It's Official

Mom has stomach cancer.

The doctor gave mom 6 months to 1 year.

We went to see the doctor for a treatment consultation today. She said if mom didn't take any treatment, she'd have 6 months to a year, but if she took chemo, maybe 1 year or 2. Of course, it all depends on how mom reacts to the treatments. She may live for a few months, she may live for a few years. We don't know.

Mom is ok. She expected the news and is taking it in stride. She has 2 requests. The first refers to her condition as her time approaches. Mom is not afraid of death, just the process. She doesn't want to be a vegetable or bedridden or suffering from tons of pain. She also wants see Julia able to take care of herself and speak--in a word, cured.

Please pray for God's will to be done, whatever His will is.

Another Storm on the Horizon

Hi guys. It's been over a week since mom returned home. Yesterday, we went to the hospital so mom could get her staples out (they used staples instead of stitches). Mom didn't want me to see, but after begging, she was reluctant and showed me her cut. I couldn't count all of them, but it appeared to be about 40 staples.

After we came home, we remembered the tests that were done on mom and I tried to call to see if the results were in. If someone answered, I was directed to voicemail: basically, I was back where I started. So we went today to the hospital (here in Salisbury) and spoke with the doctor's assistant.

Mom had cancer. It was in her ovaries as well as her uterus. Good thing is that all of that is removed. Bad thing is that mom's not out of danger. She needs to go into treatment, but the doctor has to see her to know which kind she should take (Chemo, Radiation, both, neither, etc.). Basically, since I made the assistant aware of Julia's situation, she said that mom is still gonna need help.

On top of that, I just got a call from one of the doctor's assistants in Baltimore saying that they found cancer around her stomach (in 2 out of 5 places).

It's still too early to tell, but I have been faced with a possibility I didn't want to think of: I might not return to Bogi. Also, I'm supposed to graduate this May from Southern; no idea if I'm going to that either (although that's not really important).

There are many questions, but we must wait til next week for possible answers.

Home

Praise God, mom is home!

We just got back about an hour ago from bringing mom back from the hospital. She's ok; weak and a several pounds lighter, but ok. She will be able to do her follow-up check-ups here in Salisbury (Praise God). This doesn't mean she's out of the woods yet.

There are a few tests that were done on mom's stomach. There was something suspicious, but hopefully it's a false alarm.

God has really protected us on the roads. I'm not sure if you all are aware, but there were a couple of strong winter storms in the area. On Friday and Saturday nights, we overnighted in a hotel in the Annapolis area. This was the same time the 2nd winter storm hit the area. We were snowed-in all day Sabbath. Dad, who's driven on snow and ice for years and knows what to do in just about any situation, was worried. This kind of snow is just not normal here! The good news is that everything is starting to clear up: the bad news is that there's another on it's way for tomorrow. At least we've got mom and don't have to leave home for a while. I'm gonna leave you with pictures I took of the snow in the area we spent the night in.

This is the hotel we stayed Friday and Saturday night in. The first vehicle is a van.

This was at a gas station. Just check out the Uhaul trucks!

Today

Today at noon, mom went into the operating room. At 14, she came out. Her surgeon told us they took out her entire reproductive system. She had 1 huge tumor and a few little ones scattered around. But they're all gone, and it appears as though the cancer did not spread. She had a lot of liquid in her stomach. Tomorrow, they're gonna run some tests to see if anything is wrong with her stomach. The doctor said it could be stomach cancer, but he doubts it.

Right now, mom is in a regular in-patient room (she was in the intensive care unit for about 2 hours after the surgery, just to be sure she got out of the anesthesia alright--remember, it's her first surgery EVER) and recuperating. She can talk and is aware of her surroundings. She says her stomach hurts a lot and can barely move from the pain. She's on a couple of pain-killers. At least tonight, she'll be able to rest.

The doctor and the nurses were wonderful. I didn't expect such nice treatment. We (my family) are really impressed.

We're home right now. We have quite a few errands to run tomorrow morning and then we will go back up to Baltimore and see how mom's doing. There's another major winter storm headed our way for Friday morning 'til Saturday night--which means travel will not be recommended at all until it's past. There's a chance mom will be allowed to go home at that time; so if it happens, may we travel safely home.

Thank you all again for your prayers! Mom sends her many thanks as well!

Winter Storm and Tomorrow's Storm

Hi, sorry for not posting anything for a while; it's just that there wasn't anything new to post.

Wait, no: I lied.

This Friday night and Sabbath (29.-30. Jan.) fell the largest winter storm I've ever seen in this area. Normally, we have about 2 inches (5 cm) of snow fall in one night. After the snow fell that night and all of Sabbath day, we had almost a foot (30.5 cm) of snow! I never thought I'd see so much snow in this area! I have no idea when was the last time it snowed this hard. Here are some pictures I took (by now you should know I can't resist an opportunity like this):

Say "hello" to our family car

My foot buried in the snow, about half-way up my shin.

The lantern in front of my window, but from the complex's entrance.

Even though a lot has melted and been shoved out of the way, there is still a lot of snow and ice on the ground--and we're supposed to get more this coming weekend. . .

The surgery is tomorrow and mom is on a liquid diet. Praise God, dad is here. He got in Sunday night/Monday early morning. Mom is having mixed feelings: she wants the surgery done and over with, but she's a little nervous about going under the knife. She is 52 and she's never had an operation done on her before. Sure, she's been hospitalized, but only when giving birth to my sister and I. May God be with her today and tomorrow. Please, don't stop praying for her. Thank you.