The Servant's Quarters

Living with Mom's Cancer - Day 8

No doubt about it. This is a downer of a day. Not much to do until tomorrow, when we finally learn all about what we're up against. I'm really, really hoping that there won't be any more unanswered questions after tomorrow's oncologist appointment. The not knowing is very unsettling.

Funny thing is that today didn't start out being a bummer. I felt okay coming into the office. But I took a hit late in the morning when I was on my way to a meeting in a Ford building down the street from my office. I had entered the foyer and noticed a small poster on the inside door with a picture of a young woman's face. It looked like a lost person kind of thing. Like this woman had gone missing in the area where I work. As I got closer, I saw at the top that her name was Krystal something or other, and until recently, she worked at Ford. Glancing further down on the notice, I saw that Krystal, age 43 with small children, had just lost her "valiant 5 year battle with breast cancer."

Man.

That was not what I needed to see today. Another sucker punch.

On the plus side, those of you who are lifting us up in prayer will be blessed to know that God is being faithful to take good care of us. He is making a way on this difficult path and clearing away the obstacles. We were very concerned about how to handle Mom's and Dad's needs after the surgery on Thursday. Mom would probably be in the hospital until Sunday or Monday, so she'd be taken care of until next week. And now, thanks to my brother, Dad will get the help that he needs as well. Mark is going to move in Thursday evening and live with Dad through the weekend. Next Monday, Aunt Fran is coming back from Grand Rapids and will again be living with my parents.

Thank you, God, for family members who love and who are willing to sacrifice to bless those who are in need.

I spoke to Mom about an hour ago. Interestingly enough, she sounds like she's having about as good a day as she could under the circumstances. This morning, she attended a class for women who are facing a mastectomy. It sounds like it was kind of a briefing on what to expect and what can be done to address some of the issues that women face after this horrible loss. She had no idea how much support was available and really appreciated hearing about it. The class really blessed her. Without a doubt, the best outcome from this event was the opportunity for Mom to convey to the nurses her concerns about the quality of care she's going to receive this time. Her last stay in the hospital was so bad that she was really worried about having to stay again for an even longer time. She's worried about getting the drugs she will need in a timely manner. She's worried about nurses not answering her call light when she needs them. (That happened. A LOT. We were actually talking about making sure Mom had her cell phone on her at all times just in case she got into some trouble and needed help. That way, she could call me if she couldn't get one of the nurses.) The ladies running the class were very grieved to hear to that a woman who is facing the loss of her breast is so concerned about the care she will receive in their hospital. They've promised Mom that she will be put in a private room on a different floor of the hospital. They've also given her their cards with contact information in case there are any more problems this time around.

This is a huge burden off of her shoulders. And, I think, another example of how God is undertaking to help us during this difficult time.

More later.....