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News

‘Through it all'

Mother's struggle, daughter's support inspires Breast Cancer Awareness Game

by RUTHIE RODRIGUEZ
The Daily Cougar

Surrounded by a UH softball team in pink jerseys, breast cancer survivor Veronica Nordstrom, mother of UH starting catcher Elaina Nordstrom, threw the ceremonial first pitch to her daughter's waiting glove at Wednesday's Breast Cancer Awareness Game against Texas A&M.

For the two women embracing on the pitcher's mound at Cougar Softball Stadium, the journey through illness and recovery has been an incredible one.

"I tried not to get too emotional," Elaina said. "It was really touching to catch the first pitch from my mom because I love her so much."

Three-and-a-half years ago, Veronica was diagnosed with breast cancer after she noticed a lump in her right breast. 

"It was a shock, a complete shock. I discovered the lump myself in my breast and I went to the doctor immediately, and it was a whirlwind from there," Veronica said. 

After a series of tests, Veronica's lump was found to be cancerous, and soon after, her right breast was removed. Within a month she started chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

"At Stage 2, the doctors felt that the only thing they could do was do a total removal of my right breast," Veronica said. "That was a long year."

This December, Veronica finally received a breast reconstruction surgery after three years.

Coming together with her daughter to promote breast cancer awareness has been a remarkable experience for the 41-year-old Veronica. 

"It is something that I thought I would never do. This is the first time Elaina and I have done anything together," she said. "They called me back and asked me to throw out the first pitch. I was completely honored."

Veronica said her daughter supported her through her illness.

"She's been with me during chemo, radiation -- she actually came home during her Christmas break and spent her whole week and a half away from home taking care of me because I had just had my reconstruction," she said. "So she's seen me through it all."

A silent auction of the softball team's special pink jerseys, among other items, was held during the doubleheader, with the proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure Houston Affiliate.

"It was a fantastic event," UH head coach Kyla Holas said. "I was really pleased with the crowd that came out and what we were able to accomplish for the Komen Foundation."

Wednesday's game drew 912 fans, the largest crowd Cougar Softball Stadium has ever seen.

"It's going be a really nice thing is when they determine the amount of money they raised and see that the University's softball program is the one that put it together," Veronica said. 

Since there was no history of breast cancer in the Nordstrom family, Veronica encourages young women to get tested for breast cancer early on. 

"A regular doctor can teach you how to do a breast exam and it's nothing to be embarrassed (about)," she said. "You've got to do it. It's very important."

Veronica said she wants to see similar events in the future.

"Hopefully this goes on for many years to come," she said. "The sad thing is that you probably find somebody new every year to throw out the pitch, because breast cancer is too common."

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