Diagnosis

It is with great reluctance that I write this. My Mom has had something not everyone gets, "a heavenly messenger telling her that her time on earth is coming to a close". This messenger is in the form of Cancer.

She had 10-stomach biopsies done. Thank you to all who fasted and prayed with us that we might find the primary cancer. Even though sometimes I wish we didn't know so much anymore. She has Gastric (Stomach) Cancer. There are no screening for this kind, there is no prevention and there is no cure; not to mention there are no symptoms either. And, since it is in the final stage (has spread to other parts of the body and is in the bones) there is nothing that can be done but prolong her life by only a few months. They gave her months to live, not knowing how many. She has decided to use diet and vitamins to maintain herself and not do more radiation or start chemo because the benefits don't out weigh the side-effects and wouldn't give her any more advantage. She'll continue to receive calcium infusion once a month.

She did say, "I'm glad it wasn't found sooner or I would have had a lot more painful things to go through. I missed having my stomach taken out and possibly on a liquid diet for a few years...I missed surgeries and hospital stays and recoveries". The doctors said they won't do any of those things now because "the cow is already out of the corral" (in the bones). So, there's a positive way to look at this for ya!

 

1 Corinthians 15:21-22

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

 

Throughout this year different thoughts have come to me and now I look back realizing it was the Spirit preparing me for what has and is coming. Not that it makes it a whole lot easier though. And my Mom has mentioned she's had some also ie.."This will probably be my last Christmas at Carr Printing" (back in Dec.) "I should probably be tested for...." but didn't know why. I saw this youtube movie in May and cried (and still do) all the way through it. I thought, "Wow, this girl has gone through a lot". It is too close to home and if I could, I would sing it to my Mom....but I can't. I would have no voice...so, click and listen for yourself. This girl sings for me.

 

 

 

We don't know how long she has, so we're going to make the most of everytime we're with her. She must have some very important work to do on the other side. I pray that she won't go in pain and that she'll watch over us and her grandkids until we meet again. Thank you for all of your love and continued support and notes and letters to her and the phone calls of concern and the visits and many wonderful goodies/treats to eat (the grandkids loved them!). And thank you to all who are supporting my Dad, Andrea, Paul and myself with someone to talk to and a shoulder to cry on.

We love you Mom.

(Mom, I actually hate that you will be reading this. We'll be alright, but you will be sorely missed. We don't know how we'll get over it, but we don't really have a choice, do we? So, don't forget us. Prepare a place for us and we look forward to an Eternal Family....that knowledge is the only thing that's going to keep us going at this point.)

 

Two of my Mom's favorite songs are This Is The Christ and Faith in Every Footstep.

 

Faith in Every Footstep

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1. A marvelous work has begun to come forth among all the children of men.

O ye that embark in the service of God, give heart, mind, and strength unto him;

For prophets have spoken and angels have come to lift the world from sin,

That Christ may reign over all the earth and bless his gathered kin.

Chorus

2. Those marvelous Saints who embraced this great work and shared it in lands far and near;

Who gave all their heart, mind, and strength to the Lord with wisdom and vision so clear;

Now stand as examples of virtue and faith, of souls prepared to hear,

Of knowledge sure, born of humble heart, and love that banished fear.

Chorus

3. If we now desire to assist in this work and thrust in our sickle with might;

If we will embark in the service of God and harvest in fields that are white;

Our souls may receive the salvation of God—the fulness of his light,

That we may stand, free of sin and blame, God’s glory in our sight.

Chorus

Chorus

With faith in every footstep, we follow Christ, the Lord;

And filled with hope through his pure love, we sing with one accord.

Copyright © 1996 LDS.