As most of if not all my in real life peeps know – my mom has cancer… again.
This is not my family’s first time with this – and here are my two cents – COME ON! Unfortunately no amount of hating the diagnosis is going to make her better – yes it sucks, but we’ve just got to pick up, stick together and get her through it, because personally, I’m not having it any other way.
For those that don’t know, this is my little family’s 4th visit from the big C. We have had a lot of success, we know the system, we know the questions to ask but in this case knowledge doesn’t necessarily make things easier. However, we do know that it’s the little things that count. Positive energy, prayers you don’t know are happening, chocolate, visits and hugs – all little things that go a long way.
Unexpectedly, this little blog might just be one of those little things that make it a little easier this time around – that’s right for the first time we’ve got social media on our side and since every little bit helps, I’m going to use it.
If you’re new to this blog because my mom just sent it out to you – welcome. Feel free to look around and get comfortable. You can either make a point to check back in regularly or you can subscribe in the box on the right side and all posts will come directly to your inbox. (If you subscribe you will get an email to confirm your subscription, check your junk mail if it doesn’t come to your inbox – you must do this step to complete the subscription). If you choose to subscribe, you might find yourself with the odd knitting project, or something ridiculous the Boy said, but you’ll also get the latest in updates about my mom.
But Meaghan, won’t this make your blog sad? Why blog about not nice things? Well, this blog is supposed to be an online journal of my life – and quite frankly – life is clearly not always rainbows and sunshine. So it’s logical the blog would follow. More than that though, my hope is we get 2 perks from blogging: 1. Consistent information told straight from the source. 2. Easing the number of phone calls that both mom and our wonderful key family members and friends get asking for new details – not to say that phone calls are not welcome, just this way we don’t have to have the same conversation 55 times.
So strap in – for those readers that have commented I’ve been slacking off for the last little while year or so – I’m back. And when I’m stressy I do 2 things, I knit and I write. The five sweaters that I’ve sewn together in the last two weeks can attest to the first part, and this little blog will inevitably get more attention too.
To start – the details. Next post – the updates.
The short version – My mom fainted about 6 weeks ago in a grocery store. She thought it was because she hadn’t had much to eat that day and it was 30 degrees outside. EMS came but she refused to go to the emergency room, instead she called me and I brought her home for a chocolate milk and a lie down. She fainted again that night and when my dad said “can we go to the hospital now?” her response was “well, probably – but first get the blood pressure cuff.” When her blood pressure was in the tank she allowed a 911 call, and by the time they got there she was vomiting blood.
FYI – that’s not good.
To the hospital they went, where they treated her for an ulcer. Everything looked good. Until it wasn’t. Yada Yada Yada, she bled out, yada yada, it was a very good thing she was already in the hospital, yada, they sent her home 5 days later and her biopsy to the lab.
We waited.
And waited.
And kind of forgot.
Until they didn’t have results. Then mom booked an appointment with our family doctor.
Then we got first results. Stomach cancer.
Then we said some not nice words.
For anyone that hasn’t done this before, let me tell you – so far in all our times with this – this is the WORST part. Knowing, but not knowing how bad, or where, or what, or how fast, or where else. When all you’re left with is a whole bunch of questions and your mind is left to wander into the terrible world of ‘what if’ – it’s awful.
Last weekend she had her CT Scan, and on Monday she saw the surgeon at Sunnybrook. Stomach cancer, and that’s it. It doesn’t appear to be anywhere else, there aren’t any glowing node areas (although lymph-nodes can’t be truly known until dissection after surgery). The plan, 3 rounds of chemo, surgery (leaving her with 40-60% of her stomach), followed by 3 more rounds of chemo. Followed by all better. Forever.
The not so good news, the cancer is at the base of the stomach and the exit point is very narrow. She is at high risk for obstruction and is on a liquid diet starting immediately. Since the chemo will first expand the cells before destroying them – it’s possible that she will not be able to get through the full 3 rounds before running into trouble. If she is obstructed, they will stop the chemo and do emergency surgery followed by more chemo. Followed by all better. Forever.
So that’s where we are – for one post anyway. I’ll do my best to keep it as up to date as possible. And I’ll also really try to inject this little blog with some happy along the way.
How you can help today – Positive healing thoughts are always welcome.
Message from Mom – Thank you everyone for all of your love and support – we really appreciate it.
The Ginger & The Giant 