If you've talked to Mom lately, you may have discovered that she thinks her cancer is back. She had an episode of rectal bleeding, went alone to see Ves, went alone to a specialist who did no sort of examination, and made up her mind that she has cancer. True, Mom could have cancer. She could also have internal hemorrhoids. Hard to know if you don't have a look.
Sister Gayle did some research and then gave Mom a talking to over the phone. Some of the salient points:
- Cancer detection and treatment are much improved in the past 20 years
- Treatment could extend Mom's life by years
- Intestinal cancer is not a nice way to die
- Dying of intestinal cancer would involve people coming into Mom's home to care for her and Dad
- Without Mom, Dad would need to be put in a home or have caregivers or live with one of us
- Mom needs to take me with her to cancer-related appointments
I think it must have been the threat of people coming into the home, but Gayle is now the
Official Family Enforcer. I have never seen Mom so cooperative! She asked me to go with her to see Ves. She asked him for a referral for a colonoscopy. She had me call the doctor's office and we have a consult next Wednesday. Wow!
I'm glad for Mom. Living with what you imagine would be tough. Truth is good.
Thanks, Gwen! I give credit to my sister-in-law, Martha Friz Langer, who had an agressive form of breast cancer in 1994, is alive to tell about it, and wrote a book about her experience, "Soul Biopsy." (available on amazon) She is a Presbyterian pastor, and also just started working part time for a cancer center in southern Indiana, as a nurse. She also took care of her mother, my mother-in-law during her battle with cancer, living at her home the last month giving 24/7 care. So, I appreciate her knowledge which gave me the opportunity to share with Mom!!! We all look forward to finding out what Mom is facing, and then set a path from there. Yes, knowing the truth is much better than imagining in the darkness, even if it is a difficult truth!
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