Too Much on Our Plait: Like Daughter

Like Daughter - 08

Disclaimer: If you watch Ugly Betty and have not gotten to Season 3, Episode 16, then don't read this yet. Go watch that episode and then come back. You'll get mad at me. If you have never watched Ugly Betty and don't really care about the show, then read on.

Molly has cancer. I knew it as soon as I saw her in the doctor's office in Episode 16. She was crying, upset, and seemed completely torn. She finally tells Daniel, who is the head honcho in Mode Magazine. Daniel lets her walk out of his life. I haven't finished the episode to find out if he succeeds in bringing her back. I needed to write this entry. It's going to really hit home for people, especially those I have become close to going through cancer themselves.

Betty talks Daniel into going to find her. He was torn up about Molly just walking out and him not stopping her. He said that she didn't want him to see her sick, and that he let her walk out because he was scared of seeing her get worse. Then he said, "But...I love her." That, my friends, is the clincher.

As a cancer patient, I can tell you right now: We want support, even when we don't want you around. Sometimes, we crave it. Especially when we need it most.

Molly's reaction fits. She didn't want to hurt Daniel, especially since she put her ex through it a long time before, when she was first diagnosed. She was afraid of Daniel going through the same pain that her ex did, especially since the cancer came back worse than before. I know I feel that way a lot of the time with my friends and family. But, as I've learned, some of my friends are too stubborn to kick away, and my family would disown me before letting me go through this on my own.

I've definitely felt lonely on this journey. Friends have come and gone and lost touch with me. Some knew about my diagnosis and tried to be there for me but strayed after a while. Few have stood by this entire time, but those few mean more to me than anything. I notice the inconsistencies, even when some people don't know I see them. Sure, I'm not dying, but this is something I will be fighting my entire life. And sometimes I have days when I need someone, even just to hear me vent.

If you're a friend or family member of someone who is going through cancer, don't leave them. Don't be scared. I'm sure your loved one is scared enough for the both of you. Love them, cherish them, keep them close to you. Don't stray from them. A phone call or card means so much. If they call you, pick up the phone. Even if their prognosis is not a good one, be there for them as much as you can. Express how you feel to them; hold nothing back. Cancer shouldn't affect the way you feel for that person. Develop the bond you have with your loved one. Strengthen it. Don't let cancer weaken it. Your bond will be unbreakable.

Tomorrow is Mom's surgery. If she's ready, then so am I.

Read More 2 comments | Posted by Adelina and Dori |

2 comments

Anonymous on December 28, 2009 at 6:08 PM

So I figure this post would be the perfect time to give you my new number I promised you! It's 443-559-7873. :) Love you girl!

-Lauren
Hayley on December 28, 2009 at 7:48 PM

Best wishes for your Mom's surgery tomorrow. My thoughts are with you.

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Like Daughter, Like Mother: Our Thyroid Cancer Journey

Behind the Blog

Adelina is a full-time wife, mother, practice manager, and medical transcriptionist. After receiving an ultrasound and countless biopsies, she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer on December 11, 2009. She successfully underwent surgery on December 29, 2009, and had her first radioactive iodine treatment in February 2010. Following treatment, Adelina now sees her doctor once a year for follow-up. She has been doing well, and refuses to let cancer slow her down.

Dori is 26 years old. She was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer at the age of 17 on June 1, 2006, just three days prior to her high school graduation. Dori endured two radioactive iodine treatments and two surgeries to remove her complete thyroid and 39 total lymph nodes from her neck. She is now under close watch by her doctors, and only time will tell if the cancer stays at bay.