At 91, nothing surprises me much.

When my daughter Isabel was diagnosed with endometrial cancer almost ten years ago, I couldn’t believe that her mortality could be more fragile than mine.

We still lived in the Philippines when I was Isabel’s age and I never learned much about this type of cancer. Through my daughter’s cancer journey, I understood that this type of cancer is quite common among women her age.

Dr Dianne Miller, gynaecologic oncologist, and her team at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) are the reason that Isabel is in remission today. It was so hard to watch my daughter go through surgery and then chemotherapy. But I knew that she was getting the best care possible at VGH.

Last year, I heard those same words, “You have cancer.” But this time, those words were for me.

It’s not something you hear every day—a daughter, then her mother, diagnosed with the same cancer almost 10 years apart.

Last year, I began experiencing the same symptoms Isabel had. We returned to Dr Miller because she was familiar with our family history. She shared with us that endometrial cancer is inherited about 10% of the time. Isabel’s cancer was diagnosed at a higher-stage than me, but it was the same cancer.

Like Isabel, Dr Miller and her team performed my surgery at VGH. I am just finishing my first year of follow-up and I still need to go for regular check-ups every three months, but am otherwise feeling great. Because I was diagnosed at an early stage, I do not need chemotherapy. My family owes so much to Dr Miller and the surgery team at VGH.

This year, I get to spend Mother’s Day with my daughter. Every occasion to spend time together reminds us both of how the vital care at VGH saved both of our lives.

I hope that you will take a moment to make a donation in honour of your mother or daughter this Mother’s Day.

Please click here to make a donation.

Click here to read part 1 of our story.