Linda Williams

Linda J Williams
December 14, 1950 - July 25, 2013
Forever Loved, Forever Missed.






Welcome to my mom's CaringBridge website. We've created it to keep friends and family updated about our loved one. 

Visit often to read the latest journal entries on her journey with breast cancer. Visit the photo gallery, and write us a note in our guestbook.

Sincerely,
Rhonda Felton




I am Linda's Daughter, Rhonda. This is her story.

My mom's story began in the spring of 1996. She was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. It rocked not only her world but mine. There is no family history of breast cancer, and so it caught us totally off guard. 

Mom underwent lumpectomy and lymph node dissection surgery and chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy. She had success with the treatment and went into remission for 4 years.

Her breast cancer returned in 2000, and again, she underwent another lumpectomy surgery and endured grueling chemotherapy and radiation for a second time. This treatment was much more aggressive than the first. Treatment wasn't in vain though, and was successful once more. She went into remission until 2005.

In 2005 when my mom's breast cancer returned, she opted for a double radical mastectomy. She was told this decreased her changes of it returning by 95%, and no chemotherapy would be necessary. This was a tough time in her life, as it would be for any women undergoing a procedure like this. However, with a grandson, a daughter and family supporting her she felt it was all worth it, and that it would end her nightmare. This procedure merely only bought her time.

My mom's cancer returned in 2007, proving it was relentless and determined to be the winner. This time it showed up in the lymph nodes in the center of her chest. New tests and medical advances showed it was hormone receptive and so she was placed on hormone blockers. This treatment proved to be successful  from 2007-2010, buying her another 3 years. 

In December of 2010 mom's cancer returned; this time in her bones. She opted for radiation as it was only in a one of the vertebrata in her spine, and tests showed that it was not present anywhere else. 3 months after radiation treatment it proved to be a failed attempt at controlling the cancer and it spread to another level in her spine and into the ribs. Since radiation was not working, and the new hormone blocker she was trying was also not working she turned to chemotherapy once again.

The first form of treatment didn't do much to stop the spread of the cancer, and it continued to escalate throughout her bones. Due to this she was switched to a second form of chemotherapy. The second option also proved to fail her.

As of her last test results 3 months ago the cancer has since moved into her bone marrow in the original vertebra location; and marrow in the ribs, as well as continued to spread throughout her bones ( pelvis, arm, ribs, lower and upper back, skull, etc.)

We are thankful however that it has not entered her spinal column and it isn't in her brain, lungs, liver.  Her prognosis is hopeful, but her battle is grueling, and constant. She is now undergoing a third form of chemotherapy and will retest again in a few months to see if it's successful.

It's an ever constant weight, and ever constant worry, and yet we carry ever constant hope in our heart that she will not have to endure more than she can handle. 

Her journey is not over and her battle still forges on. She is in good spirits and is a fighter.

She is my hero, my rock, my best friend and I am proud of her.

Mom, I love you, and I pray for you everyday.

________________________________________________

Mom was there when I entered this world, and I was there holding her hand when she took her last breath and left on the evening of July 25, 2013 at 6:40 P.M.

Beloved Daughter, Mother & Grandmother.
Forever Loved, Forever Missed.

Until we meet again.....

Your daughter, Rhonda.