I follow a fair share of influencers on social media. More specifically on Instagram; Facebook is just a bit too much for me for the most part. Pictures with an occasional blog entry and some music are much more my speed.

For our non-social media readers, “Influencers” are indeed a thing. Regardless of how ridiculous many may think it is, for many it is a viable and profitable way to earn a living. “Influencers” do simply that. They share with their audience (aka followers) thoughts, opinions and reviews on anything from face cream, baby products, to protein drinks.

In addition to sharing thoughts and opinions on products, some also share life experiences which others may find relatable. This can be anything from weight loss, fitness, entrepreneurship or disease.

The latter would be the influencers which have most of my attention. While I still have my fair share of health and fitness pages I follow, the shift in my life in 2020 has definitely led me to follow doctors, alternative healers, homeopathic experts and yes, people like myself who are faced with a cancer diagnosis.

Getting straight to it, there is so much information a person can easily become overwhelmed.

I recently had someone ask me if I had heard about Ivermectin. I replied yes and we exchanged thoughts on the success of this alternative treatment. The same person, further asked if I had heard that drinking baking soda and honey will shrink cancerous tumors. I had not.

I graciously shared with him if I tried all the things that you should drink or eat to kill cancer, I would have no time left in my day for a regular meal. I further shared while the notion of that seems pretty amazing, when it comes to tumors and cancer it’s truly not that simple. What size is the tumor? What stage is the patient and what type of cancer was this effective on? Because as we all know, cancer is not one size fits all.

But I digress.

The influencers I tend to enjoy most are those like myself. Professional, active women, juggling life with disease along with their family. Moms navigating the disease, obviously I relate to the most.

Most recently, a mom of two was sharing her most recent chapter of living with breast cancer while on a walk with her teenage son.

Listening to her talk about the struggles of recovering from her double mastectomy, I related. As she spoke of her tremendous gratitude for so much of her life, I understood. However it was the final minutes and the simple words of her son, which bought me to tears.

Sharing her thoughts on getting through the tough stuff, to see the sunshine on the other side, she turned to her teen son with a simple question of “What do you say?” Both with tear filled eyes, he said, “Yes. Hell yes.”

In that moment, I thought of my own children and all the children of those affected by cancer. They are without a doubt the true unsung heroes in this journey.

I’ve shared with friends and family time and time again; I can’t imagine what this is like for my children. They were 12 and 15 when the word cancer first entered our family. We have never rung a bell or heard the word “remission.” They have watched their mom go from the epitome of health to a bald, weak patient more than once. Equally they have helped me with a walker, propped my pillows and changed my bandages post-surgery and there have been many.

I share this not for empathy or to have anyone feel sorry for us in any way. We are blessed in the biggest of ways and have a tribe of friends and family who have sat in the trenches with us.

I share because what I came to realize is sometimes so much attention is given to the patient that the true heroes are overlooked. Without the love and care of our families, we simply couldn’t do it and my children, like many others, have been there front and center from day one.

As a mother, I hate this for them and every child who has had to see their parent any way but healthy. It’s a lot. It’s scary. It’s confusing and it sucks. Plain and simple.

Yet somehow as God has chosen the strongest to take on this disease, He has equally prepared their children with an unimaginable strength and grace.

So, what does this all mean really?

Well, thanks to an influencer who I’ll never know personally, I’ve been inspired to give some much overdue praise to the children like mine who got dealt a hand which most know nothing about.

I see you. You are amazing humans who will do good in this world, because of this season so many don’t understand. Your strength is unrivaled, your bravery admirable and the love you show your parent - a true gift.

As someone who has lived this life almost six years now, I can honestly say, I don’t know how I would handle it if it were my mom. Each and every one of you are my heroes.

Hug one another. Live big in the good moments and rest when you can. God bless you all.

Teresa Hammond is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News and The Escalon Times. She may be reached at thammond@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.