On the picture, you see a mother with a daughter. You may not know, you are also looking at a patient with her doctor.

When I first heard of the news that my mother was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, i was shocked, even as a doctor. Never had I realized that the cancer could be so close to me! Even with all the medical knowledge and experience i worry about her so much. She is not only a patient, she is my dear mother.

I blamed myself to be too busy working but did not pay enough attention to my mother. I blamed myself that I did not urge her to see doctor when she had been showing early symptoms in our hometown. I blamed myself that I was always so inpatient to listen to her when I talked to her on the phone. I blamed myself that I left her at hometown and worked at big city.

To be honest, before my mother is sick, i only know how to be a oncologist, but I had little idea how to be a daughter of a cancer patient. I had to learn and grow up the second time. My confidence and faith has collapsed.

I have never seen my mother so weak, so desperate, so frustrated about life. She trusts no one, including herself. She needs company and comforts more than she needs a medical lecture. She needs to know how her life is going to be, how she could go through all the treatment, how to face the future risks. Everything turns to be monsters around her.

She is looking for hopes, so am I.

Where is hope? Hope is in our spirits!

Two months has past. My mother has been through surgery and chemotherapy in Cancer Hospital in Beijing, China, where I am working as a gynecological oncologist.

My mother and I are fighting with the cancer now and will keep fighting hand in hand.

I love you, Mom!

To all the mothers in the world!

– Ying Huang