My 2021 Gloria Gemma 5K Fundraising Page
Samantha Lundstrom
Samantha Lundstrom
It was June 2020 hospitals and outpatient services just started to reopen. My mom was scheduled for her routine mammogram, she contemplated canceling it since we were still in lockdown due the pandemic.
She went….. and days later she was told she needed a repeat mammogram and possible biopsy for “something suspicious.” I immediately called Mass General Hospital and luckily Dr. Michelle Specht was able to see my mom that week.
The day of the visit I had to leave my mom at the front door of Mass General to take on this journey alone, at that time, no visitors were allowed. Everything happens quickly in Boston. Her 1st visit included consultation, mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy. The car ride home was full of worry, some tears, some laughs, and mostly just being grateful that we were so close to MGH.
24 hours later I received a phone call from my mom and she said “I have stage 1 breast cancer” and it was silent. I still can’t put into words my thoughts or feelings when you hear your mom say those words. I watched how this lady of strength and resilience for the first time in my life really needed me. She was frightened and I could see it. It was a role reversal that was so unexpected.
So the journey began, multiple trips to Boston, surgery, consults, repeat mammograms, and radiation. She did this all alone while we sat in the lawn at MGH praying, crying, and most importantly sending her hope and strength. The common thread that kept being repeated to us was how lucky she was that her cancer was detected early.
On the day of surgery, I sat in the grass at Mass General waiting for her. I had multiple phone conversations with some of the most brilliant physicians in this country. And for them, I am forever grateful. I am grateful for the care, the comfort, the brilliant work they do, and most importantly holding her hand when we couldn’t.
I am also grateful for the people who reached out, who shared similar stories like my mom’s. Your guidance and support meant the world to us.
My mom made 1-year cancer-free in July 2021. I literally screamed and shouted from the rooftop of Mass General parking garage. This has been a life journey for sure. One that made us dig deep for strength, for faith, and for hope. My mom was so fortunate to have early detection and some of the best care around. We learned so much from this experience. I pray that every woman going through this journey finds peace and hope. It is one that can not be fought alone.
Ladies, get your mammograms. Be your own advocate. It literally can save your life.
She went….. and days later she was told she needed a repeat mammogram and possible biopsy for “something suspicious.” I immediately called Mass General Hospital and luckily Dr. Michelle Specht was able to see my mom that week.
The day of the visit I had to leave my mom at the front door of Mass General to take on this journey alone, at that time, no visitors were allowed. Everything happens quickly in Boston. Her 1st visit included consultation, mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy. The car ride home was full of worry, some tears, some laughs, and mostly just being grateful that we were so close to MGH.
24 hours later I received a phone call from my mom and she said “I have stage 1 breast cancer” and it was silent. I still can’t put into words my thoughts or feelings when you hear your mom say those words. I watched how this lady of strength and resilience for the first time in my life really needed me. She was frightened and I could see it. It was a role reversal that was so unexpected.
So the journey began, multiple trips to Boston, surgery, consults, repeat mammograms, and radiation. She did this all alone while we sat in the lawn at MGH praying, crying, and most importantly sending her hope and strength. The common thread that kept being repeated to us was how lucky she was that her cancer was detected early.
On the day of surgery, I sat in the grass at Mass General waiting for her. I had multiple phone conversations with some of the most brilliant physicians in this country. And for them, I am forever grateful. I am grateful for the care, the comfort, the brilliant work they do, and most importantly holding her hand when we couldn’t.
I am also grateful for the people who reached out, who shared similar stories like my mom’s. Your guidance and support meant the world to us.
My mom made 1-year cancer-free in July 2021. I literally screamed and shouted from the rooftop of Mass General parking garage. This has been a life journey for sure. One that made us dig deep for strength, for faith, and for hope. My mom was so fortunate to have early detection and some of the best care around. We learned so much from this experience. I pray that every woman going through this journey finds peace and hope. It is one that can not be fought alone.
Ladies, get your mammograms. Be your own advocate. It literally can save your life.
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