I feel like my world has turned a bit upside down since I posted last.
I spent the last two weeks up in Utah caring for my mom and spending much needed time with my family.
My mom had started throwing up the end of January and the doctors thought it might be a stomach virus. After multiple trips to the ER, urgent care and being admitted to the hospital, a colonoscopy, upper GI and CT scan, it was determined that my sweet mom has pancreatic cancer. I have to say I am not a big fan of the "cancer" word. It was difficult, at best, to hear those words coming from the doctors mouth. I must say he was kind, gentle and it was in and of itself, a rather spiritual moment. I was grateful for Dr Neilson and for his understanding of the gospel plan and how that could have an effect of the news he had to deliver. The tumor is situated in a way that it is pushing against the intestinal wall causing a blockage. This is why my mom would get so sick and violently throw up because there was no place for any food or liquid she was consuming to go. It could not get past the blockage. My mom has lost a lot of weight, but the good news is, some of it is starting to come back on :)
After we found out the news of the tumor, we met with the oncologist, Dr Klein (in Bountiful) and she was wonderful as well. Mom has opted to try Chemo treatments, not as a means to cure, but as a means to offer some shrinkage in the tumor so that perhaps actual food could be consumed and could get past the blockage. We are not sure of the outcome of the chemo at this point but do know that positive results could prolong her sweet life.
In the past 2 weeks, she has had a feeding tube placed up through the nose, down past the blockage. It slipped partially out the next day and had to be repositioned again. After that we were up and going with a few minor snags like clogs in the feeding tube (which we have now learned how to work those out) She has an IV pole that the food bags hang from and says that she is tethered to the "mother ship"...the IV pole. Great sense of humor. I lover her so!!
I flew home last monday and since then she has had her first round of Chemo. She did get a little nauseated and tired but other than that, seemed to weather it well. She will have 3 treatments then a week off, then 3 then a week off... I supposed then her oncologist will evaluate how things are going at that point.
I have to say that while I was up at her home, I kept thinking to myself "I should be upset, I should be crying" but the tears did not flow. I suppose that that comes from the spirit. Think of the prayers being offered in her behalf from temple prayer rolls, to family and friends. We are bouyed up by this and are given great strength and comfort in a way that I don't think I have felt before. Perhaps when Nathan was in the hospital many years ago (when he was 10 ) but what a blessing it is to have that now.
I am also grateful for amazing siblings. We all bring our own strengths to the table when it comes to the care of our mother. We can offer many ways to serve her and to care for her. How wonderful it is to see us unified in this purpose!!
I will try to keep posting as events happen.
In other news. Can you believe that Nate will turn 19 this next week? While there are no mission plans yet, I do see signs of growth in him and continue to pray for him to have a soft heart and to have the ability to feel something...anything pertaining to the spirit. If you care to include him in your prayers that would be greatly appreciated.
Kris seems to be aging and leveling up these days as he will be ordained a High Priest this Sunday. He has been called to be the second assistant in HP group. I think it is fabulous and truly preperatory of great things to come forth.
I am currently teaching RS and LOVE teaching the gospel principals lessons. I am also the costume mistress for our ward for the upcoming dance festival for the youth and Kris and I are Stage Managers as well. I am also on the scout committee...but I have no idea really what my job is there yet...it will come :)
Sorry it has been so long since I have posted. Lots going on!!
Love you all!!!
2 comments:
You are strong, Cheryl, and because you have that strength of character, a positive outlook on life, and the Gospel, you are doing well with your mom and family. They are so lucky to have you.
I'm so sorry to hear about your mother. She seems like a wonderful lady, and it's never easy to watch someone we love suffer. I'm glad you were able to spend some time with her.
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