A journey of resilience

MOSES LAKE — In the heart of Moses Lake, Wash., Rebecca Moore faces life anew after a challenging battle with breast cancer. With unwavering strength, she recounts her journey, emphasizing the importance of hope, community, and self-discovery amid adversity. Rebecca’s diagnosis came unexpectedly Aug. 1, 2023, just months after losing her father. 

“I was shocked and devastated,” Rebecca shares, reflecting on the initial chaos that engulfed her. “It felt like my world had completely turned upside down.” 

Despite this turmoil, Rebecca remained determined to educate herself about her illness. However, her knowledge of breast cancer was limited prior to her diagnosis.  

“All I knew was that I needed to get a mammogram every year,” she said, highlighting a critical gap in her understanding.  

With a modest foundation of knowledge, she leaned heavily on her support network, which included family, friends, and organizations like the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation. 

“My daughter, Katie, was my lifeline throughout this entire journey,” Rebecca said, underscoring the vital role of familial support.  

Katie, who stood by her mother during treatment, echoed the sentiment. 

“I was suddenly thrust into being my mom's caregiver, but I realized the importance of taking care of myself, too.”  

Their bond, strengthened through adversity, became a beacon of hope.  

“I felt loved,” Rebecca said, expressing gratitude for the emotional and logistical support she received from Katie and her fiancé, Colby, as well as Katie’s father, Bernie.  

“It was a shared journey, and we all had roles to play,” Rebecca said.  

Throughout her treatment, Rebecca endured countless challenges, including debilitating chemotherapy sessions, surgeries, and the physical and emotional toll of recovery.  

“Being sick was very difficult. I was weak, lethargic, and everything changed,” she said, explaining how her senses were affected by treatment.  

Nonetheless, she recognized that her ordeal was not merely a struggle but an opportunity for profound reflection and personal growth.  

“I learned to cherish the little things in life and to embrace every moment with my loved ones,” she said. 

In discussing her medical experience, Rebecca reflects on her treatment protocol.  

“I underwent 14 rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a lumpectomy and lymph node removal. After that, I started radiation therapy,” she said. “It was a long road, but I followed my oncologist's plan closely.”  

Driven by faith, she articulated a newfound reliance on spirituality.  

“My faith in God became a cornerstone during this journey,” she said. “It provided me with the security that everything would be okay.” 

Moreover, Rebecca's experience prompted a transformative shift in her approach to health and wellness.  

“I started experimenting with healthier cooking,” she said, noting her efforts to cut back on processed foods and sugar. “I’ve been making lots of salads and trying out new recipes to incorporate more vegetables and whole foods into my diet.”  

She now sees life through a renewed lens — an outlook characterized by conscious choices regarding health and happiness. 

Rebecca’s commitment to sharing her story extends beyond personal healing. 

“It’s crucial to raise awareness about breast cancer,” she said. “I want everyone to know the importance of early detection and regular self-exams. I encourage friends to share their experiences and remind them to schedule their mammograms.”  

She believes that communities need open conversations surrounding cancer to mitigate its stigma and foster support networks. 

Katie echoes this sentiment, advocating for not just awareness but community involvement.  

“If you’re not directly experiencing cancer, you can still reach out and support those who are. A simple text or call can mean everything,” she said. “Let them know they’re not alone in their fight.” 

Ultimately, the culmination of Rebecca’s journey has left her poised for new beginnings. As she looks toward the future, her aspirations are infused with positivity.  

“I want to travel and try new things,” she said, saying she recognizes the gift of a second chance. “I’m taking the time to focus on what truly brings joy to my life.” 

Rebecca said she is close to being one year cancer-free, with her November birthday marking the occasion.  

“I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to get help, to get a chance to live my life, to be here for my daughter,” Rebecca said.  

After being several months in remission, Rebecca and her daughter took a trip to Florida to celebrate. During her trip, she met a celebrity dog, Koda the Fluff. Koda’s owner posts content of Koda, a small pup with sunnies, visiting people who are struggling with cancer and providing comfort to them. 

“Koda the Fluff helped me get through this,” Rebecca said. “His videos would make me smile on some of my worst days.” 

Rebecca and her daughter went to the meet and greet and were ultimately hand-picked for a special dinner with Koda.  

“I got to eat a steak dinner with him,” she said. “That was really cool.”  

Rebecca wants to remind those who are currently struggling with cancer that there will be better days and to try to find the light in each of them.  

“Some of the days were really bad,” she said. “I couldn’t get off the couch, I felt awful, just bad. But then I would get a silly text from someone, or see a cute video of Koda, or my daughter would give me a hug, and those challenges would fade for a second. Just remember to find the light, even when it’s really dark.” 

    Rebecca Moore and Koda the Fluff pose for a photo. Moore said Koda helped her find the light in some of her darkest days while she was struggling with breast cancer. She has been in remission for almost a year.
  

    Rebecca Moore, left, said her daughter Katie Moore, right, helped her throughout her cancer journey. Katie and her fiancé helped take care of Rebecca as she was going through treatment.
  

    Rebecca Moore, middle, poses with two of her friends. She said she has become an advocate for women to make sure they are taking the precautionary steps to avoid a breast cancer diagnosis.
  

    Rebecca Moore, right, said she feels like she has the opportunity to restart her life after finding out she was in remission from breast cancer. Moore is currently a student at Big Bend Community College and plans to work in data centers after she graduates. She said her daughter, Katie, left, was a huge help throughout her treatment.