Surviving a Nightmare
I had no idea when I wrote posts here a few weeks ago about friend's and extended family suffering many calamties and deaths, that this would all get much closer to home.
It seemed like there were more than enough disasters and sickness to go around.
Last week I found out my Mom has a tumor on her spine. I was still holding out hope that it would be benign. I saw her for dinner and had a nice time. I started coughing however and ended up getting the same bug my husband had. We got very sick with bronchitis from the flu. The next day I found out from Mom, that the tumor on her spine had matasticized. That was terrifying. I was feeling so sick and couldn't imagine that such awful news.
On Valentine's Day we learned it is lymphoma. That was my worst fear. I am still dealng with losing my Dad to leukemia 5 years ago. Mom is so young and healthy, this seemed out of the blue and totally shocking. We still don't know what kind of lymphoma it is yet. She has more appointments next week. She found out at a scan on the way to the airport to fly to California for her nephew's wedding.
We are optimistic that her overall health should make her much stronger and able to beat this. At first it just seemed like a nightmare and I wished I could wake up.
I am trying not to get depressed and maintain the same optimism that Mom has. I think I am doing very well considering how very sick we have been. I have not been this sick in years. I have not been out of the house in 6 days. I am finally getting a bit better. I think I will manage.
The supplements I take kept me from getting the flu earlier and most other bugs but I think the news about Mom was just too much for my system to handle. This bug came from our Goddaughter and her mother when my husband was with them when their father/grandfather passed away a few weeks ago from complications of the flu, pneumonia and heart disease.
Then today after learning that the flight for a work trip was cancelled due to bad weather (we had strong winds last night with 100 mph gusts in some areas and now a foot of snow), my husband found out on his way back from the airport that his Dad has been in and out of hospitals for the last few weeks for some sort of heart problems. They are not sure yet if he had a heart attack or not. My husband is freaking out. He is so upset his parents did not tell him but they did not want to worry us. They are thousands of miles away on their annual winter trip around Calfornia, Arizona etc. He has been into hospitals in both states for this so far.
We are both only children so there are no siblings or any other family so it is pretty daunting when there are problems with both sets of parents.
I hope all of you are having a MUCH better week than we are.
Jessica
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Oh Jessica, I'm so sorry to hear of serious illness on both sides of your family. Even if you weren't both sick to start with, this I'm sure this devastating news is not going to make your recovery from the bugs you're both fighting any easier to shake off. It's sad that you had to be alone when you got the news of your mother's cancer. I know that when you're feeling better you'll be burning up the internet researching things to help her. Have you seen the research on use of asparagus to fight cancer?
Being an only child can be daunting at times like this. Just know that you do have "siblings" here in the WA community who love and care for you. I'm happy that you have this mode of support at this difficult time.
Will be praying for you and Aaron during this difficult time, my friend.
Thanks Carol,
Yes, it is daunting. Aaron and I always have each other though and that is wonderful. I am glad I have so many friends here at WA too.
So far things are looking good and we are optimistic about treatment.
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
Such a long time I haven't caught up with you.
I hope all is going to be ok. This is such terrible news about your Mom and your hubby's Dad. I do hope they are both ok,
I do hope you get your health back to 100% well again. I have missed you.
Sending you all tons of hugs. Take care Jessica. You are in my thoughts and my prayers. Get well soon. Thinking of you x
❤🤗🙏💪
Debs :)
Thank you Debs. I go through times of feeling ok and times of feeling terrified. My husband and I are still coughing badly and tired as well which doesn't help. I went back to work last week and made it worse so now I am spending all weekend recovering.
Thanks for thinking of me.
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
In life there are many ups and downs which we do not have any control over. I am sorry to hear about your many struggles with health problems within your family. We are either going through a storm, in a storm or coming out of a storm.
I hope that you get well soon and that your mother will overcome her struggle with lymphoma, that your father-in-law gets in a healthier state so that he can continue his annual winter trip.
It is great that your husband has returned home and that you have each other to lean on during this storm that you are all going through. I hope that you are able to get out of this storm soon all in better health.
Wishing you the very best!
Kind regards,
Nichola
Thank you Nichola. We are sick together and trying to get better. This bug was bad and cough just won't go away. I am so glad I have him.
You are welcome. I hope you both get back your good health soon. It good when you have a life companion. Wishing you the very best!
Jessica, my dear friend..... I am sorry about your difficulties. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers.
I am glad that, overall, you are an amazing, positive, strong, upbeat woman that knows how to take care of things despite lots of challenges. I have seen you do that many times over the last couple of years. Stay strong for your mom....
Hugs.
Thanks Sondra. I am surprising myself with how well I am doing. Of course that may change if things get harder. For now Mom still feels fine so it is easier to stay optimistic.
I am still sick but back to work for the first time in almost a week. I got worn out getting ready and fell asleep in a chair. Drove in and was tired by the time I got to town. Got to my desk and was exhausted and dizzy...so not back up to full speed yet.
I missed talking to you here. Glad to see you back.
Thank you so much for your thoughts. I have had good progress on my sites due to the coronavirus posts I did so good sales this year. I will have some more positive updates soon.
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Thoughts and prayers for you Jessica.
I have had periods in my life not unlike yours. I was very close to my parents and lost them both under equally tragic circumstances.
These things are never easy but what has always kept me centred was thinking about what good people they were, what great values they taught me (that we have handed on to our children) and how would they want me to act behave and think once they were no longer there.
The greatest honour we can pay our parents I always think is to realise our individual potential developed from the base and foundation that they have given us.
Stay strong Jessica, thinking of you at this difficult time
Hamish🧐
Thank you Hamish,
Things are going well so far and we are optimistic this is treatable. We don't know a lot yet but the doctors seem optimistic.
Jessica
Good to hear the very best of good fortune with all of it 🧐