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A Witness To Suffering, Strength

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 21, 2007

My first encounter with Michelle Bradley-Carley was an early morning in February. Michelle was halfway through her first chemotherapy regimen. We spoke about her battle with cancer, and about her having just turned 35.

Typically, breast cancer attacks women much older - women who wonder how much time they have left to spend with their grandchildren. Michelle wonders how much time she has with her 2-year-old son, Ashton, and husband, Tom.

I told Michelle I would be coming by early to follow her and her husband to chemotherapy. I remember walking into their modest home and finding Michelle with her arms wrapped around Ashton, planting kisses on his cheeks. I made a quick photo and settled in. The scene reminded me of my family.

I did not know then that I would be spending so much time with Michelle, her family and her many doctors. In the months since, I have spent countless hours with her. I have seen what Stage 3 breast cancer does to a woman's body. I have seen Michelle crashed out on her couch, unable to move; seen her cry when she endured chemo treatments; watched nurses inject dye into her breasts, and then watched a surgeon remove her breasts completely.

In the past eight months, I have watched Michelle change, but one thing has remained constant: her love for her family.

Chris Urso

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