Well guys it will be 3 years December 24th that my Mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
She has been putting up a fight like no one they have ever treated. Unfortunatly, this past few months the 2 1/2 years of treatments have caught up to her and she can no longer tolerate them.
They say if the cancer doesnt kill you the chemo will. Any more chemo and she in fact would already be with the Lord.
Three weeks ago she insisted on at least a reduced level of chemo as her blood markers are climbing and the cancer has in fact spread to her lungs and liver. She was hoping to buy some more time. After the second week of treatment she was zapped. She could not even get out of bed anymore.
That lead to a trip to the hospital for the second time in two months. After more tests its evident that her fight from a medical standpoint is over. She is now in Hospice resting comfortably and being visited by 40 years worth of Nurses and Dr's. at the very Hospital she spent her whole life working at.
We could take her home and provide the same care but she refuses to have my Dad left with a memory of her passing at home. She has insisted on staying in Hospice at the hospital.
We have been blessed to have had another 2 years and almost 11 months with my Mom as they only gave her 3-6 months when she was diagnosted.
The real blessing is she has excepted Christ into her heart and is at peace with her situtation. A Dr. friend of hers just passed, Dr. Dove, who was diagnosed with the same thing 10 months ago. Even after the Wipple procedure he did not make it a year. From the time he went into Hospice he lasted three weeks so she has it in her mind that is all she has left, which is 2 weeks.
Personaly from what I have seen, we have probably 4-6 weeks depending on how fast the cancer does its part to her organs. She is only taking in a few glass's of water a day and two small cartons of milk.
At this point she can get out of bed on her own and go to the bathroom so she still has lots of strength to fight but with such little calorie intake its just a matter of time. Unfortunatly she has conviced everyone its going to be no more than a couple more weeks but I suspect much longer considering the level of strength she has now. I feel for my Dad as he has been at her side every step of the way. If I can be HALF the Husband to my wife that my Dad is to My Mom I will feel like I have accomplished something. I have seen a side of my Father I didnt know. After a week in the Hosptial watching him take care of all the little things like trimming her to nails, rubing lotion on her feet, putting on her socks etc you can see the Love my father has for my Mom. They have been together since High school. Mom is 75 and Dad is 77. (Dont get me wrong, I Love my wife with everything I have in me, it just seems like not enough after wathching my Dad this week)
I wanted to let everyone know how much I appreciate your prayers as its clear they are being answered in many ways! We have had almost three WONDERFUL years to spend with my Mom and most of all, she has excepted Christ! Thanks for all you poeple have done! We appreciated it!
My wife and I have been going over to the Hospital for a day and a half, then return to take care of our animals here on the farm, spend the night then go back over and take care care of Dads Horses and visit with my Folks for a day and a half spending the night at their place. Its time like this having animlas to take care of make it real tough. Half tempted to butcher all the chickens but then we wouldnt have any of the great eggs we so enjoy.
I will keep everyone posted how things go.
Thanks again for everything!