The Strength of My Mother

Well our family has run into a little speed bump in our lives.  A couple of weeks ago, our mother, Belva, was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.  She went in for a pre-op chest x-ray for a surgery she had previously scheduled, to remove a cyst in her wrist, and they called her to come in and discuss her chest x-ray.  Right away she knew this wasn't good.  She is an 18-year breast cancer survivor (as of April 8 this year), so every time she receives a call like this her first thoughts are that her cancer is back.  So she went in and her doctor said there was a pleural effusion (fluid buildup) in her lung.  She would need to have this drained and tested to see what was going on.  This all happened on a Friday, so we had to wait the weekend to see what was going on.  Longest Weekend EVER!!

So the next week she went in to have the fluid drained.  The procedure went fine, and 2 days later she received a call from her doctor saying there were metastatic breast cancer cells in her fluid.  We were all in shock.  She had no symptoms indicating anything was ever wrong.  She had played 2 hours of tennis every day the week before when she was on vacation, so she is in very good health.  Of course the first thing she said is "What about the grand babies?  I need to teach them to play ball!"  She is always thinking of everyone else and trying to console us.  She could deal with her cancer, she just worries about everyone else.

So mom decides she would like to go visit Mayo to see what they have to say and then come back to have her treatments in Bismarck.  That next week was brutal waiting for them to call.  She was told by a nurse there they would call when the doctor was done reviewing her charts.  She waited all week until Friday and then couldn't wait any longer.  Can you imagine waiting all week wondering where your cancer is in your body, sitting by the phone every minute hoping it rings?  That was so exhausting for her.  We all wanted answers, and we knew this is probably what happens a lot, but could not wait anymore. 

With the help of some friends we were able to get her in to a medical oncologist at Sanford.  She saw the doctor that Tuesday, had a port placed Wednesday (for chemotherapy) and had a PET scan Friday.  So we went from sitting there waiting, to a busy week of procedures and scans, which we were glad about.  My mom was so mentally and physically exhausted by Friday, but of course she still came to Minot with our family to watch some basketball and went to visit some good friends.  She has received many calls, texts, cards, etc from so many wonderful people.  They truly make her day!  I told her I would start this blog to keep everyone informed on what was going on.  I know people want to know what is going on but don't want to keep bugging her.  She still appreciates calls and texts and everything, but if you want updates I will try to do this as we know what is going on. 

So now we are just waiting for the PET scan results which we should have today.  That will tell us more.  My mom is the most amazing person.  Having gone through this before, she knows what to expect (sort of), and is still taking care of grand babies throughout all of this, and having us all for family dinners, etc.  Sometimes things in our lives are hard, and then you get hit with something like this.  We have such special people in our lives-from coworkers to friends, to family....we appreciate all of you and all of the support you have shown!  Mom and I will keep posting to keep you updated, but you are still welcome to send messages to her, this just will keep everyone more informed.  She has a long road ahead, but with God by her side she will be able to get through it!  Love you all!

Sarah

Mom with Mason and Ava.  They love her so much.