I need you to bring those sweet desserts and savory soups,
along with your understanding when I can only sample a bite.
One of the cruelest weapons in cancer's arsenal would have to be the relentless wasting away that attacks even the most determined of cancer warriors.
The proper medical term is cachexia... and it accounts for almost a third of cancer deaths and affects more than half of all cancer patients.
Sometimes the cause of this profound weight loss and muscle wasting can be directly attributed to the brutal treatments, chemo and radiation. But, more often than not, researchers are finding that the cancerous tumors themselves secrete a chemical that promotes the wasting syndrome, drastically impairing the quality of life, the success of treatments, and ultimately, survival chances.
Either way, we are left with a very ill, weakened and frail loved one.
No matter how much mom ate or tried to eat, her weight slipped away from her one painful pound at a time... it was insidious and relentless.... and it made her so mad.
For anyone who has objected to the "Battle" terminology we've used these past 31 days, might I just say that I understand your concern. I would love to say we walked this cancer journey upbeat and positive, letting peace be our guide...
But the truth is, we fought it tooth and nail. This cancer road took mom straight into the battlefield where she used every bit of ammunition at her disposal. In our world, it was war.
And because of love we battled hard.
With each inch that cancer took, we skirmished for hope...and added pounds...
Perhaps a new recipe, or maybe her favorite Pot Roast and gravy... a Smoothie for scrumptious calories or comfort-food standbys...
Friends and family rallied constantly, cooking and baking their hearts out for mom... and that brings me to today's Battlefield truth...
She was humbled anew with each and every delicious morsel you brought her, and it pained her so when she could only eat a bite or two, please know she longed for you to understand it was the wretched cancer that rendered her incapable of eating more.
Your steadfast gift of love that carried the food to her door more than strengthened her for each day of this harrowing journey... Never doubt the blessing you were to her!
"Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
~ Galatians 6:9
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