cancer.
brian's mom has been battling this disease for over 15 years-eye cancer. it returned another time in '03 in the same eye. in october she had the eye removed, shortly after she learned that cancer had returned - third time. went through 5 weeks of radiation. recently her back began hurting. she played it off as "down in her back" and was going to go to the chiropracter. she first decided to go to her doctor first. they did an mri and took fluid from her spine. we learned yesterday that it is melanoma in her spine/spinal fluid - this fluid flows from her spine to her brain. get the picture. they are possibly sending her to md anderson on monday. her options are chemo and/or radiation or whatever houston has to offer. she does not want to do chemo. the radiation will only possibly slow it down.
so here we are. sue and our kids have a special relationship. well she has one with all the grandkids. i'm most sad for brian, his bro, and his dad.... and the kids. the kids don't know. they just know she's sick.
how do you tell them?
(and i just learned that the mom of my GOOOD friend has cancer.)
Friday, February 27, 2009
the ugliest word i know
Posted by Steph at 7:16 AM
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8 comments:
I hate cancer! We will be praying for her and her family.
Steph, I know your parents are close, but we are 45 min from MD Anderson. If Mrs. Sue, Mr. David or you or Brian need a place to stay, let us know. If she needs a friendly face, we would love to visit her as well. Just let us know if there is anything we can do. Praying for you all. Chris and Tori
We will remember to pray for her and all of you.
We will definitely be praying.
Cancer is a very ugly word.
Stephanie,
My Granny Hough died when I was 9. I remember that she was at home and we had gone to see her - all trooped by as a family. I guess I thought she had a cold or something and would soon be up cooking for us, etc. One Saturday Daddy's brother and family came up from South Louisiana. His wife and daughter spent the night with us in Saline while Daddy and Uncle Kermit were with the family. We got up on Sunday morning and Mama was getting us ready to go to Minden. I remember asking her, "We aren't going to church?" She said, "No, Granny died last night." I was DEVASTATED!!!! Mama didn't realize that I had no clue that Granny would die. She had breast cancer (that ugly, ugly word) and they had sent her home with a hospital bed. Daddy gave her shots to keep her comfortable. That was many years ago but I miss her to this day. I need to talk to her at times. But I also know God/Jesus took her hand and she didn't have to work so hard and is playing the piano in heaven. Anyway, I don't remember how old Maddy (spelling?)is but you might prepare her in a way that suits her age. She knows Jesus will take care of Sue. I am glad David is with her. I have often thought about how that would be when the time comes. I'll be much in prayer for all of you. If I can do anything just let me know. I love your family and have such admiration for the work you do.
Love,
Nena
thank you thank you thank you.
tori, thanks for the offer. we might be giving you call soon.
thank you ms. nena for your advice. that conversation is going to be the most difficult conversation we've had to have w/ the kids so far.
keep prayin'.
I was 13 when Granny Hough died and I wasn't sure but suspected since I understood what a coma is.
Prepare them by telling them that the "wellest" a person can be is in heaven--that a person can see, play, never hurt or be sad, etc. When the time comes, be sure to use the word died and not just went to sleep and woke up in heaven. Children take things quite literally and may be afraid to go to sleep--afraid that they will not wake up on earth. Or think that the person who died will be back sometime because he just went to sleep. You get the idea--age appropriate, soothing as can be but accurate as can be for the age. It is really quite amazing what children can understand and accept even while being prepared or grieving. Then, play it by ear--loving, available, ready to answer questions, or just cry together in quietness. I am sure that you know all of this even better than I, but maybe a reminder has helped.
Love you all so much!
Let me know what I can do. When they are at home again, what about food, etc.
Prayers will be lifted and we know God answers and gives strength. And even though the answer is not always what we as humans want to hear, it is still an answer and God is still in control and still knows best. And he can still perform miracles--sometimes physically and sometimes just in our hearts.
Love and prayers,
Marilyn Johnson
thank you mrs. marilyn. i'm afraid of what condition she will be in when they return. i will definetely be in touch w/ you and mrs. nena. mrs. francis went over there before they went to houston. sue had called her. then mrs. gayle called me for an update. so even though she's been out of touch with her "saline lady friends" these past few years, yall are still there for her. thanks sooo much.
thank you for being available. we will need help.
the show of concern means sooooo much to brian.
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