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Doris M. Durkin Age: 74
Spring Lake, NJ

Type of Cancer: Cervical

My mom, Doris, was diagnosed 6 months after her oldest daughter was killed by a drunk driver and 3 months prior to her daughter-in-law was diagnosed with the same type of cancer. Mom’s cancer seemed fairly advanced and she had surgery and massive radiation immediately. The radiation wound up doing a lot of damage, and many long, and difficult operations have followed over the years. But she has persevered and never let (sometimes excruciating) pain stop her. More than once we have wondered how she could keep on; it seemed at times that she survived on Spirit alone. At one point there were so few foods that she could eat, that I swear she lived on nothing but hot water. She did not beat her cancer with any dramatic treatment or "superhuman" gesture; she beats it each day, just by being more tenacious and willing to hang on than it.

Highlights: (Memorable moments, turning points, favourite memories)
My sister and I still laugh at the shock and disbelief of a certain hospital resident who was doing an intake on our mother when he heard the litany of surgeries, complications, procedures, etc. she has had. He really thought she was pulling his leg at one point. It drove home for us how much she has been through, and how proud we are of her courage and strength.
Today, the most wonderful times are when the whole family gets together for birthdays or small holidays, which we do a lot. It might just be cake and coffee, or Chinese food for 12, but these are things that kept Mom going over the last 16 years, and hopefully for the next 16 as well.

Lowlights: (Moments of courage, digging deep within)
The first few years were such a miserable blur. Our family was hit with several tragedies very close together. Every single day required great effort from all of us, just to keep it together. There were just too many times we thought it would be the end to count.

Current Status:
Doris has been in remission for over 10 years now.

Favourite Activity(s) now:
Mom is extremely active these days. She plays in a floating bridge game, does Tai Chi, water aerobics, and loves the beach in good weather. She and Dad host one or more of their young grandchildren just about every weekend. She is also very dedicated to local politics and is proud of having "worked the polls" in every election for the past 30+ years.