Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Not Really Surprised

 Had the CT scan and saw the oncologist.  Yep, it is not going away.  This is what Jennifer posted on Facebook and it pretty much says it all.

"Mon had her latest oncologist appointment this last Friday after a recent cat scan  Unfortunately, her cancer is progressing.  It is, officially, the esophageal cancer metastasized, to her lungs, lymph nodes and back on what remains of her pancreas.  No more chemotherapy.  No more radiation.  No more treatments except that which will, in the future, make her comfortable.  Thankfully, the progression that was seen was very minor, and so we are hopeful that we still have quite a bit of time with Mom.  She has been such a warrior the last few years, battling this stupid, unrelenting cancer, and we are all so much the better for the time that we've had with her, and the time we still have to come.  We are looking to the future, making plans and arrangements, but not giving up on the time we have now, living for the present, because it is such a gift.  Mom is the strongest person I've ever known and is facing this chapter of her life with the same resiliency I've seen her face other struggles with, which can be summed up in her favorite phrase...It is what it is"

So, there is nothing much else to say.  I hope I can continue to be the person above.  And, I can not believe the responses the posting received.  I have never really felt that I was worthy and it is beyond belief that, you know, maybe I have been been all along.

You have one life...LIVE IT and always be kind.


Thursday, August 12, 2021

Arizona Trip

It was a great mental health fix, visiting family and friends and seeing old and new places.

Except for two nights I spent the time with Matthew and his family.  Got to wake up with the boys and go to sleep with them.  Enjoyed being with Matt while he was on vacation and sitting, drinking a coffee and talking with Kelley.  And, of course, bowling, golfing, bouncing, movies, shopping, etc.with the boys.   Both of them have grown so much since I moved to Illinois last October.  You realize how much you miss by not being there daily.  Talking and video chatting are just not the same.

Driving back with Ellen went great.  She is easy to travel with.  We basically had an uneventful adventure.  Except for ending up driving so long the second day because (who knew) Iowa's hotels fill up on weekend especially prior to college starting and the end of the pandemic.  Oh yes, and when you travel always plan on eating lunch, you might not find a place opened when you are done driving for the day.  I hope Ellen had a good time as well.