My mother got breast cancer in 1968 and went to Virgina Mason in Seattle, WA. At the time, we lived in Coulee City about 4 hours away. We went back and forth for radiation treatments and kemo.
She eventually had both breasts removed and died when whe was 53 years old. Only five years after she first found out she had the disease.
My mom was full of life and fought for her life harder than I have every seen. When she was 52 – and fighting the disease – she promoted the first all girl rodeo at our ranch and entered the bull riding, steer undecorating, and goat tying competitions.
I believe my stamina and longevity in rodeo was mostly through my mother’s spirit.
