Public Project
Blanca: sobrevivir al cáncer de mama
Blanca: sobreviviendo al cáncer de mama
Blanca tiene 50 años, cuatro hijos y es mi madre. En mayo de 2018 le diagnosticaron cáncer de mama en etapa dos. Sus sospechas de la enfermedad surgieron en 2016, cuando se dio cuenta de que tenía bolitas en su seno derecho. Los médicos le dijeron que no era nada, que sólo se trataba de depósitos de calcio en el tejido mamario pero, sin saberlo, el cáncer crecía en su interior.De 2015 a 2017 Blanca dedicó la mayor parte de su tiempo a cuidar a Miguel, su esposo, quien tenía cáncer de próstata en etapa cuatro. Los cuidados paliativos que requería eran tan intensos que ella descuidó su propia salud. Seis meses después de que papá falleció nos avisaron de la enfermedad de mi madre.
Luego de una mastectomía radical, 8 quimioterapias, 25 radiaciones y decenas de medicamentos, Blanca logró recuperarse. No fue un camino fácil, en especial para ella. La mayor parte del tiempo mi madre se muestra fuerte, pero este fue uno de sus momentos más vulnerables.
Estas fotografías son un registro su fortaleza. A pesar de todas las dificultades que ha atravesado, mi mamá resiste y agradece por su salud, por estar viva. “Las mujeres se ocupan de todo el mundo, pero olvidan ocuparse de sí mismas”, dice. Ella quiere que su historia se conozca para que las mujeres se den cuenta de la importancia de cuidarse a sí mismas y no sólo a las personas a su alrededor.
Blanca is 50 years old, has four children, and is my mother. In May 2018, she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer.
Her suspicions about the disease arose in 2016 when she noticed small lumps in her right breast. The doctors told her it was nothing, just calcium deposits in the breast tissue, but without knowing it, the cancer was growing inside her.
From 2015 to 2017, Blanca dedicated most of her time to caring for Miguel, her husband, who had stage four prostate cancer. The palliative care he required was so intense that she neglected her health. Six months after my father passed away, we were informed of my mother’s illness.
After a radical mastectomy, eight chemotherapy sessions, 25 radiation treatments, and dozens of medications, Blanca managed to recover. It was not an easy journey, especially for her. My mother often appears strong, but this was one of her most vulnerable moments. These photographs are a record of her strength.
Despite all the difficulties she has faced, my mom endured and is grateful for her health and for being alive. "Women take care of everyone else but forget to care for themselves," she says. She wants her story to be known so that women realize the importance of caring for themselves and not just those around them.
Her suspicions about the disease arose in 2016 when she noticed small lumps in her right breast. The doctors told her it was nothing, just calcium deposits in the breast tissue, but without knowing it, the cancer was growing inside her.
From 2015 to 2017, Blanca dedicated most of her time to caring for Miguel, her husband, who had stage four prostate cancer. The palliative care he required was so intense that she neglected her health. Six months after my father passed away, we were informed of my mother’s illness.
After a radical mastectomy, eight chemotherapy sessions, 25 radiation treatments, and dozens of medications, Blanca managed to recover. It was not an easy journey, especially for her. My mother often appears strong, but this was one of her most vulnerable moments. These photographs are a record of her strength.
Despite all the difficulties she has faced, my mom endured and is grateful for her health and for being alive. "Women take care of everyone else but forget to care for themselves," she says. She wants her story to be known so that women realize the importance of caring for themselves and not just those around them.
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