Hold Your Breath

A couple of years ago, mom and dad took the family to Six Flags. We had a blast. Kids were over the moon running from ride to ride. We laughed, we ate, we rode every ride.  Except for Mr. Freeze. We walked by it several times and watched.  It was the most horrific, convoluted, upside-down, super-fast roller coaster we had ever seen.

We listened to the screams of fear, and shook our heads, no, no, NO...

And then mom got a crazy look in her eye and said Yes.
 
What?!! Who are you and where have you taken my mother?!

But she insisted. She said, just watch... the ride is only 60 seconds long. We can hold our breath that long. How bad can it be?!!!! (If I had only known....)

So, we got in line. Couldn't let her do it by herself. Families stick together and all that stuff. Anyway, the closer we got to the coaster, the queasier we got. Especially when the cute little teen-ager running the ride smiled and insisted we take out our pierced earrings. Hello? Put them right in this box, she said. You can get them when you get out. Ok. Earrings in the box. Step into the caged coaster. Strap youself in. Get queasier. Watch the countdown for take-off.

3... 2... 1.......

!#$%^&!!!##$%!!!

I might have thrown up but the centrifugal force of the coaster defied bodily functions.

We blasted out of the station and hit 60mph in 6 seconds. Our heads rattled so hard against the caged cart that I was sure a concussion was imminent. If I could have put together a coherent thought I would have thanked the sweet, angelic teenager for making me take out my pierced earrings. She saved us from being impaled by our jewelry.

The ride lasted less than 60 seconds. I think. When the coaster stopped, I realized that I hadn't taken a single breath. Mom was right, I can hold my breath that long. I looked over at her and got another shock. Her hair was standing straight up and she was laughing. And kind of dizzy. And yes, very queasy.
 
But, boy was she a hero to all the grandkids.  Grandma rode Mr. Freeze. Medal-quality moment in their books.

If only we could return to that kind of queasy. The kind that goes away when you step off the roller coaster. The kind that is worth it because it means you took the dare and survived. You get to go home and live the rest of your life.

Instead mom has been plagued by the queasy, nauseous, vomiting pains of pancreatic cancer these past few days.   The relentless reminder that this cancer has dug in and is not giving up.  How we would go back in a heartbeat to that beautiful fall day, and ride all the rides. Laugh with joy. Feel the excited energy of an amusement park.  Eat cotton candy and corny dogs.  Dare each other to ride the scariest of rides.  Amaze ourselves with our extreme courage.  And make all the kids proud.

Sigh.... Cancer is not for wimps.
 
Mom is now riding the ride of her life. The scariest of rides. And she amazes us constantly with her extreme courage, makes us proud.  Always.

So, hold your breath and take out your earrings. The ride looks like it's gonna get bumpy.

Mom, we love you!  And we are riding in the seat right beside you.  Families stick together no matter what.  You are Medal-Quality in our Books!

Heat Waves and Hospital Stays

Some records are just not meant to be broken. Like Heat Waves and Hospital Stays.

Last week, the Dallas area sizzled past the old record of most 100 degree days in a summer.  On Tuesday, we hit 107, making it 70 sweltering days in the triple digits.  The old record was 69 days sets back in 1980.  Brutal to be sure.  That was one record that didn't need to be beat!

And then there are hospital stays. In the past 30 days, mom has spent a total of 24 of them entertaining the staff at Baylor Hospital. Not a month we wish to repeat!

We're glad to report that she continues to improve at home! Appetite remains steady, nausea is minimal (with only a few vomiting episodes), pain is under control, and she is even weaning herself off of the oxygen, slowly, but surely!

This morning we headed for the surgeon's office (not the hospital, yea!) for a quick day surgery procedure to implant her new medi-port.  They wheeled her off around 10, so now we wait.  With any luck, we'll be home in time for lunch.  More updates to follow...

Praying we have seen the last of the heat and of the hospital. Bring on the beautiful days of autumn. We're ready to enjoy!

My Love, Jane

Home Sweet Home

Mom is finally home from the hospital!

With her trusty pink bucket by her side.  It's been a rocky few days.  Stomach has been revolting big time.  But she's made a gradual  return to even keel and hopes to continue her recuperating in her comfy recliner.

Oxygen was delivered shortly after we arrived at home.  Michael from Lincare went over the uses of her portable oxygen tank and then did a great job setting up and explaining her new oxygen concentrater (with 60 feet of tubing - she'll be able to motor all over the house.)

Finally, exhaustion overtook her and she collapsed for a much needed nap.

She has thrown up twice since coming home, and my worry meter is off the charts, but she continues to assure us that the nausea is getting better.  My gut says something is still wrong, but I will bite my tongue for the night.  She's thrilled to be back home and sleeping in her own bed. How can you argue with that after 16 days in the hospital?

Continuing to pray for her recovery and a quick return to "normal."  For a settled stomach, renewed energy and wellness, this plea remains on our lips.

May sleep bring healing,  Sweet Dreams, Jane