Benefit scheduled for mom with cancer

Until about three months ago, Theresa Tracy’s schedule was filled with work, church, driving her children to various sports practices and games and being a mom and wife. Now, she must find time for chemotherapy.

Tracy, a 43-year-old mother of three, was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer May 5.

“I don’t feel sick and I don’t think I look sick, so I think the more positive I am about it, the easier it is to get through it,” Tracy said. “It’s hard for me to believe I’m sick other than I go for treatment every week and my hair’s gone.”

The cancer has metastasized to her liver and stomach. Tracy is currently undergoing treatment at Illinois Cancer Care.

“I just had my 11th treatment,” she said. “I’m on my last scheduled three treatments and then they’ll reevaluate after that.”

She said treatments have been “pretty good.” Her body has been responding well. Scans performed between her seventh and eighth treatment showed that the tumors had decreased in size by 12 percent.

Although her cancer is inoperable and incurable, Tracy said she does not read up on it and is hopeful that her young age will give her an advantage.

“I think it’s just statistics,” she said. “The type of cancer I have, normally people get in their 60s, and I’m 43, so I feel like maybe I have a better chance of beating it.”

Tracy is also participating in a clinical trial with a drug called abraxane, which has shown favorable results for breast cancer patients in the past.

Tracy has been married to her husband Tony for 19 years. She is mother to Nia, 13; Max, 11; and Sam, 8.
She said it is the support she has received from her family, friends, members of St. Patrick Church and the community that has helped her through her struggle with cancer.

“There are times that I get down,” she said. “But, you know, I have three kids and it’s summer and so I’ve been home with them. And they’re all involved in sports and stuff, so there’s a lot of running around. It keeps me busy, definitely keeps me getting up and going.”

Tracy said she is trying to keep a positive attitude.

“My husband was very instrumental in that,” she said. “When I was first diagnosed we cried a lot and came to terms with it. He’s like, ‘We’re not going to cry anymore. We’re going to live and get through this.’

He always talks about it like it’s us getting though it, not just me.”

Tracy said the toughest part for her husband is trying to stay strong for her.

“I told him, ‘I need you to be strong for me,’” she said. “I think he puts on a brave face for me and probably internalizes a lot of it.”

While he does keep some of his emotions within, Tony Tracy has been there for his wife emotionally and helped her deal with the hair loss she experienced from chemotherapy.

“He shaved his head for me, so we’re both bald,” she said.

Friends and family have formed “Team Tracy.” They have planned a benefit called, “Knock cancer out of the park!” It is Sept. 4 at St. Patrick School. A day filled with family fun will be from noon to 3 p.m. with events including bounce houses, face painting, karaoke and a Locks of Love cut-a-thon. From 6 p.m. to midnight, adult-only festivities are planned. There will be games, food, beverages, auctions, music and dancing.

Many of the activities are free. All proceeds will be used to help the Tracy family offset medical and household expenses.

“It’s been unbelievable the amount of support we’ve received,” Tracy said.

In the meantime, Tracy is keeping positive goals.

“I want to live to see my grandchildren,” she said with a smile.