Andrea Swifts Cancer Journey
- Taylor Swift’s mom Andrew Swift, 66, a two-time breast cancer survivor following both a 2015 and 2019 diagnosis, was seen living it up at a recent Eras Tour show in Toronto, Canada, with “The Blue Lagoon” star and fellow mom, Brook Shields.
- We’re happy to see Swift’s mom dancing to her music and making the most of life, especially after she also battled brain tumor that was found in January 2020 amid chemotherapy treatments.
- Facing cancer as a parent can be a challenging task. But having children who depend on you can also provide another reason to fight the disease with everything you’ve got.
- Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin previously wrote for SurvivorNet, that it’s “important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment,” which she said can be an “arduous chapter.”
Shields, who is also a mom of two, like Swift’s mother, shared a heart warming video compilation of the good times they had at the performance, captioning the post, “The very best night with my girls & ‘mama swift’ more to come!!! #erastour #torontotstheerastour @taylorswift.”
Read MoreOverlay text on the video reads, “Eras Tour” and “Mamas gotta stick together.”View this post on Instagram
Other clips showed Shields and her daughters facing the stage embracing the music, something which prompted fans to commented, “A GREAT mother & daughter(s) experience!!”
“Love how you enjoy life, us too,” another fan commented, while a third wrote, “Isn’t it the most amazing experience!?!!!! One of the best memories I’ve ever had with my girls.”
That same concert, another fan took to “X,” formerly Twitter, to show some footage she captioned showing Swift walking off stage after the concert and walking directly into her mom’s arms for a long hug.
Swift’s Toronto shows marks some of the last shows of her 2024 Eras Tour. The last three shows are set for December 6, 7, and 8 in Vancouver.
TAYLOR LEAVING AND HUGGING ANDREA I CRY pic.twitter.com/9Ewpim3QzO
— Carm (she/her) TAYRONTO (@CarmBackBeHere) November 22, 2024
It’s wonderful to see Taylor Swift exuding gratitude as she continues touring with her mom by her side.
The “Shake It Off” singer wrote in an Instagram post, “Our 6 shows in Toronto were so incredible. It was awesome to play in Canada after so much time. As always, the fans in Toronto treated us like it was a hometown show.
“Couldn’t have asked for more love or generosity from the people who came out. I got to play a mashup of the *Grammy nominated* song ‘us’ with @gracieabrams, mashed up with ‘Out of the Woods’ and I just adore her. She’s been giving the most amazing performances every night on this tour!!”
She continued, “The emotions have gotten pretty heightened for me and the rest of the team because it’s gotten extremely real for us: Our next city will be the last one of The Eras Tour, and the closing of the most extraordinary chapter of my life so far. See you [soon], Vancouver. We can’t wait to give you all we’ve got for three more shows.
“AND for all International fans, I’m excited to tell you The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology will be available to you online starting 29 Nov at 1pm GMT along with The Official Eras Tour Book starting 7 Dec at 1pm GMT.”
View this post on Instagram
Andrea Swift’s Battles with Cancer
Andrea Swift is a two-time cancer survivor following her first breast cancer diagnosis in 2015 and then again in 2019. She also dealt with a brain tumor doctors discovered while she was undergoing chemotherapy.
After sharing her mom’s diagnosis on social media with her fans, Taylor noted that her mom “may not be at as many shows” to focus on her cancer treatment, entertainment media outlet Distractify reports.
“The symptoms of what a person goes through when they have a brain tumor is nothing like what we’ve ever been through with her cancer before. So it’s just been a really hard time for us as a family,” Taylor Swift told Variety in an earlier interview.
The specifics about Andrea’s breast cancer and the status of her ongoing treatment remain unknown, but one thing is for sure — she’s not letting her previous cancer diagnoses prevent her from taking part in their daughter’s eventful life.
Although the “Anti-Hero” singer hasn’t revealed explicit details about her mom’s diagnosis, it’s important to understand that metastatic breast cancer often presents as a recurrence of a prior early-stage breast cancer, although it can be a new diagnosis.
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Back in 2015, the year Andrea was first diagnosed with breast cancer, Taylor’s mom presented her daughter with The Milestone Award at The Academy of Country Music Awards.
“I’ve watched this milestone artist from the time she was a tangled hair little girl growing up on our farm, full of imagination and creativity,” Andrea told the crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in what was her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis. “And ever since then, her favorite thing in the world to do has been to write a song, tell a story, play a guitar, or a piano,” Andrea said. “And I’ve seen those things carry her through every emotion, every experience in her life. Good or bad.”
