Mixed News

I think I may have misspelled Agnes. Regardless, we're still going to fight. The PET scan did not show where the "mother ship" was located. Just a few hots spots in the lymph nodes on her neck. On Monday, Mom asked about a blood test that was done several weeks ago - it's the pancreatic cancer marker. It wasn't elevated, which could mean that the cancer didn't originate in the pancreas. But, we still don't know for sure.

There's a possibility the tumor is a result of another type of cancer, which is a bit more hopeful.

Mom will have a transfusion on Thursday morning to prepare her for chemotherapy beginning Friday (GOOD FRIDAY). Significant - could be. There are no coincidences where God is concerned.

She won't lose her hair, which is a good thing; although in way I was looking forward to going shopping for wigs, hats, scarves. What fun that would have been! Not that I think anyone who deals with cancer would think anything about it is fun. But, it doesn't mean that life should come to a standstill. Every waking moment doesn't have to be grim or sad. Enjoy being alive! Enjoy spending time with one another.

I wish this wasn't happening. As I posted on my Facebook status a few days ago, if this is the hand that I'm dealt, well then, let's play cards.

Speaking of cards, Mom & I took on Jeff and my Dad in a game of Hand & Foot. We lead the entire game and came out victorious. Mom is prepared to fight this cancer - to fight that hand she's been dealt - and we will all come out victorious!

Getting back to the chemo - she has her first round on Good Friday. A week later, another round. And, I believe, if she's able to handle the treatment, they'll add something to the therapy. Surgery could be a possibility if the tumor is a different type of cancer. It will depend on her age - and she'll have to travel to have the surgery.

Please pray for: Strength for the chemotherapy. That the treatment will reduce the tumors. Pray for wisdom for the pathologist as he reviews the slides from the liver biopsy. Pray for clear results. Pray that the tumor is from the other type of cancer. Pray that she will be strong to withstand surgery at her age. Pray for time. Pray for strength, comfort and peace for all of us. Thank God for giving us this time to be together as a family. Thank God that tests so far reveal it's not pancreatic cancer.

Sense of Humor

My mom has a wonderful sense of humor. Even in the face of this trial, she finds time to laugh. On Thursday, just before her endoscopy, she told her oncologist to find the "mother ship". I have this image of the "mother ship" from Independence Day. My mom's doctors are Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum and they'll deliver the fatal blow that cripples the "mother ship".

My mom has also named her tumor that was located on her liver. Mom is ready to due battle with Agnus. (My apologies to anyone who is named Agnus or has friends and/or relatives named Agnus). Mom is ready to have the doctors "zap" Agnus.

Wednesday we will know more about the "mother ship".

Until then, please pray for strength, comfort, peace for my mother and our family. Pray for safe travel, clear roads, good weather, no obstacles, no delays.

Tribute to my Mom - Things my Mother taught me

When I started this blog months ago, I didn't really know how I would inaugurate my blog. Call it writer's block. As the events of this week unfolded, a light bulb went off and I knew this would be a great way to start.

Mother's Day is fast approaching. And, if the schedule holds true, it will be the end of the second round of my mother's chemotherapy treatment. She's been diagnosed with cancer. What kind, we don't know yet. We just know it has metastasized to her liver and one of her lymph nodes.

With that in mind, and with the phone calls, emails and personal visits I've had since I let friends know of my mother's diagnosis, they've asked me to keep them updated. As such, I decided I would start my blog with a tribute to my mother. So, I've jotted down more than 20 things my mother taught me. Granted, some of this she may have borrowed from other sources, but she passed them along to me. These are in no particular order.

1. Look both ways before you cross the street.

2. Always wear clean underwear.

3. Pick your battles.

4. Share.

5. Be nice.

6. Do your best.

7. You're never too old to learn.

8. Say please, thank you and I'm sorry and actually mean them.

9. Take care of the things you have; they'll last longer. (In no way am I saying things are more important than people. Nor am I saying you should put plastic on the carpet or furniture, but if that's your thing - so be it.)

10. You can't change someone else, you can only change yourself.

11. You're not any better than anyone else.

12. Don't cry over spilt milk.

13. Don't chew food with your mouth open.

14. Use both hands - be careful.

15. Don't embarrass yourself (or your parents/family).

16. Watch where you're going.

17. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Choose your words carefully.

18. Treat others they way you want to be treated.

19. Be content with what you have.

20. If you haven't worn it, touched it, played with it, smelled it, used it (or more) in a year, get rid of it. (Donate it).

21. Don't bite off more than you can chew.

22. Clean up after yourself.

23. Make the most of every opportunity.

24. Nourish your relationships. Spend quality time with friends and family.