By Nordia Henry, Staff Reporter
Christie: it was a miracle
WHEN SOMEONE in the family is faced with a difficult situation, they need comfort as they sometimes experience feelings of despair, fear and abandonment.
Argenteen Christie, mother of Tanisha Christie, had the challenging task of comforting her daughter who had a rare form of cancer three years ago, at age 15. "She had cancer two times, in her upper shoulder and in her lungs. The first time when I found out, she was not aware. After a while I told my husband that we had to tell Tanisha about her condition. So one day I called her and told her that something is happening to her and she needs to know about it but she must not worry or think it's the end of the world, just think about the positive, not the negative because she will get through it.
"We went to a counsellor and they told us how to handle the situation. I told her that whatever it takes for me to help her overcome it, I will do it. I reminded her that all things are possible with Christ. Belief kills and belief cures.
"It was a miracle. At first, when the doctors told me she had two weeks to live, I was petrified. Two weeks had passed and they still couldn't find any treatment. I was torn apart, because the aggressive cancer was
eating away her bone like ice cream running
down a cone. Although I couldn't cry, I told myself that it's one of two things: death or survival, but I always thought about survival because this voice kept telling me, 'Why worry? Don't worry, everything will be fine.' Today, Tanisha is still alive and doing well.
"I would take time off from work to stay home with her, pray with her, talk to her and help her understand that she would make it until she accepted it to the point that when people queried about the changes in her appearance, she was not afraid to tell them, 'I have cancer'.
Hilary Robertson-Hickling, daughter of Amy Robinson, tells how she supported her mom when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. "It was late 2000 when mom felt ill and I was living abroad. Earlier in the year she had done a mammogram, it came back clear but she sensed that something was wrong. When this happened she was 74 and she thought that she was too old to have cancer. However, after the diagnosis I looked at her in a different way because I was used to seeing my mom caring for people and now she had to be cared for.
"I supported her by listening to her fears and apprehension and advised her that everything would be fine, got her quick access to the necessary treatment for her condition, being present and following her when she had doctor's appointments. After surgery, we went back to the doctor for them to check her blood to see what treatment she needed and the doctor told her she didn't need chemotherapy or medication I could see the tension melt away from mom."
More often than not, family members are the same individuals who become caregivers following a cancer diagnosis. Following surgery, Miss Robinson has since recovered and has resumed her life with more fervour.