She continued, “Every once in a while, her dad or I find ourselves to be the subject of those songs. Sometimes we’re merely the inspiration. Like the time she was 17 years old and her dad and I strongly disapproved of a young man, and rightfully so. But she was mad, she was real mad, and she went to her room and she closed the door. She came out about an hour later with a song called ‘Love Story.’”
Taylor’s parents have been incredibly influential in her success and she doesn’t shy away from giving her mom credit whenever possible. During her mom’s breast cancer battle, Taylor wrote a song dedicated to her mom called “The Best Day.” The lyrics include the notable line, “…And I love you for giving me your eyes. Staying back and watching me shine…”
Another song dedicated to Andrea includes, “Soon You’ll Get Better.”
Taylor told a crowd at the Global Citizen’s “One World, Together at Home” concert in 2020, “That’s a song I don’t know if I’ll ever play it live. It’s just really difficult for me. It was hard to write. It’s hard to sing. It’s hard to listen to for me,” CNN reported.
Resilience: Navigating Life’s Curveballs
Accepting that cancer is something that just happens, and it’s not your fault, is a big part of coming to terms with the disease. Breast cancer survivor Heather Maloney said simply trying to enjoy her life, even on chemo days, made a big difference when she was facing the disease.
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“Find moments of gratitude, and you will get through it,” Maloney told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview. “Not everybody does, but we all do eventually see an ending to it.”
“Life is hard for everybody, but I’m able to more readily and easily access a level of gratitude about being alive. I’m lucky to be alive today,” she added.
Finding Support Through Cancer & The Power of Positivity
Feeling support from a friends and family can help you express your feelings and maintain a positive attitude during or after a cancer battle.
Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin previously wrote for SurvivorNet, that it’s “important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment,” which she said can be an “arduous chapter.”
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That being said, it’s very important to know your limits on what you can handle during treatment.
“Going through treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience,” she wrote. “Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment.”
When faced with a cancer battle, whether you’re an adult or a child, it can be difficult to focus on life outside of your disease. However, it’s important to remember that your mental state can actually impact your success as a patient.
“I’m pretty good at telling what kind of patients are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease,” Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet. “And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life.”
Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology, also advocates for cancer warriors to prioritize their mental health. She noted that emotional well-being has been studied as a factor in patient outcomes.
“We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes,” Dr. Chase told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.
“So, working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment [and] your emotional well-being are important and can impact your survival. If that’s related to what activities you do that bring you joy, then you should try to do more of those activities.”
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According to Dr. Chase says doing things that bring you joy is important, and there’s no right or wrong ways to do so. Paying attention to your emotional health could look like spending time with friends and dancing. Others might turn to painting, writing, watching movies, or playing sports.
Dr. Chase recommends writing down ten things that make you happy and intentionally making the time to do those activities throughout the day.
“Sometimes I will talk to a patient about making [a] list of the top ten things that bring them joy,” Chase says. “And trying to do those ten things, to make at least 50 percent of their experiences positive throughout the day.”
“Sometimes I will talk to a patient about making [a] list of the top ten things that bring them joy,” Chase says. “And trying to do those ten things, to make at least 50 percent of their experiences positive throughout the day.”
Coping with a Difficult Diagnosis
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is undoubtedly one of the most challenging moments in a person’s life. It’s essential to remember that you are not alone. Many resources and support systems are available to help you cope with this diagnosis and navigate your treatment journey.
Here is some practical guidance on how to move forward from SurvivorNet’s experts:
- Seek Support: Reach out to support groups, both in-person and online. Connecting with others who are going through similar experiences can provide comfort and practical advice.
- Communicate with Your Healthcare Team: Your doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are there to help you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, express your concerns, and discuss your treatment options. Understanding your treatment plan can empower you and alleviate some of your anxiety.
- Take Care of Your Mental Health: Coping with cancer is not just a physical battle but an emotional one as well. Consider speaking with a counselor or therapist who specializes in cancer care. Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and gentle exercise can also help manage stress and improve your overall well-being.
- Educate Yourself: Knowledge is power. Educate yourself about your specific type of breast cancer and the treatments available. Reliable sources of information can include your healthcare team, reputable cancer organizations, and medical literature.
- Lean on Loved Ones: Your family and friends want to support you. Let them know how they can help, whether it’s accompanying you to appointments, helping with daily tasks, or simply being there to listen.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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