We're all familiar with the expression: "necessity is the mother of invention." In the instance of my mother's fight against breast and ovarian cancer, the expression should be restated as: "the mother is the necessity for invention".
 

In the summer of 1998, having previously overcome breast cancer 7 years earlier, my mother was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy and a TRAM reconstruction. During her recovery period, I was appalled to see my mother's determination impeded by the constant nuisance of her four dangling post-surgical drains. Using a little ingenuity, I created an adjustable belt and loop support system which minimized the drains’ interference with my mother's normal daily activities. The belt (named the DRAM Belt) worked beautifully. I then became determined that all post-surgical patients (men, women and children) should have access to the DRAM Belt to increase their quality of life during their recovery period. To accomplish this goal, I formed a company (which I named "For My Mom" for obvious reasons), set up the manufacturing process, and began marketing the DRAM Belt to hospitals, medical centers, patients, etc.

It gives my mother and me great satisfaction to know that the DRAM belt has helped many patients throughout the country. A portion of the proceeds from each sale is donated to "For My Mom . . .And Yours", a charitable fund that I established to provide financial assistance to women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Unfortunately, my mother is once again battling cancer - she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in July 2002. Thankfully, the surgery was successful and she is responding unbelievably well to the chemo (she went into remission after only 2 treatments). However, upon her diagnosis, the prospect of chemo absolutely terrified her. I felt so useless . . . but then I thought of a way to have her focus on how far she'd come instead of what was still ahead. I bought her a charm bracelet and after each of her eight treatments I give her a number charm which corresponds to the treatment number, (e.g. #1, #2, etc.) to attach to the bracelet. The date of her final treatment will be engraved on the heart charm, which I attached to the bracelet when I gave it to her. She loves the bracelet and wears it every day to remind her how far she's come. (In support of her fight, I wear a matching charm bracelet and my father wears a leather and bead choker-style necklace version – we add the appropriate numeric charm/bead to our bracelet/necklace at the same time as my mother adds hers.) So far, we are all wearing the "1", "2", "3", “4” and “5” – we look forward to the day that we can attach the "8"! My mother’s final chemo treatment is currently scheduled for December 24, 2002 - I can't imagine a happier way of celebrating the start of the holiday season.

At my mom's suggestion, I've started selling "chemo-countdown" jewelry to chemotherapy patients and those who love and support them. The jewelry is available in a variety of styles for men, women and children. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to the "For My Mom . . .And Yours" fund which will now also provide assistance to those diagnosed with ovarian and other gynecological cancers and will contribute to a broad spectrum of cancer-related organizations and charities.

I'm so proud of my mother's inner strength, spirit and determination.
My parents live in Arizona and my father drives her into Los Angeles every 3 weeks for her chemo treatments at the Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center.

My mom is so much more to me than "just" my mom - she's my best friend,
my role model and the type of woman I aspire to be. My dad is my
hero. No husband could be more loving, supportive or devoted to his wife. He has been with her through every stage of her fight (including staying with her every night in the hospital following her surgery and accompanying her to every one of her doctor appointments and chemo treatments). Both he and I will be right there beside her as she crosses the finish line and is declared the victor in her fight against cancer.

It is my fervent desire that my family’s experience with cancer provide inspiration and hope to others facing similarly trying circumstances – you see, “every cloud really does have a silver lining”.