Gay’s Story (Breast Cancer)

Hi, I’m Will Kone and I’m 12 years old. I am writing this for my wonderful Warrior mom Gay Kone. The last six years have been a constant battle for her.

Her story starts in March of 2007. She was asked to help a team called Making Strides for a friend’s daughter who had breast cancer, so mom joined and started raising money for Betsy’s Buddies.

In May of 2007. she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. She had to have a full mastectomy of her left breast along with 12 weeks of chemo. She lost all her beautiful long red hair. But through all the missed work, pain and soreness she never lost her smile. She still coached my baseball team, helped serve as my classroom mom at school, kept our house clean, cooked dinner every night, and also went to Jacksonville to visit my big brother Mike at UNF.

In October after her surgery and start of  her chemo, mom walked in Making Strides and raised $1000 by herself. That makes me proud!!!

In March of 2010, Mike, my big brother, married his high school sweetheart Christina which was great, but being that mom still wasn’t working money was very limited, and she couldn’t give them as much of a gift that she and dad had wanted. But she did the best she could and it was a happy day.

Then in June of 2010 while on their way here to start their honeymoon, Mike and Christina had a car accident. Mike was killed instantly. Mom was devastated and has not been the same since the accident. She tries very hard to hide her pain from me and dad. But I know how much she misses Mike…I miss him like she does!

But in the midst of this tragic events mom had decided it was time for her get her reconstruction surgery on her breast. She was suppose to see the doctor in December of 2010 and she was very excited. Before she could go to the doctor my dad lost his job at the utilities commission which meant no insurance and no surgery for mom. She says she doesn’t mind having her prosthesis but I know she wants it fixed. We do a lot of outdoor activities, we love going to the beach.

Well there is some sadder things, but I will summarize it; we lost our house and they had to sell moms truck. All this makes mom so upset. But she keeps going with a smile and a joke.

I LOVE MY MOM SO MUCH. She takes such great care of our family and all her friends, and she is always there to lend a hand or take a field trip.

Now let’s fast forward to march of 2012. They found another mass, but this time it was on the right side in her lymph node. In September they did a biopsy and on October first mom got the call…it was breast cancer, AGAIN. Well being the way my mom is she just smiled and said, “Dr Favis and God will take care of me like they did the first time.”

This cancer was different, it wasn’t in her breast just her lymph nodes. They did chemo first. It was two different kinds for six months total. Mom called the first round “the red menace” and it was awful for her. She couldn’t get out of bed for days afterwards. The second round wasn’t as bad but she still lost her hair again as well as a lot of weight. But through all the chemo she still came to all my baseball games and helped me at school too. We are also a host family for The Daytona Cub baseball players. Mom cooks, does laundry, and goes to most of the games for “her boys.” On June 28th she had her full mastectomy of her right breast. The weekend after she was right back at my games. And six weeks after she found a job and was back to work.

So that is my mom Gay’s Warrior Cancer Story. She is an inspiration to me and all our friends. She helps or talks to anyone who needs it. We have had and have friends battle other cancers and mom has always been there for them or always thinking and praying for anyone in need.

Thanks for reading!!!

Love you MOM,

Will

 

Will
Florida
Submitted 11/12/2013

The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.