I've been wanting to write this for a couple weeks now...
July 7th, Mom went in for a regular colonoscopy. She had been diagnosed with diverticulitis and although they expected to find nothing, wanted to do the test to be sure. I was going on my work week like every other. I was thinking of her and feeling bad because she had to go through that uncomfortable procedure but was more looking forward to that coming weekend when she was coming down to be with us for my baptism. Wednesday night Mom called me - her voice was immediately shaky - I asked how the test went and she said "Well, not so good." I think I new right away what that meant.
She told me that they had found a mass; both of us were in tears. All the memories came flooding back from when I found out the bad news that my Dad had cancer.
Mom said that she would meet with the doctor on Monday when he would know the results; either way surgery was coming. Towards the end of our conversation, we agreed to hope for the best and look forward to seeing each other on Friday. Our "goodbye" was filled with tears and the moment I hung up I was overcome with sadness and emotion and I know she was as well.
That weekend Mom came down for my baptism. It was great to see her and it made my baptism all the more special. We didn't talk about it; although it was on all of our minds.
Monday was forever long. I couldn't hardly sit still and got minimal work done. Her appointment was right around 3:00 in the afternoon. I left work about an hour early because I couldn't take it any longer. I waited by the phone and waited and waited. Finally I sent a text to my brother to see if he had talked to her. It was about 7pm and he called me. He said it was cancer. I kept composure - he said she was out to eat with some friends and would probably call me shortly. She did and she sounded stronger than ever. Her voice helped me to keep it together. She said it was cancer and that surgery was going to be in 3 weeks on July 30th. The surgery would be to remove the mass as well as some lymph nodes for biopsy.
Those 3 weeks were the longest 3 weeks!
I drove to Findlay the 29th and surgery was the next morning. That night Mom shared an awesome story with me about her day. She worked half a day and before leaving, the Priest pulled everyone together to pray. First of all, the 29th was Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary and so a special day and, no doubt, she was thinking of him. During the prayer service the Priest read and pray, opened it up to all others to pray and then there was a song. The song was "Yahweh, I Know You Are Near." This was a song they had played at their wedding. Mom said she couldn't help but burst in to tears. There's no doubt in my mind, Dad was sending his love. I was so excited to hear this story.
Friday morning came quick. We had to be there at 9am. We went back with her to be prepped for surgery. She showed no signs of being nervous at all. I, on the other hand, couldn't sit still. And, it was time to go. We prayed over her and said our "goodbyes." I was just thinking "deep breaths. everything will be fine. keep it together. you're good. it's all good. etc. etc. etc." When we walked back out in to the waiting room and her good friend was there to give me a hug and ask how I was - I knew I was scared.
Surgery took about 2 1/2 hours. Mom had the biggest crowd waiting for her. It was so good to feel so much love from everyone.
When the surgery was over we went back to the consultation rooms to talk to the doctor. He said he felt great about the surgery. Everything looked good and he was extremely pleased.
The rest of the day was pretty quiet. We sat in her room with her. She woke up here and there but was out most of the day. Over the next few days, I was amazed at how many people came to see her. She had her own florist in her room!! It's awesome to know how many lives she touches and how many people love her.
We had to leave on Sunday. This was hard. I knew Matthew was going to be with her all week, but I just wanted to be sure she was taken care of and was nervous to leave.
It was hard being in Cincinnati all week. I spoke to her every day though and could tell each day she was getting stronger.
We were all anxious to hear the results of the lymph nodes. Monday, no results; Tuesday, no results; Wednesday, finally results. The news was - out of 31 lymph nodes taken, one was cancerous. Mom, again surprised me by how calm and collected she was. She was at peace. We say it's like the best of the worst news.
The next step is six months of chemotherapy. I pray that she stays just as strong and her spirit never trembles. I pray for a quick six months and that this chemo zaps any bit of cancer left in her body.
