Mother of 8 with Aggressive Cancer Receives a Call That Changed Everything – Her Story Leaves No One Unmoved
A phone call interrupted a dedicated mother of eight who was already in the middle of the battle of her life. The burden of her disease suddenly took on a devastating new form that she had not anticipated.
Misty De La Cruz thought about her kids right away after finding out she had an aggressive type of breast cancer. She was aware that her disease would not only impact her as a wife, mother, and grandma. Her disease would impact every aspect of her family’s existence.
By the time she turned forty-three, chemotherapy had made it difficult for her to walk, almost impossible to cook, and difficult for her to take care of herself. She was not prepared for how profoundly it would affect her youngest child.
When she received a call from her son’s school in May 2025, it became clear to her how much her illness had changed their everyday lives. De La Cruz decided to tackle the full-time struggle of juggling treatment, housework, and emotional consequences with candor, openness, and a camera rolling. Her narrative has profoundly touched millions.
De La Cruz found a lump in September 2024 while doing one of her regular self-examinations. She paid attention to it. She was diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive and challenging-to-treat type of the illness, following testing that would change the trajectory of her life.
Approximately 15% of all cases of breast cancer are triple-negative. The three main receptors that normally promote tumor growth—estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)—are absent in this kind, in contrast to the majority.
Without these targets, there are fewer alternatives for treatment, and the cancer frequently spreads and grows faster.
De La Cruz subsequently tested positive for hereditary mutations in the breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) or breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), which are frequently connected to TNBC. A lump or mass, which may be firm, painless, and have uneven edges, is frequently the initial indication of breast cancer. However, not all indications are straightforward.
The American Cancer Society states that further symptoms could include pain, nipple discharge, swelling, skin dimpling, or changes in the look of the nipples. The diagnosis was just the start for De La Cruz. The physical and psychological difficulties that would ensue, along with the burdensome duty of explaining everything to her kids, became apparent as the reality of treatment sank in.
A Child’s Fear and a Mother’s Sincerity
Shortly after receiving her diagnosis, De La Cruz sat down with her older children to explain the situation. She told it as it was. Being a mother of eight and a grandma of two, she believed it was critical to have clarity on the future.
However, the discussion was more weighted and took longer when it came to her 10-year-old son. When she eventually had a one-on-one conversation with him, she gave him a straightforward explanation of what cancer was and how it would impact their day-to-day lives. His reaction was devastating and quick.
“He was crying, and the only thing he asked was if I was going to die,” she said. I made an effort to convince him that the physicians would take every precaution to ensure it didn’t occur. I was going to fight as hard as I could, but in the end, nobody ever promises anything.”
She could see the toll it was taking, though. “It doesn’t take away the fear in a child’s eyes as they watch the person who’s always been the strongest in the household become the weakest,” she continued. Only a few months later, a call from her son’s school would throw that anxiety into stark, public focus, giving that awareness a new significance.
The Phone Call That Hurt Her
De La Cruz got a call from her son’s primary school in May 2025. It had nothing to do with attendance or grades. The nurse at the school had spotted it. The nurse told the staff over the phone that her son had been exhausted in class a lot and had told them what was keeping him up at night.
“He did mention to them that his mom has cancer,” De La Cruz recounted in a May 16 TikTok video, “and that it’s hard for him to sleep, and that sometimes he’s afraid to go to sleep because he thinks that while he’s asleep, I’m going to die.”
She talked candidly about the emotional strain of trying to keep her family together while undergoing treatment in the video. “When I tell you guys, it’s so hard, like when you’re trying to go through and just battle something like this, and you are still trying to maintain a house and maintain a family and work,” she continued.
“On the outside, people don’t comprehend. This process is so much more than just us fighting cancer. There is far more than most people could ever think of. This is because our children are extremely traumatized,” she said. “It’s not fair,” the caption said. It’s terrible to see my babies suffer, but I can bear this pain.”
Online, the reaction was instantaneous. “I’m gutted for you,” was one of the comments sent by supporters. I apologize so much! 💕” “This broke my heart ❤️🩹 it’s hard,” “This is so so sad 😢😢😢,” “That just broke my heart,” and “This made me cry.” I hope everything works out for you and your family.
De La Cruz explained the effect of the phone conversation in an interview with People. “It’s one of those calls no parent wants to receive,” she stated. “It’s an agonizing feeling. It’s as though someone has snatched away your breath, leaving you unsure of how to react. I was only able to cry.
