Thread: The Cherry on the Cake

My mum has been battling cancer since she first got breast cancer in 1993. She was cleared and stayed clear for 13 years, but since 2006, when it first came back, it's been a struggle. First it was a small tumour on her outer lung which was treated with a simple pill, then it was a tumour on her spine which got radio-ed off. Then she had another okay year, but the Christmas after that we found out the one on her outer lung had stopped reacting to the pill and become much more aggressive.

Well since then, nearly 18 months ago, it's been on for young and old. Chemo for the lungs, then after 6 months of that, and total hair loss, they told us "Well those tumours are smaller, but now there's some in her liver". So more chemo on those, and then another crap discovery:

"She's got brain tumours."

Just as all her hair grew back, she had to get radiotherapy for those suckers, which turned her nearly crazy, and she lost all her hair, again.

Then no word for a long time and a break from all treatment.
Finally an answer at the beginning of this year, "Brain tumours aren't shrinking, but at least they aren't growing. Unfortunately everything else is."

So back to chemo she goes. And then a month ago she got pneumonia and was taken to hospital for a broken rib, which she gave herself one night while coughing.

She's been in hospital for nearly a month, and had more radiotherapy, because once the pneumonia cleared it became obvious that the tumours in her lungs were contributing to the cough.



Yesterday my nanna died.
So my mum has to deal with the loss of her mum, on top of everything else.




Bleh.


And just for fun (Because this post is full of fun) here's a pic of my beautiful mother back in her day.

I'm still here; not 27 yet.

I am so very sorry that you and yours are living this hell. You have strength that I don't possess. You are in my prayers.

Wow, she's beautiful.

Keep being strong for her; that's all you can do. I bet you both want to tear the f****** world apart sometimes, because it just isn't fair. You think it'll never happen to someone you love, then it strikes and knocks you on your ass. It's the worst thing to go through, and I'm sorry you have to do it daily. Putting on a brave face is the hardest part, I think; hurts more than the damn disease.

I'm sorry about your nanna. I really do hope everything turns out alright for you all in the end.

I know this'll sound really deficient and won't tantamount to much but, hang in there, LAF.

I feel so sorry for her, the same thing happened to my grand daddy.

Your mum is beautiful, Kath. I'm so sorry about your nan. Like the Fuhrer said and even though we probably all sound lame and pointless, hang in there.

Kath, you look so much like your mom, both beautiful. I'm sorry to hear about your Nanna and about the struggle your mom has been fighting. I know it's difficult, you have my sympathy and my prayers...I wish like everyone here that I could do more.

That is too sad, Kath, and too much. Losing your Nanna and your mom, her mother is...it's so much too much. I only know that from a mother's eyes, I would take anything if I knew it meant my children would be alright. Not that the world works that way. Sending love and light and strength your way. And cyber hugs.

I know from how my real life friends feel that it feels lame to offer mere platitudes, but it helps me a bit, so thanks to all of you.
I actually really needed to just whinge about all this. I act so strong in real life, never let my mum see I'm suffering, nor my siblings.
I like to keep it all together for them and keep them smiling.

So sometimes I just need to let it out.
To add insult to injury, I find the level of emotional exhaustion this has all caused means I do no writing. I hope that will change soon.

Ah geesh, Kath. My thoughts are with you and your mum.

I admire your strength. You can always vent to us, Fox. We're here fore you. *hug*

*Hugs* for all you do and all you're going through, my dear. You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.

To add insult to injury, I find the level of emotional exhaustion this has all caused means I do no writing.

Same thing I said to Ox. Never mind about the writing, Kath. I figure you've got bigger things to worry about than stories.