It's been 13 years since Mom was diagnosed with cancer. In that time, we've seen the three boys here in Kenton grow from ages 6, 4, and 2 to 19, 17, and 15. Two are driving and one is about to get his license. We have celebrated religious ceremonies, academic successes, musical programs, sports highlights, and a high school graduation.We've nursed wounds, tears, and heartaches. Mom lost her husband of 56 years, my dad, my son's grandpa, suddenly on October 23, 2006. That was the worst.
We've enjoyed shopping, the county fairs, craft shows, eating out. Christmas', Thanksgivings, birthdays and the 4th of July fireworks. We've laughed til we cried, and cried til we laughed!
Mom endured three mini-strokes, two in December 2005, and one in January 2006. She even had an appendectomy! She remained strong! She had her annual MRI's to be sure the enemy stayed away. Each year we worried and prayed, but.....another clean bill of health! Thank God! She was to have an MRI in April 2009 but we somehow missed it.
As we started into this year, 2009, I noticed that Mom was getting weaker and losing weight. Throughout the past 13 years Mom used to worry that the cancer was back. I always reassured her, and believed, that because she hadn't lost any weight, she was healthy and safe. When I began to notice the weight loss, I began to worry.
She picked up my nephew from school each day and thoroughly looked forward to it. They would talk about his day at school, homework, and often take a ride out for an ice cream cone at the Dairy Queen. It was the highlight of her day. As the end of the school year approached I could see that Mom was weaker and weaker. I felt that she probably shouldn't be driving, but I knew how important it was to her to be able to pick Matt up. I just prayed they would be safe. He would be getting his driver's license shortly after the school year ended.
