It was Jan. 2, and I was on the air when my cell phone rang. It was my sister Kelly, and she was crying. “It’s not good Tam” she said as she began to tell me the results of our mother’s PET scan. We had learned that mom had cancer a few weeks before Christmas, but didn’t know the particulars until that afternoon.
Stage 4 adenocarcinoma of the stomach, surgery for the cancer not an option, chemo and radiation would begin after a surgery to insert a feeding tube…. the longer she talked the more my head was swimming. My mother had cancer, and it was serious. I was numb.
We ran into roadblocks at every turn it seemed, with delay after delay until treatment began Feb. 6, on the anniversary of my father’s death. Mom is halfway thru her first course of treatment, which consists of weekly chemo and daily radiation. She’s handling it the way she has handled every challenge life has thrown at her, with faith and courage. My mother is the bravest woman I know.
I’ll be updating this blog (with mom’s permission) to chronicle our family’s journey through this disease. There have been highs and lows, and lots of blessings. I’m grateful to all who have reached out with words of encouragement and offers of prayers for our family. I truly feel the love.
God bless you all,
Tammy
