My Mom asked to blog about what it is like to be here right now. We have been here in Colorado for a little over a week, and I have watched my Mom get a little less tired and a little stronger each day.
When we first arrived my Mom's voice sounded weak-- not as weak as it was in the early days (when I spoke with her on the phone), but much softer and break-ier than it is now. She took a couple naps each day (how she did it I don't know-- Tyler makes more noise than monkeys in a marching band) and she went to bed around 8 pm.
My Mom can't walk very well because she is so weak. My Dad prepares all of her meals and snacks and makes her several cups of tea each day. She asked me to make some soups because they are easy to digest. So far we've had chicken and rice, lentil, tomato, potato, and hamburger soup :) My mom spends the majority of her day in a blue recliner; she reads, naps, and watches TV from that spot. When she goes shopping somewhere with my dad, she asks for a wheelchair; if they don't have one she sits in the car.
Before this visit, I talked to my Mom on the phone, read her blog, asked questions, and endlessly thought about what it would be like to see her in this condition. Of course, nothing could have prepared me for it. It was a bit overwhelming at first. I have never seen my Mom so helpless or dependent on anyone. It brought me to tears each day as I wondered what I could do to help her through this; how could I help get this cancer out and away from my Mom?
I don't think anyone can "come to terms" with their parent being sick; it's just a gut-wrenching from the day you hear the news until the day you hope to hear that it's all over. But I must say that watching my Mom gain so much strength in the last week has given her and everyone else a positive lift and a better outlook for what will come in the months ahead.
On Thursday, my Mom, Alice and I went to my Mom's hydration appointment. It is the same place as where she receives her chemotherapy every two weeks. Since it was a hydration day, we were only there for a couple of hours. My Mom and I talked while she got her IV drip through her Power Port.
This is a picture of my Mom at the hydration appointment, and it is the same room as she will receive her chemotherapy tomorrow. Of course, she will be there a lot longer than she was there for hydration. We are all hopeful that she will be a little stronger after this round of chemo than she was the last time. There has been so much improvement that I think it would be really frustrating for her to be back where she was two weeks ago.
Today is Monday. My Mom told my Dad today that she feels like she has "turned a corner." She hasn't taken a nap in a couple days, and she seems well-rested and energetic. Keep praying for her because it's working!
Wow, thanks for sharing & updating us on how your Mom is doing. Marilyn, I am so encouraged to hear you have turned a corner. When we have felt so weak and fatigued, it really is a perk-me-up to feel better; it is good to feel good! One thing I've learned after recovering from cancer is is how much we take for granted our energy levels and feeling good! So now I count each day a gift and am so thankful to feel good and actually have energy! Thanks for your daughter's heartfelt sincere thoughts and words of encouragement alongside you on your journey. Much love and prayers sent your way, Linda & Mike I.
ReplyDeleteP.S. By the way Marilyn, you look great in your picture; you still have that same wonderful smile!!
ReplyDeleteKeep smiling! Linda & Mike I.
Dear Marilyn and loved ones,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the update. I admit I cried, but the picture helped pull me out of it. It's all like I imagined - really, really difficult - but you look good so getting both pieces of information is appreciated. You are right, Kathleen, about your mother. Marilyn, I have always thought that you were one of the strongest, most independent women I have ever met. I admire that about you, and it seems to me that those qualities will certainly help through all of this.
As always, I hope and pray for your strength and healing. I bet John and your girls are the best medicine.
Love you.
Ann