De La Cruz wants to prepare her kids for what’s ahead, not to protect them from terror. No matter how challenging the topic, she thinks it’s important to be straightforward. She made sure to discuss the incident with her kid when he got home from school that day. She made the decision to continue his therapy.
“I allow my son to ask all of the questions he wants to ask, and I answer them honestly,” she said. “We’ve had open discussions about my chances of survival as well as how it’s going to change our lives.”
The Shocking Truth of Therapy
De La Cruz experienced worsening side effects as her treatment went on. She was physically exhausted from the chemotherapy, which frequently caused symptoms practically right after each treatment. She soon had to use a walker, something she never would have thought she would require in her early 40s, as standing up straight for even brief periods of time proved difficult.
Neuropathy-induced nerve damage caused severe, ongoing pain, and injections caused deep muscle and bone aches that made even simple movements challenging. She required help with even the most basic activities, like taking a shower, on certain days since they were so physically taxing.
De La Cruz made an effort to keep things somewhat normal for her family in spite of her weariness. She achieved this, in part, by continuing a beloved custom: Sunday dinners. “Usually, I’m the one to do all the cooking, but we’ve had to improvise,” she said.
She relied on her kids to help prepare meals because she couldn’t stand for very long, transforming a need into a brief time spent with them. Her sickness, however, did not confine her to the kitchen. It also prevented her from taking care of her kids when they were ill and from going to school functions.
Even minor home infections became a severe risk due to a compromised immune system. She suffered greatly emotionally from not being able to parent as fully as she used to. De La Cruz acknowledged that a combination of loneliness, guilt, and powerlessness was overwhelming him.
The financial stress resulting from the battle with cancer was significant.
De La Cruz had to deal with the psychological and physical toll of cancer in addition to another struggle she hadn’t fully expected. The cost of surviving rapidly increased, and soon the stability of everything she had created for her family was in jeopardy.
Chemotherapy, prescription drugs, and continuing medical treatment left De La Cruz with a debt of about $150,000. Furthermore, the expenses were not decreasing. She was aware that the financial strain would only increase because she still had four procedures to go.
Worse, her teeth were severely damaged by chemotherapy-induced vomiting, and because the necessary dental work was deemed “cosmetic,” the insurance company refused to pay the $45,000 to $65,000 needed to fix the damage.
She started a GoFundMe effort to prevent her family from leaving their house. “Imagine working so hard to build a home only to end up with a diagnosis that could cause you to lose it all,” she stated. The goal was $259,000, and by the end of June, over $65,000 had been raised.
De La Cruz clarified that financial recovery is not a given just because one survives cancer. “Many people fail to understand that just because you physically survive cancer, it doesn’t mean that you emotionally, mentally, or financially survive it,” she said. She keeps concentrating on establishing regular and meaningful times in spite of the difficulties.
Asking for Help and Letting Go of Pride
De La Cruz took immense satisfaction in her independence for a large portion of her life. She had taken care of a home, reared eight kids, and put a lot of effort into keeping everything going. However, cancer altered that. As her illness worsened, she had to face a harsh reality: sometimes letting go of pride and accepting help is necessary to survive.
At first, it was difficult. It was strange to be dependent on other people for transportation, food, or physical care. But as time went on, she realized that asking for assistance was a necessary part of the process rather than a sign of weakness. “It just means you’re human—and even the strongest humans need help,” she continued.
That attitude also applied to her kids. She has made it clear to every one of them that she would make arrangements right away if they ever needed to speak with a therapist or counselor. She came to the realization that neither adult nor child should have to bear the emotional burden of disease alone.
De La Cruz is also aware that mourning isn’t just about dying. “Everyone grieves differently,” she thought thoughtfully. It’s a grieving process, too. Your pre-cancer self will no longer exist. In order to deal with the changes that none of them want, she promotes open communication in her home, whether it be through sadness, anger, or terror.
She used to be the family’s pillar of strength, but these days she depends on her husband, kids, and wider support system to get by. De La Cruz posted a quick update on her GoFundMe website in June 2025. Her children were starting treatment, and she had already had two surgeries.
“I will accept whatever God’s plan is for me, but I wouldn’t wish this pain on anyone,” she wrote. May you all be blessed with health and love.
De La Cruz continues to fight for her house, her health, and the emotional stability of her family. Additionally, she has discovered that healing is a lifelong journey that requires courage, patience, and support every single day rather than a single triumphant moment.
