So many of you have been kind enough to ask about my mom, I thought it would be appropriate to post an update here.
Four and half years ago, ‘Mimi’ was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy followed by months of chemo and radiation treatment. Every step of the way, through a very difficult process, she lived by her motto, “Be a warrior not a worrier.” Mimi has been, and continues to be, an inspiration to my entire family and a wide circle of friends.
Wednesday, after over a week in the hospital from difficult breathing, little strength and back pain, we received the diagnosis. Mom’s cancer has returned. It is moving fast and has spread through her breast and lungs. This time around, chemo, radiation and meds are not treatment options.
My sister and I were blown away by the strength and witness of our mother. Following a long meeting with the doctor my mom turns to me and says, “Honey, death is a part of life. I am ready to face whatever comes.” My mom is a 5′, 96 pound, 80 year old, beautiful and charming woman… in my life and at that moment, I had never been in the presence of a bigger, stronger person. Her strength comes from God who is bigger and stronger than us all.
This morning mom is having the fluid in her lungs drained again and getting a chest tube inserted (pleurex catheter). This will enable her to drain the lung fluid, which is apparently going to continue recurring, on a daily basis so it won’t build up, and that will make her feel so much better, make her breathing better, and help her be able to speak without having to work so hard.
My sister and I need to make a decision about where Mom can go for skilled nursing care as she tries to get stronger so she can go home to her apartment. We have wonderful social workers and hospice care people helping with this, which is a huge relief. Our hope is to get her into a gorgeous facility very close to her home. and not too far from my sis.
An ambulance will take her to wherever her new temporary home will be for however long she has to stay there to build up strength so that she won’t be a ‘fall risk’ if she goes home. That’s all the news for now – she is getting excellent care here at the hospital, but they need to discharge her to nursing care at this point – possibly sometime this coming weekend. She will sure be glad to see the sun and feel the wind again!
My mom, my sister, my children, our entire family and I deeply appreciate your prayers.
“Put on your sword, O mighty warrior! You are so glorious, so majestic!
In your majesty, ride out to victory, defending truth, humility, and justice.
Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!” Proverbs 45: 3,4
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