The Basics - By Jess

When you hear people say life did a 180 on them, well I feel like life left us on another planet THEN did a 180 on us.  About 6 months ago mom went to the doctor because we made her paranoid that she had a blood clot.  The result of this visit was weeks of many test.  Everything they tested for came back just a little off but nothing they could pin point.  Then they said the word CANCER and of course it’s like hitting a wall at a dead run.  She was referred to a cancer specialist who did of course more test, leaving her holding her breath every day waiting for results.   When he felt like he had covered all the bases he told mom that she had a small spot on one of her rib bones but after doing a bone marrow test he was confident that she was fine and just wanted to follow up in about 6 months to make sure it had not grown.  Relief and gratitude were overflowing feeling like we has dodged that bullet that left us holding our breath and praying for a miracle.  Just having thought that she may have cancer totally changed how mom viewed things and how she spent her time.

  Well our miracle apparently hasn’t happened yet, because  four months later mom still wasn’t feeling great and was sure it was something to do with her digestive system or something related to that.  She again went to the doctor, he ordered her a scan and a day later again the word CANCER.  This time there was no question that it was cancer and within four months it has spread from a small spot on a rib to a bigger spot on her rib, lymph nodes and her lungs.  I honestly cannot begin to imagine what mom was feeling, I know that for me personally just hearing the word cancer makes me feel like you have been handed a written death certificate.  The phrase “takes your breath away” is totally relevant.   Over the last two weeks mom has been forced into a completely different world, honestly every day test of trying to decide exactly what kind of cancer she had and where it was coming from.  She has a VERY rare form of breast cancer that is un detectable by mammograms and normal tests.  Because it is spread through her lymph system it isn’t just a tumor that can be removed surgically.  Until next week we don’t know exactly what the future holds but she is having a port put in today for chemo and iv treatments.  Her day to day life has been totally taken out of her control and I can’t even fathom what that must feel like. 

My mom is honestly the strongest person I know and can and will fight this and win.  Because her kids and everyone who loves her has depended on her forever cannot and will not let her leave us, we will now let her depend on us!!   We started this blog to keep everyone who knows and loves our incredible mom updated with what is going on.  I know she is facing a mountain and this will be the easiest way to keep everyone informed without exhausting herself, but please don’t hesitate to call or text her so she knows that your thinking about her.  Now it is time for a miracle and someone said to me” Miracles happen, and if anyone deserves one it’s your mom”  I couldn’t agree more!!