Fast-forward 25 years to when I was born. My mom was quite young, so we lived with my grandparents until I was six. Even after we moved out, I spent a large part of my child hood in my grandma's kitchen. I can still remember sneaking into her pantry and shoving spoonfuls of Nesquik (back when it came in a tin can) into my mouth. We were a close family and everything was wonderful until one day in 1994. Grandma was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer; there weren't many effective treatments back then. Doctors only gave her 1 to 3 years and everyone was devastated.
Miraculously, she was able to overcome the disease and became an inspiration to us all. As the years went on grandma had to keep fighting as her cancer kept recurring in different forms. Each time she put on a brave face and took it in stride, proving time and again that a positive outlook and a love of life can do wonders for your health.
In March of 2010 doctors discovered that the cancer had spread to Grandma's brain. Her prognosis was grim - they didn't expect her to make it until June. This was especially tough for me, as I was set to be married on June 12, 2010 and I feared she wouldn't get to see me walk down the aisle. I should have known better. Grandma shocked us all when June rolled around and she was still healthy enough to make the trip from Chicago to Austin and see me get married. The picture of her and me on the right is my absolute favorite of the two of us; I'm so glad she got to share that day with me.
As 2010 came to a close, grandma's 71st birthday was quickly approaching, and her condition quickly deteriorating. Knowing what a fighter she was, my family decided to plan for the best and began to organize a birthday party. She gave us a few scares around Christmas, but on January 8, 2011 all of her friends and family gathered and celebrated, sharing stories and saying goodbye.
On January 10, 2011 Grandma Carol lost her 17-year battle with cancer. I was lucky enough to receive her recipe book and I felt compelled to share them all. My grandma will be greatly missed, but she lives on in our hearts and memories, and now through her recipes as well.
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I am running the Susan G. Komen Marathon for a Cure on November 13, 2011 and have committed to raise over $1,000 for breast cancer research in my grandma's memory. If you were moved by her story, please feel free to make a donation.
