On Sunday, November 13, 2011 I wrote the following...
What to say about my mom? Where to start?
Well, first of all, she is very sick. She was diagnosed with endometrial cancer almost two years ago and is having some nasty health issues in regards to it. It makes me sad. Today I'm sad to think about losing my mom. I don't mean to be a pessamist or anything, but I'm just afraid she is dying and she is going to leave way before I'm ever ready for her to go.
It's hard because she's my mom. The only person I have known and loved for 37 years. The one who has always been there for me through the good and the bad. The one who helped me become independent and learn and grow and become who I am today. She's the one that provided me with a million and one new experiences and took me on so many wonderful adventures. She literally showed me the world!
And, she is dying. I'm sad. I'm sad for myself. I'm sad for my children. I'm sad for our extended family and all of her friends. She will be missed. She's been an influence for good to so many people at various times in her life.
Today, November 30, 2011...
I wrote the above on a Sunday evening after hearing my mom was in the Emergency room with severe pain. That morning at 1am, I got a call that my mom was heading to emergency bowel surgery for a perforation. At the time, she was given a 25% chance of survival.
The next morning the 14th, a Monday, we headed in the van to Utah with our funeral clothes packed, just in case and five days worth of clothes in the hopes that she would survive. She did survive! She made it through! There have been so many tender mercies that have gone into this entire experience. Some to mention: cell phones in the right place at the right time. Two of my mom's sisters driving long distances to be with her in the emergency room and stayed with her throughout the day of surgery. One of her sisters being with her at the exact moment she was coming out of anesthesia and had her ventilator removed. Two sisters being on the phone as support staff throughout the whole ordeal. Relief Society in Sunset bringing my boys and I meals. And, not to forget my amazing boys who spent an entire week in a hospital setting and were perfect! My boys=perfect. When will that be said again!? These are just a few tender mercies that I can come up with at the top of my head. We were truly watched over and blessed throughout the entire two weeks I was in Utah.
My mom was released on a Saturday evening to a Rehabilitation Facility in Layton and plans to remain there for a month. Her goal is to get her strength back and heal prior to returning home. She's also got a colostomy bag and is learning how to be the owner of her bag we named Pumpkin!
The boys stayed with me throughout the two weeks and we took a mini vacation to Clarkston to visit the Ravsten's. That was wonderful for me to have a break. Travis and Kedzie flew back to Colorado once they knew things were stable to go to work and school and flew back just before Thanksgiving to enjoy the holiday with us. We drove back on the 27th. Phew I was glad to be back to my ordinary, dull routine!
While we were there, we took the opportunity to decorate my mom's house for Christmas. The plan is for her to come home on the 19th just in time for the holiday and neither she nor Karen needed to decorate, so we joyfully did it for her. The train is a huge motivator!
Alex really was perfect even if this picture shows a little chaos! He and Ethan would sit on the bed and watch a movie for about two hours while I was with my mom and then we'd head home or go on some adventure. Sometimes we'd do that twice a day, but mostly once a day.
My mom post surgery. At this point, she was still a little delirious from the drugs, but at least she didn't think that Alex and Ethan were Russian spies trying to kidnap her. She left that for the night nurse! Phew.
Alex did get a little worn out without his regular nap schedule. He took a nice, long nap one day on my mom's hospital bed!
My mom in her new room at Legacy Rehab. Karen taking full advantage of the bed!
My mom has physical therapy twice every day and is worked hard! She has lost a lot of weight due to difficulty eating, but she is working hard to live for these little ragamuffins! We are all grateful for them.
So, that is the story of my mom and our little scare just before Thanksgiving. I hope that doesn't happen again. Love you mom! Keep kickin' death's butt! We are cheering you on and love you and admire you for your strength, courage and bravery! You are brave! I don't have to make that one up!
