The most dreaded word in the English language has reared it’s ugly head again…this time with vengeance! CANCER!! It affected my dad, my aunt, friends and even myself. It has taken the lives of my cousin, a dear friend, a coworker.
And now I have to use that word with my mom. She has been diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer. It is rare – less than2% of all thyroid cancers are this type. It is very aggressive and fast growing. Within 5 days she went from living on her own,driving…to the ER, to being admitted to hospital, having a biopsy done, having a PEG feeding tube placed, to being released to a skilled nursing facility. The future is just taking it day by day. I got a crash course in maneuvering through the healthcare system! Mom is 93 and has been and continues to be a trooper!
And earlier this week cancer took my friend and fellow Pool Bitch, Luanne. I don’t remember when she and Becky started coming to the pool every Saturday and Sunday. It just seems like that’s how we’ve always spent our summer weekends! I said we should start our own Youtube channel – I just know women of a certain age would “get us”! LOL Luanne put up with some all-in-good-fun teasing about her FLIP PHONE!! Becky and I finally brought her into the Smart Phone age! We miss her dearly – there will be an empty chair and a Margarita drank in her honor.
There have been some tough days…but I have gotten and continue to get through them with the help and support of my friends, my kids, and my co-workers. So thankful Zibby and Allison are close. They pop in and see Grandma, bring her pictures, take her laundry. Neil and Melissa have made the not so short trek over with Leah to visit. Becky and Mary have been there with food and drink…and drink! And my co-workers have been there with hugs and understanding as I have changed my hours.
Life is short – no matter what you may think!
Sandwich Diaries 