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It was supposed to be a peaceful Christmas, but it was the start of a long struggle. Rachel Morsett, 35, of Kansas, suffered a sore on her tongue at Christmas last year that disrupted her family meal.
She didn’t think much about it and her doctors didn’t suspect anything serious. But the open space grew larger and darker. In just six weeks, the ulcer took over half of her tongue. “I actually had an appointment with a specialist in February, but I couldn’t wait that long,” Morsett told the Sun.
“It was just like in a movie”
So the mother of three went to an ENT specialist. He sent a sample to the laboratory. The American was shocked a few days later: “I was diagnosed via a video call: stage four cancer.”
“It was just like in a movie. I heard the word ‘cancer’ and I can’t remember the rest,” said the young mother. She no longer understood the world: “I have never smoked or used tobacco in any other way.” The fight against cancer became the biggest challenge of her life.
The chance is small
Just a few weeks after the diagnosis, parts of her tongue were removed and recreated using skin and muscle from her forearm. But the cancer was not yet defeated: during an examination, the doctors found new ulcers. “Just six weeks after the operation I also had to start chemotherapy,” says the mother.
And it got worse: when she had pneumonia, doctors found metastases in the woman’s lungs. She underwent five more radiation treatments, but the results were devastating: Additional cancerous growths had formed during the treatment.
“You’re still alive, keep it up!”
“I made the mistake of asking how long I would live,” Morsett said. Even if they respond to treatment, the average patient only lives about 15 months. But the doctor also has patients who have been treated for 10 years. ‘I knew I had to fight. I want to see my three children grow up. I want to get to know my grandchildren,” said the American.
Since then, Rachel Morsett has enjoyed many little things in life: styling her daughters’ hair in the morning or helping them with their homework. Or when the youngest child would rather chat than sleep in the morning. “Things that used to annoy me now give me a lot of joy,” says the young mother confidently. “I always tell myself: you are alive. Keep it up!” (jl)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
