Another busy day, working, cleaning, concierging, etc. . . but had more on my mind today than that. My mom had her brain tumor removed today. As I bustled around our client's home, I quietly prayed for her continually.
After lunch, I texted my sister to check and see how Mom was doing. Of course, she came though amazingly! She said Mom was currently resting comfortably.
Shortly after the text exchange, Sara, my sister, and Mom gave me call. They were at the hospital playing the game "Life". I chatted with Sara and then she gave the phone to Mom. Mom confirmed to me that she was doing well and everything went as planned. Though they found an additional spot on her brain they were able to get it all out in about a 2 hour outpatient surgery. As a concerned daughter, I quietly listened to my mother thinking she would need to soon get back to resting.
Then Mom said, "Well, I've got to let you go, before she beats me." (Referring to game she was playing with Sara.) Mind you, she's playing the game of Life.
Now this may mean nothing if you haven't read my previous blog:
My Mom, The Champion. I've included it below. But it was just a reminded of what a "fighter" my mom is!!
I believe that instrument on Mom's head is screwed in! I can't even imagine the road this woman's been on and look at the smile on her face! Mom, please don't stop smiling!!
My previous "Mom" blog:
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February 1, 2008 - Friday
My Mom, The Champion Current
It's been over a year since my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. Since she's always been rather healthy, this came as very much a shock to me and I'm sure the others in my family. Not to mention she isn't even old!! Unfortunately cancer shows us it follows no guidelines or stipulations. It effects both young and old, the healthy and those with not so healthy habits, those who exercise religiously and the unfit, the weak and the body builders, the rich and famous, those with good health insurance and those with none.
In this circumstance, I dare say cancer has surely messed with the wrong lady. Though the forecast may be gloomy for my mom's type of cancer, I believe they are unaware of the lady they've diagnosed. Mom is truly amazing. Looking back I can't figured out how she raised four kids, worked outside the home, keep the house she did, and lead a normal life remaining in the right state of mind? I guess I never will, since I can't do that with one child!
Cancer is no match for her! Though there are days she's down and sometimes gets weak, inside I guarantee she's fighting hard. She has remained strong for a year and I know she's not going to give up easy, she never has! She a competitor and surely not a quitter. If you don't believe me, play any game with her . . . she's not going to let you win!
I love you, Mom!! Fight on!!
I'm so glad my Mom was able to share her courage and strength with others at the Beth Wright Cancer Center Annual Meeting a few weeks ago. See below the story from the local paper, The Ellsworth American.
Beth Wright Cancer Center Meeting Celebrates Growth, ProgramsWritten by Jennifer Osborn Wednesday, January 16, 2008
ELLSWORTH — Nearly 70 people attended the third annual meeting of the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center, which was a celebration of the center's growth and diverse programs.
Dr. Molly Collins, outgoing president of the organization's board of directors, led the dinner meeting at the Holiday Inn Jan. 9.
"We're a source of hope and comfort to people," Collins said. "We're also a place for people to give back what they learned the hard way."
The resource center was formed in 2004, a dream realized for the late Beth Charczynski Wright, for whom the center is named. A wife and mother of two boys, Wright died of cancer at age 28, four years before the resource center was created.
Wright had been diagnosed with breast cancer at age 24. She learned after the birth of her second son, with her husband Wayne Wright, owner of Coastline Homes, that the cancer had spread to her liver and bones.
Wayne Wright spoke briefly, thanking Collins and Edna Floyd, another founding board member, on behalf of himself and his late wife.
"I talk to her quite a bit," Wright said. "She believed there's always something you can do for yourself and have hope. This is what her goal was. This was her hope. Thank you. I'm proud and I know she is."
Collins spoke about the progress the organization has made in just four years.
"We really are at a crossroads and into phase two of the Beth C. Wright Cancer Center," Collins said.
The resource center has begun offering programs and support groups in Washington County.
Tina Bridgham of East Machias who has been diagnosed with an advanced form of lung cancer, which has spread to her spine, spoke about the help she has gotten from attending a support group in Lubec.
A cancer diagnosis is "difficult" and "scary," Bridgham said. "To have a place to turn to during such a devastating time is a blessing. Having cancer is a heavy load to carry even under the best of circumstances."
Bridgham said she is grateful also to her brother and sister who drove her to her treatments. She was diagnosed in 2006 after going to the doctor to have a pain in her left side checked out.
Frequent mention during the three-hour meeting was made of the diverse programs offered at the resource center, which is located at 3 High St. in a space donated by Lorraine and Joe Saunders.
The programs, which are free, range from cancer support meetings to integrative yoga therapy, traditional Chinese medicine discussion, to Social Security disability insurance talks to improvisational healing: laughter workshops with ImprovAcadia.
Michael Shook of Mount Desert Island, a throat cancer survivor, spoke about his experience with cancer.
"It's a pretty frightening thing," Shook said.
"The center is place to share knowledge," Shook said. He shares his knowledge of Social Security/disability insurance programs at the center. "I was certainly not able to work during my treatment period."
Collins thanked another center supporter who attended the dinner,
Elizabeth Arey of Franklin. Arey, 12, makes pink ribbon earrings and pins and donates the proceeds to the center. Arey began making jewelry as part of her Girl Scout Bronze Award program.
Collins introduced the resource center's new board president,
Dan Bahr, himself a cancer survivor.
Bahr is administrator of County Ambulance. He has worked in emergency services for 35 years, including 25 years as a paramedic.
Bahr spoke about his goals, which include growing the center, creating more awareness of the center as well as offering programs in more areas Downeast. Bahr said another goal is for the resource center to have its own space.
