Drawing upon her upbringing during the Great Depression in a large, devout Irish Catholic family, Theresa’s inner strength surged forward. Memories of resilience and faith from her childhood filled her mind, bolstering her resolve in the face of the grim diagnosis.
With a deep breath, a steely determination flashed in her dark brown eyes as she uttered, "Well, schedule the surgery."
Doctor Sedlachek, taken aback, questioned her decision. Her response was resolute: "Do you want to tell my three kids that their mother didn't fight for them? Schedule the damn surgery."
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Doctor Sedlachek quickly arranged for the procedure. Time was of the essence. After the appointment, Theresa wasted no time and headed straight to her best friend and sister, Pat, seeking the support she would need for the tough road ahead.