This is my mom, on her 81st birthday, almost a year ago. Since then, she was diagnosed with cancer. Many of you who visit often, may remember the posts I wrote on this blog in June of this year, when I was staying with mom and dad through the earlier stages of her recovery from surgery and the beginning of her chemotherapy treatments.
From May to now, our family has gone into the "let's understand and work against this disease" mode. My dad, through it all, has been extremely patient and strong. He has been the round the clock caregiver, housekeeper, cook, keeper of the medicine and transporter, now one has to understand - this is my dad, from the generation of - the "wife does all that stuff". I delighted in the fact, in the last few months when I would visit he was in command of (for example) cooking a full breakfast (not that I wouldn't have done it, but..) cleaning up - along with making sure my mom had what she needed - and that included many things that a lot of men wouldn't want to do. To make matters a little more challenging (you know it's never that easy), mom fell and broke her wrist about 3 weeks ago and I know she will struggle for some time with the ever present effects of chemotherapy. But.....
We just got the news - MOM IS NOW CANCER FREE!!! Thanks for all you kind words and well wishes and prayers. It's nice to have support through these times. Our family is elated and looking forward to a future where we can have our mom back again. Through it all, she has hung in there. Cancer sucks. I was not surprised by the number of people I would talk to, who knew of someone who had battled this also. Hopefully, the incidence of cancer will continue to decrease nationally and globally.
On TV this morning, 'Sting' commented:
"Winter is important to us, to reflect on what's happened to us in the past year
and to look forward to the Spring."
I am looking forward to that reflection time and beyond...and I know now....my mom is, too!!
7 comments:
What a great reason to be thankful and rejoice. I am so happy for your good news! Thank God for this healing and all the hard work she and your family have been able to continue to be strong going thru all of this. I smile greatly with you!
WOOOOHHOOOOOO! Congratulations to your whole entire family! This i cause for celebration!
Thanks Ellen and Victoria!
Oh, you must be so relieved, Pattie. I'm very happy to hear your news. Thank you for the reminder to be aware and grateful for each day.
Pattie, I am leaving today to go on my annual Christmas shopping trip with my mother. She just turned 74. The last couple of years it has been so busy at this time of year with fall shows and things going on, that it would have been easy to let our annual trip go by the wayside. But I always say that no matter how busy we are we need to TAKE the time to do it because we never know when will be our last opportunity to experience it. Just yesterday I was thinking how lucky we are that we are still able to do this together. Yes, I need to be painting, but I need to go see my mother more.
Congratulations to you mother! I am so happy for you and your family!
What a blessing to hear your mom is cancer free and to read your post. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Susan, Lorrie and Karen. Lorrie, yes, how lucky we can still be with our moms. I can't wait til mine feels good enough to go OUT again.
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