Breast cancer touches lives in profound and unpredictable ways. For Marty Fisher, Regional Home Care Consultant at America’s Home Health Services, her experience with breast cancer is not just professional—it’s deeply personal. Marty’s mother, Donna Fisher, battled breast cancer twice. Her journey and passing on April 6, 2014, left an indelible mark on Marty and shaped her outlook on breast cancer, early detection, and the importance of advocacy.
A Mother’s Fight and a Daughter’s Heartbreak
Marty’s earliest memories of her mother’s breast cancer date back to when she was just eight years old. Donna was diagnosed and went through treatment, eventually entering remission. While Marty doesn’t recall many details from that period, what stands out are Donna’s wigs—an attempt by her mother to shield her daughter from the harsh reality of the illness.
“I remember her buying these horrible, ugly wigs because she thought I’d be embarrassed if my friends saw her without hair,” Marty shares with a smile. “Eventually, I told her the wigs were more embarrassing than her being bald, and she stopped wearing them.”
While those early memories might have been overshadowed by her youth, Donna’s second bout with cancer in 2013 was unforgettable. After years of remission, Donna began feeling unwell. A doctor’s visit brought the devastating news—her cancer had returned, metastasizing to her bones and brain. “There was no warning, no cure, and what felt like no hope,” Marty recalls. Donna was given six months to live, but she passed away after only four.
Coping with Loss
Watching her mother’s decline was the hardest part for Marty. “It was heartbreaking. She didn’t even know who I was by the end because of the cancer in her brain. That’s a feeling I will never forget.”
Coping with her mother’s death has been a journey of its own. “I still grieve, but it comes in waves. I try to focus on the good times, the memories of when she was herself.” Donna’s sister, Marty’s Aunt Julie, played a crucial role during those final months, providing a safe place for Donna when she could no longer care for herself.
Marty’s advice to those supporting a loved one with cancer is simple: “Be there for the bad, the sad, and the ugly. Just be there.”
Lessons Learned and a Message for Others
Donna’s fight with breast cancer taught Marty the value of life’s fragility. “Your entire life can change in the blink of an eye. Don’t take it for granted,” she advises. More than anything, her mother’s experience reinforced the importance of breast cancer awareness and early detection.
“It’s critical to listen to your body,” Marty stresses. “You know what’s normal for you, and if something feels off, talk to a medical professional. Early detection saved my mom the first time. Maybe it could have saved her again if we had caught it sooner.”
Marty’s message to others is clear: Don’t wait. Get regular screenings, pay attention to changes in your body, and don’t put off appointments because of fear.
Keeping Donna’s Memory Alive
While Marty hasn’t been heavily involved in breast cancer awareness activities—finding them emotionally overwhelming at times—she honors her mother’s memory in quieter ways. “I keep her memory alive with pictures. I have a lot that I look through when I’m sad. Unfortunately, I don’t have many from the last few years with her, because I didn’t expect to need them for memories.”
As for what Donna would want people to know about breast cancer, Marty believes it’s this: “It’s okay not to be okay. My mom tried so hard to be strong for everyone, but what she needed was for us to be strong for her.”
A Legacy of Strength
Marty’s journey after losing her mother has shaped her into the person she is today. “I was still a teenager when I lost my mom, and I had to suddenly navigate life without her. She was my only support system.”
Breast cancer may have taken her mother, but Marty’s story is one of resilience, love, and the enduring power of family. Her message to everyone during Breast Cancer Awareness Month is one of vigilance and care: “It doesn’t matter who you are—breast cancer can happen to anyone. Stay on top of your health. It could save your life.”
In memory of Donna Fisher, and in honor of all the families affected by breast cancer, America’s Home Health Services encourages everyone to take steps toward early detection and offer support to those in the fight.
