Sara’s Story

This week, we are inspired to pass on the remarkable story of 15-year-old Sara Nemes. This is the story of how Sara and her family learned of and coped with her mother’s breast cancer – and how Sara discovered the beauty in their situation.

My Story

Sara Nemes

Sara

Sometimes it feels like the world is smiling. There are those days when the rays of the sun seem to be bouncing around, radiating warmth and happiness; when flowers bloom, or snowflakes dance, and when the air is crisp and clean. Those are the days that I love.

It was not one of those days when my mom told me that she had breast cancer. I remember still; that day was cold and gloomy, the air seemed to have been filled with despair. For a while before, we had known that there was a possibility that mom had a tumor, but I lulled myself into the sweet bliss of ignorance, telling myself that something like this could not happen to my family, not to my mom. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

The day before, I had gone to a sleepover at one of my close friend’s house. I had a blast, of course, and did not even take the time to consider that my mom’s test results would be in the next day. At this point, I had no “what ifs” on my mind. The next morning as my parents pulled into the driveway and I waved good-bye to my friend, I still had no idea what was about to greet me inside our blue mini-van. I could sense something was wrong as soon as I got in. There was a massive folder sitting on the backseat; it stared at me, willing me to open it. “What’s wrong?” I asked immediately. Mom and dad looked at one another and went into explaining the situation… Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and would soon have to undergo an operation. Right then it started to rain, and I knew the world was mourning along with me.

It took some time for me to become used to the idea that my mom had breast cancer. It definitely was not something I would be able to talk about with just anyone. Most of the people my age envision a weak, withering patient in a hospital bed when cancer is mentioned. That was not my mom. She was as happy and upbeat as anyone in her situation could have been and I thank her for that. And as for myself? I ended up finding comfort and guidance in the most unexpected place—dancing.

Ballet has always been my passion; I love dancing more than anything! Having the comfort of the studio in difficult times was truly the best safety blanket I could have. When I dance, the world seems to explode with colors and sounds and shapes—the bad things do not disappear completely, they never can, but the beauty in any situation is brought forward. Dancing gives me a sense of focus, purpose, and love; I think that everyone should have something that they enjoy doing and can lose themselves in.

Through dancing and watching my mom fight cancer I have come to realize that you should never live on “what ifs.” Rather, treasure and celebrate the good things in life; however hard it may seem to find them, they are always there.

I think that cancer, in a way, is a family disease, and while only one member may have it, the effects will reach each person in the family. Cancer must be fought as a family too! Loving and caring for the one affected is the best support anyone can ever ask for. Just by adding a little color to a person’s day, they will become stronger for it in return.