My mother doesn’t have a PhD or doctorate
but she still knew something was wrong with my health
before anyone else did
Mum the Great advocated for me before I could talk
She saved my life at 5 months old when a respiratory illness almost killed me
again in grade 12 when my organs began to fail
She believed my pain when I whimpered through tears
“my tummy really, really hurts mommy”
and she believed it when they wheeled her
25 year old now adult kid into surgery for the first time
When the anesthetic wore off and I eventually regained awareness
her smile was the first thing I saw
Her tear soaked cheeks glistened and even though I wasn’t wearing my glasses
I could see her dimples
It’s endo, she said through sniffles. It’s ok, she said
I love you so much, Amanda, more than anything
I’m just so sorry it took this long
I love you too, mom I really do
You were there when I found out, you were there to give me the news
just like you were there before we knew
I know not everyone had someone on their side like I did
I am very fortunate to have had a caregiver
so compassionate and kind to have loved me through
all those years of uncertainty
We all deserve the kind of support my mother gave me
My mother helped me live with pain of an unknown origin
from the moment she gave me life
I wouldn’t be here without her unconditional support from that moment on
So here’s to our biggest endo supporters
whoever they may be
thank you for choosing empathy
