This is the Beginning of My Story

My name is Carole and my life was dramatically changed on September 20, 2011.   On that day, my mom called me on her way home from a doctor’s appointment to tell me that she had pancreatic cancer.  We learned much later that it was Stage IV.  My immediate response was “how do we fix it?”  Her reply was “we don’t.”



My mom could move mountains and to hear her say that something was not fixable was beyond jarring.  All I knew about this type of cancer was that Patrick Swayze died from it.  After the initial shock, tears, anger and disbelief, I began researching.  Adding to my despair, was the fact that the internet was not able to give me the answers I so wanted.  Pancreatic cancer is not easily detectible in the early stages and is almost always fatal.  So, I sunk even further down. I was the only person in my immediate family that was doing research so I felt it was my responsibility to find answers to cure my mom.  Unfortunately, my research and many doctors were unable to save her.  She left on May 7, 2012, the second worst day of my life.  I was blessed to be her daughter for 43 years.  During the last month we were able to share our love, faith and we left nothing unsaid.  We were blessed to plan her final gala together.  We celebrated her life with style and grace.

Maybe I should start with who my mom was.  I know everyone says their mom is the best mom, but without a doubt, mine was the best.  She was exceptional at unconditional love and her family always came first.  She was a mom first and there was nothing she didn’t do for us.  She married young, started a family and then decided to go to college to become an educator.  It took a long time but she finished, became a teacher then assistant principal and finally a principal.  She was born to be a mom and educator.  She retired, moved to the country in the hopes of relaxing.

On average, I have spoken to my mom every single day of my life and it continues today.  My relationship with her was somewhat typical of mothers and daughters.  We didn’t always see eye to eye but in the end, she was my best friend and I was hers.  Someone once commented that when the two of us were together it seemed like we were in our own special world.  We were. We had differences but through the years and after becoming a parent, I understood what she was doing.  She was raising me to be a happy, hopeful, and loving person.  My mom was and is my inspiration to be more than average.  I saw her move mountains and it is my intention to do the same.  She expects nothing less, I am sure of that.

We have lost touch with my mom for a short time.  We will see her later.  For those of us who are chosen to stay behind, husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, family and friends, I feel it is our privilege to honor her by raising money in her name for pancreatic cancer research.  Through me, she chose for donations to be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  If you know nothing of this disease, www.pancan.org will help you.  I have two three year olds who will grow up with stories and pictures of the greatest lady for memories.  They remember her now, but time will fade the visual memory.  They will not get to go shopping with her, have any more vacations, or just listen to her say “I love you babies.” No one should ever have to experience any type of cancer but my focus is pancreatic cancer.  Pancan says it all.  So, I am asking one million people to donate one dollar to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in honor of my mom, http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/evamckinney.  I don’t want your money, but my mom does and so do my babies.  We need to fight this beast and not allow it to take one more Emmy away from her grandchildren.  With your help I will move this mountain. Wouldn’t you like to say you did too?

Hug your mom extra tight, leave nothing unsaid.  May God bless you as He has and continues to bless me.