Smarty Mom Stats:
Name: Elizabeth Pinto
Home: Rockland, Maine
Mom to: Jennifer and Greg
Married to: Terry (married for 46 years)
Smarties, we are coming to the end of 2017 and I couldn’t think of a better Smarty Mom to celebrate than my mom, Elizabeth Pinto. We are breaking the rules a bit. She is not local to Charlotte. She lives on the coast of Maine. Once you hear her story, you will see why I decided to break the rules and end the year with her as our Smarty Mom.
Ten years ago, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. She was given one year to live. This news broke me, broke my entire family except my mom. She is a woman of faith and she knew her fight wasn’t over. She has turned that one year into ten and is continuing to fight. 
This is when her journey began…
After constant visits with her internist, an appointment was made with a gastrologist for a colonoscopy. Hoping to find answers, the doctor came back saying it was clear. We were back to the drawing board. After a couple years her internist, once again, ordered a colonoscopy with a new gastrologist and that is when the cancer was discovered. All it took was one small flat head polyp and her life was forever changed. It was determined that the original gastrologist had missed it.
My mom has asked me to keep the interview simple. She loves CSP, she just doesn’t want to waste one second of her time away from her grandchildren during this visit. 
To honor her wishes, I asked her to share with me ten things that have helped her get through her journey.
This is what she said:
1. Faith first. Science second.
2. Laugh, Laugh, Laugh. Always maintain your humor.
3. Don’t let cancer define you. (disability or any other disease)
4. Go for that second opinion and if that doesn’t work, go for a third opinion. I promise it can save your life.
5. Kindness is the best medicine. If you are feeling at your worst, do something for someone else. Send a card, make a phone call, say a prayer…
6. Find your warriors. It doesn’t matter who it is. Their support, prayers, love and encouragement will help you with your fight.
7. Give yourself grace. Learn to say no. You can’t do the things you used to be able to do and that is OK.
8. Celebrate family. Make new memories and reminisce about the old.
9. Let go of anger. Disease does not discriminate. Put the “Why Me?” out of your head.
10. Always give thanks.
Smarties, the one message my mom wants to convey is LIVE your life. Live every day with a generous heart. Open your eyes and see the world around you. Don’t put things off. Create a “Life List” not a bucket list.
Happy New Year, Smarties!
