WHEELCHAIRS AND WALKERS

Well, Mom has never competed in a marathon or even contemplated joining in on the Olympics.  However, she's always been one to encourage her children to always strive to do our best at whatever it is we wanted to do in life.

The doctor has given  precise idea of what we're all dealing with regarding Mom's cancer.  This is a reoccurrence of her colon cancer that she had back in 2001. This cancer has not gotten in to her colon, but instead has found its way in to her bones.  Her right hip has taken the brunt of the attack.  The doctor said that her hip bone is literally riddled with hundreds of hairline fractures. There is nothing that can be done to repair the damage done.  Mom will never be able to walk again.  She still can stand on her left leg, though, so occasionally she'll stand with her walker just to give her body a change of posture.  So, it's wheelchairs and walkers the remainder of her days.

In following her progress with her cancer, she is now done with her radiation treatment that has shrunk the size of the tumor in her hip.  Her pain has lessened a bit giving her more flexibility in being able to enjoy life with her family and friends.

Mom still has to do chemo every other week. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, she spends each morning in to the afternoon at the hospital receiving her treatments.  Rachelle, my daughter stays with her the first 3 hours of her Grandmas 6-hour treatment.  Then Dad stays with her the final 3.  Then on Tuesday, it's only a couple of hours, then on Wednesday even shorter, then she's disconnected from her little bag and left alone for the next week and a half.

She's actually been doing quite well now.  Eating better, getting around in her wheelchair more around the house.  Her voice sounds more chipper and she's getting herself back in to some sort of routine. 

I can hear Dad in the background, "I've been fired!"  No you haven't Dad, you've only had your duties reduced a bit.  It was you who brought Mom back to a form of human being by diligently tending to her every need and beckoning call all hours of the day and night.

Although Mom is doing a lot better, she continues to battle with occasional constipation.  Her doctor told her to get Miralax from the store.  He said that this product doesn't get in to the bloodstream, won't mess with her chemo and doesn't irritate the colon or sphincter muscles.  She's also been having problems keeping any kind of weight on.  In the past 6 months, she's lost over 50 pounds just sitting in the wheelchair.  Gosh, I wish I could do that without any effort.

For now, all is good.  Mom is doing well and getting better.  Her claim is, "By His stripes, I AM healed!"  That should be the claim of everyone because no matter what our illness, no matter how large or small our problem, we are healed by the blood of Christ.  He died so that we may live.