Mom-Of-8 Battling Stage 3 Breast Cancer Breaks Down After Heartbreaking Call From Son’s School Nurse
A 43-year-old mother of eight from Maryland, is fighting stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of the disease.
Misty De La Cruz was diagnosed in September 2024 after discovering a lump during a routine self-exam.
Misty has been open with her children about the journey she’s on. But no level of honesty could fully prepare her for a recent, gut-wrenching moment.
In May 2025, Misty received an unexpected call from her 10-year-old son’s elementary school nurse. The nurse gently explained that her son often appears exhausted during the day and had confided that he’s afraid to fall asleep at night — terrified he might wake up to find his mother gone.
The heartbreaking call left Misty in tears. She filmed her emotional reaction and posted it to TikTok, where the video has since been viewed over 3 million times. She tells PEOPLE exclusively:
“It’s one of those calls no parent ever wants to receive. It felt like someone knocked the wind out of me. All I could do was cry.”
Since her diagnosis, De La Cruz has worked to maintain a sense of stability and normalcy at home. But the toll of cancer — physically, emotionally, and financially — touches every part of her life.
She spoke candidly with her older children soon after her diagnosis, while it took more time and care to have that conversation with her younger ones.
She recalls:
“When I finally sat down with my son, he cried. The only thing he asked was if I was going to die. I told him the doctors were doing everything they could, and so was I. But I also had to be honest — there are no promises.”
Now receiving heavy treatment, Misty struggles with tasks she once managed effortlessly. Chemotherapy and injections have left her with neuropathy, bone pain, and extreme fatigue. She says:
“There are days I can’t even wash myself without help. At 42, I needed a walker just to stand. You lose all sense of pride or embarrassment.”
She’s also had to miss milestones — school events, sports games — because her weakened immune system makes her vulnerable to illness.
“I feel like a burden. Helpless. Useless,” she says, holding back tears.
That’s why the call from the school nurse struck so deeply. It wasn’t just about her own suffering — it was about what her children were quietly carrying. She continues:
“They’ve been so strong. But that call reminded me they’re scared too. They just don’t always know how to say it.”
When her son got home, they had a long, honest conversation and agreed that therapy would be helpful. Misty has made it clear to all her children that she’s open to them seeing a counsellor whenever they need to.
“I don’t believe in hiding things from them. We talk about everything — my survival odds, how life is changing. But even with all the openness, you can still see the fear in their eyes.”
Through it all, Misty says the most important lesson she’s learned is to accept help — something she struggled with in the beginning.
“I used to be fiercely independent. But I’ve realized asking for help doesn’t make you weak. It just makes you human. Even the strongest need support.”
Misty has also opened up about the financial toll cancer has taken on her family. From treatment costs to lost income, the burden has been overwhelming. She started a GoFundMe to help avoid losing her home.
“People assume once you beat cancer, it’s over. But the emotional, mental, and financial aftermath? That can last forever.”
To anyone else walking the same path, Misty offers this:
“Be honest. Let your kids ask questions. Let them grieve, because this is a grieving process — for the life you once had.”
“And if you need help,” she adds, “Ask. Speak up. You’re not alone.”
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