Dig Pink Cancer Flashback with Rachel Robertson Croley

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Former Oak Ridge HS Volleyball Coach, Rachel Robertson Croley and her cancer-surviving Mom are as tight as can be.

You don't see many articles about how cancer affects family members and in particular...daughters.

Here is Rachel's story:

At 22 years of age, I never expected to receive a phone call from my mom (Karen Robertson) hearing her say, 'Rachel, it’s cancer.”

I was frozen and immediately burst into tears. At the time I was set to graduate from college eight hours away from home and I felt so helpless. Growing up as a daughter, there is one person that is invincible and can do everything...and that person is your mom. I was overcome with emotions, mostly bad ones. In the early stages of diagnosis your mind automatically goes to the worst. At 22, I was faced with the harsh reality that I might not have my mom anymore.

After the initial shock it was time to face the facts and look at the game plan. My mom was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, and it was Stage 2 . Mom had one of the most aggressive types of breast cancer and one of the hardest to treat. This particular type isn’t a good candidate for treatments such as hormonal therapy, and is treated pretty aggressively with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Our Thanksgiving that year was spent in the hospital while Mom underwent a double mastectomy. That was the longest three hours of my life, and I have never felt more helpless than I did in those 180 minutes. I remember when she woke up from surgery. She didn’t look like herself anymore. Very pale, very tired, very sick and little did I know this was just the beginning.

After surgery, it was time to start chemotherapy and radiation. Little by little my mom’s hair started to fall out, and her energy levels decreased. She would refer to her chemo' as poison...this “medicine” running through her veins and making her lose her hair and lose weight. Then there was the radiation, a month straight of repeated exposure of direct rays on her chest. It was like a sunburn, over and over for a month and she was in so much pain.

After months of treatment we were told she was in remission, which was such a blessing. Doctors were telling us she was going to be okay. Yes she is “okay” but she isn’t anywhere close to the same. Her hair is different, she is more drained, she forgets things, she isn’t as physically strong, she isn’t as fast, she doesn’t walk as good...BUT, she is a SURVIVOR. My mom, a breast cancer survivor.

No one told us what it meant to be a survivor. The constant anxiety of if/when it will come back. That’s what cancer takes away from individuals and families...that peace of mind. It’s amazing my mom is still here, but I find myself thinking...Could this be the last birthday? Last holiday? Are we going to have to go through all that treatment again?

Well, it is such a blessing to be able to continue to have my Mom to love. I must admit, in some strange way, I experience feelings of guilt for other daughters that will not be as lucky as I am. Others will lose their Mom's and will never again be able to say 'I Love you, Mom'. To know they will never again have that opportunity just breaks my heart.

October is my favorite month as it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I am so proud to be teaching/coaching for a school that celebrates this time with several events all encompassed by what we call 'Dig Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Week'.

...and Mom, I know I say this all the time and think it even more, but I can never say it enough...

You are my hero and I love you and cherish you with all my heart.
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

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