Mary Miller in Houston, TX
Modern Day Spartan:
Breast Cancer Survivor Living with MS, Puts Family First
Like a Spartan warrior, Mary Miller is loyal to those she loves, and fights every battle that comes her way, with grit. She lost her hair and feeling in her fingers, but chemotherapy couldn’t keep her down. She loses her sight time to time, but MS won’t keep her from making memories. After being diagnosed with breast cancer she followed her heart and her daughters, Meghan and Katie, to Texas. After the loss of her brother to MS, Mary decided, family first. She sacrificed friends and siblings to make the move to Texas, but she has gained precious time with her two grandkids,
Cole and Hannah. I Admire U Mary for never allowing your health challenges stand in your
way to truly live life.
Cole and Hannah. I Admire U Mary for never allowing your health challenges stand in your
way to truly live life.
Mary in her own words...
1. If I called you a warrior, a Spartan, for being brave to survive cancer and strong for living with the uncertainties of MS. Would you agree? What would you say to that?
A warrior? A Spartan? Mmm, at times, maybe, but not without my army. I fight, when I have to fight. I push, when I have to push. I cry, when I have to cry. I dance whenever I can! That being said, when the fight had left me, and I could not push anymore and there was nothing left but tears, that's when my army, my friends and family came to my rescue. They fought with me, pushed me to try harder, they let me cry, but only for a little bit and then pushed me some more. When the struggles subsided they would then go out with me and dance!!!
2. You lived with MS for sixteen years, and your beloved brother, John, suffered from MS. How do you manage the uncertainty that comes with MS? What do you tell yourself?
Wow! I try to live my life as if I don't have MS. I take my medicine. I rest when I need to rest. I try to eat healthier. I thank God every day for allowing me to have another day that I can take care of myself. I have seen what this disease can do, and I pray to God that he will not put my family and me through what my brother and his amazing family had to endure.
3. Your family is your rock. You have two beautiful daughters, Katie and Meghan, who were pivotal in your battle against cancer, what have they taught you?
Yes, I am blessed! My daughters are my rock! They have taught me I can do "it". Whatever "it" is at the time. They are the smart, independent, loving, compassionate women that I raised them to be, and they keep reminding me that I am all those things too. They have taught me to be less judgmental and more accepting. They challenge me to see things from another point of view.
A warrior? A Spartan? Mmm, at times, maybe, but not without my army. I fight, when I have to fight. I push, when I have to push. I cry, when I have to cry. I dance whenever I can! That being said, when the fight had left me, and I could not push anymore and there was nothing left but tears, that's when my army, my friends and family came to my rescue. They fought with me, pushed me to try harder, they let me cry, but only for a little bit and then pushed me some more. When the struggles subsided they would then go out with me and dance!!!
2. You lived with MS for sixteen years, and your beloved brother, John, suffered from MS. How do you manage the uncertainty that comes with MS? What do you tell yourself?
Wow! I try to live my life as if I don't have MS. I take my medicine. I rest when I need to rest. I try to eat healthier. I thank God every day for allowing me to have another day that I can take care of myself. I have seen what this disease can do, and I pray to God that he will not put my family and me through what my brother and his amazing family had to endure.
3. Your family is your rock. You have two beautiful daughters, Katie and Meghan, who were pivotal in your battle against cancer, what have they taught you?
Yes, I am blessed! My daughters are my rock! They have taught me I can do "it". Whatever "it" is at the time. They are the smart, independent, loving, compassionate women that I raised them to be, and they keep reminding me that I am all those things too. They have taught me to be less judgmental and more accepting. They challenge me to see things from another point of view.
"That being said, when the fight had left me, and I could not push anymore and there was nothing left but tears; that's when my army, my friends and family came to my rescue."
4. After surviving cancer, you made some exciting changes, you moved to Texas to be near your kids and grandkids. Mary, other than the physical aspects, how has your journey changed how you approach each day?
The most challenging part of moving to Texas is meeting new people and making new friends. Remember my army of friends and family??? I miss that abundance of love and support I had in Illinois. I want to be a good friend to the friends I have made. I enjoy every social event I attend.
5. After moving to Texas, you worked near a medical center where you met many women who were battling cancer, how did that impact you? Did you have any advice for them?
From the moment I realized the amount of our customers that came from MD Anderson Hospital, I knew God had put me there for a reason. I knew that everyone who is going through cancer treatment has a story to tell. I would let them share their story, let them cry, and then try to offer a little hope for a good outcome. I would send cards to cheer them up after they left, so they knew someone was thinking of them during their journey. I just wanted them to know that someone cared and understood.
6. Change can be challenging. How did you manage any doubts you had towards uprooting yourself?
At the time, my doctor said, "I have you covered for the next 5 years." I knew I had to make the change quickly. I knew I had to be close to my daughters and be a part of their lives. I wanted my grandchildren to know me and know that I loved them. So it was really an easy decision. The hard part was leaving my siblings and friends behind.
The most challenging part of moving to Texas is meeting new people and making new friends. Remember my army of friends and family??? I miss that abundance of love and support I had in Illinois. I want to be a good friend to the friends I have made. I enjoy every social event I attend.
5. After moving to Texas, you worked near a medical center where you met many women who were battling cancer, how did that impact you? Did you have any advice for them?
From the moment I realized the amount of our customers that came from MD Anderson Hospital, I knew God had put me there for a reason. I knew that everyone who is going through cancer treatment has a story to tell. I would let them share their story, let them cry, and then try to offer a little hope for a good outcome. I would send cards to cheer them up after they left, so they knew someone was thinking of them during their journey. I just wanted them to know that someone cared and understood.
6. Change can be challenging. How did you manage any doubts you had towards uprooting yourself?
At the time, my doctor said, "I have you covered for the next 5 years." I knew I had to make the change quickly. I knew I had to be close to my daughters and be a part of their lives. I wanted my grandchildren to know me and know that I loved them. So it was really an easy decision. The hard part was leaving my siblings and friends behind.
"I knew that everyone who is going through cancer treatment has a story to tell. I would let them share their story, let them cry, and then try to offer a little hope for a good outcome."
7. Life is good. What's next for you?
Life is good. Not sure what's next, but whatever it is, I will fight if I have to fight, push if I have to push, cry if I have to, and dance whenever I can!!!
8. I Admire U, who do you admire?
I admire so many people for so many different reasons. My friend Debi has shown over and over again the strength of the independent woman she is. She keeps a smile on her face even when I know she is struggling inside. She is always there, first in line, to help others during their difficult times. She is all action! She is a loving, compassionate, and smart woman. She has raised two wonderful daughters as a single mom. And best of all she loves to dance too!!!
Life is good. Not sure what's next, but whatever it is, I will fight if I have to fight, push if I have to push, cry if I have to, and dance whenever I can!!!
8. I Admire U, who do you admire?
I admire so many people for so many different reasons. My friend Debi has shown over and over again the strength of the independent woman she is. She keeps a smile on her face even when I know she is struggling inside. She is always there, first in line, to help others during their difficult times. She is all action! She is a loving, compassionate, and smart woman. She has raised two wonderful daughters as a single mom. And best of all she loves to dance too!!!
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