring so much fear, heartbreak, worry and a pain.
Once a person is diagnosed with cancer and have to deal with the struggle, fear and pain of the treatments, it is always good to have a strong support system from their family and friends. This helps bring light during dark times and it helps gives strength when one feels weak.
By the grace of God, Abraham Moreno Edwards and his mom Amanda have each other to depend on for support.
Here is their story:
Back in February, Amanda took Abraham to the doctor because she thought he was suffering from a cold. In a shocking and Heartbreaking moment, doctors reveal that her son had two completely unrelated types of blood cancer – lymphoblastic leukemia and myeloid leukemia.
They began taking the necessary steps toward getting Abs treated, then came another blow. Just six weeks later, Amanda found a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Now Amanda and Abs are both going through chemotherapy treatments.
Amanda says this experience, though frightening, has brought she and her son closer together than ever.
“Abs knows that I know what he’s going through. We have been bonded by it. It is a special bond only me and him know,” she said.
“We are a team,” she added. “We have a joke about both being bald and who looks best. We try to laugh to keep our spirits up. But in truth it is very frightening.
“Our life is on hold and currently revolves around hospital appointments, we live from one to the next. But we just get on with it – we have to. What choice do we have?”
Abs’ bravery, she says, has helped her deal with her own cancer.
“My attitude is my son is extremely ill and fighting for his life – I’ve just got breast cancer,” she said. “I’m very, very positive when it comes to myself because I have seen for myself what these children – my son included – go through. I feel like in comparison I’m not going through a lot. They go through so much more and they do it with a smile on their faces, always happy.”
Amanda is separated from her children’s father and lives with her kids in Spain. Usually, she works as a translator for other expats but is out of work due to her illness.
While she does receive free medical care, she does not get much in the way of benefits, so her best friend, Natalie Hancock, is raising money to help the family get by during this difficult time. Twenty percent of the money raised will go to the volunteers at Abs’ oncology ward who provide books and toys for the children. Natalie also hopes to send the family to Euro Disney when they are better.
The weeks, months, and years ahead may be uncertain and frightening, but Abs and Amanda know there are many people all over the world supporting them.
More than that, they have each other.
