<p>I know this essay will need a lot of work but I would love for some advice! My number one school is UCLA so I need all the help I can get. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>The start of my sophomore year my world came crashing down. I had been hearing hushed whispers and discreet phone calls for months, yet I never asked what any of it was about, I was scared to know. Then one day while cleaning the house, I came across a pamphlet on how to deal with cancer. I told myself it was just a coincidence, but the envelope of assorted doctor’s notes and hospital papers proved me otherwise. The next day, while driving with my father I asked if my Mother had been diagnosed with cancer. He said yes. I didn’t say anything as I blankly stared at the road ahead of me, my mind numb to all emotion. It became an issue that I refused to talk or hear about, and the constant apologies and sympathy from relatives only made matters worse. My life now had to be planned around a never ending schedule of doctors appointments; having friends over became restricted. As much as I tried to pretend everything was okay, the tears I shed nearly every day after school told me it wasn’t. I was angry that a sickness would take place during such a crucial part of my life, and as a result I pushed away what I thought to be the problem, my Mom. I went out as often as possible and stayed the night anywhere I could. I didn’t have to think about cancer when I wasn’t home. On July 20th, 2011, my Mom underwent a major surgery in which they attempted to remove all the cancer out of the bladder. Twelve hours after her surgical appointment, we were informed that the procedure went as planned. I walked into the intensive care unit and saw the woman that has taken care of me all my life barely able to eat and hooked up to countless machines. I begged my dad to let me leave, the image was unbearable. My Mom soon came home, but she was bedridden and incapable of doing the simplest of tasks. I continued to ignore the situation and stayed home only when forced to. After a long two month recovery, the Doctors reported that the operation was successful; the cancer was gone. Everything slowly started to go back to normal, the appointments ceased and my Mom was able to care for me once more. As frightening as experiencing a loved one suffer such a life threatening disease was, it helped me grow as a person. I regret nothing more than not being there for my Mom when she needed me, however this experience has taught me to be compassionate and value every day and value not only every moment, but each person in my life . My Mom and I have strengthened our relationship since this point and I am grateful that she has lived to see my hard work start to pay off. She has motivated me to be successful in life so that one day I will finally be able to care for her, like I should’ve, and repay her for all her love and nurture.</p>