Sinking In
I went to Florence over the weekend. It was really great to see my family and actually be somewhere that feels like home, because Huntersville certainly is not "home" yet. It was birthday season that took me to Florence though, but timing changed the mood of the weekend, and its finally starting to sink in.
My grandmother (mom's side) has been pretty sick since Thanksgiving. She turned 80 last August, and for a bit I kind of joked that she turned 80 a broke. In August she had a fatty mass removed from her neck/shoulder area, then there was this…then that…and then in December she had her gallbladder out. After each visit to the hospital we thought it was all figured out, and she would feel better for a few days. But symptoms continually returned.
Well, earlier this year a series of tests revealed it was cancer. What kind? They were not sure, but more tests eliminated a few types and a course of action was planned. About 2 weeks ago now she finished up her last radiation treatment. There was a tumor in her neck and one in her stomach. The thought was that good progress was being made, but she just kept getting weaker.
Tuesday last week they took her to the hospital for what we have fondly come to think of as "go go juice' – meaning – an IV to re-hydrate her. They admitted her to run some tests to find out why she was so weak. Friday afternoon we got the news that no one expected, and that is just now beginning to sink in.
The tumor in her stomach did not respond well to the radiation or chemo medications. Either it has grown, or a new one has formed and it is starting to block her large intestine. There is nothing else they can do. We spent the weekend meeting with hospice, and she is scheduled to be discharged this afternoon. I know she is very ready to go home. I am just ready for her to be comfortable, and hope they can make her that way.
It could be three weeks – three months – three years. We just don't know. A lot will depend on how well she eats to keep her strength up, and how the tumor's growth progresses. I just wish I knew what to do…what to say. Right now all I know to do is blog…share some of the burden of learning this, knowing this, and feeling this as it starts to sink in.
My mom is amazing to have dealt with all of this over the past 8 months. I knew she was a strong woman, but she really has been remarkable. I hope now that hospice will be around for assistance that she can relax some and enjoy the time with grandma and take some time for her self. Fortunately, the school year is about over so that burden will be off her shoulders for a few months.
So if you pray, think about, or whatever…now is a good time for us. My grandmother and mom especially.
posted by Leslie @ 6:23 AM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
I will pray for your grandmother and your family.
There is a passage from Corinthians that always comforts me in hard times dealing with the approach of winter.
"Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: "Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Also from Romans
"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
May God heal and comfort your family
I will keep you all in my prayers. Frances is an amazing woman with a spirit to match. My heart goes out to your mom...I have been there.
May God's love and mercy surround your family.
Lori
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