Where do I start? My Mom is a unique and wonderful person. She is creative and outgoing and has taught me that being a mom does not always revolve around cooking and housekeeping. Her nickname is Taffy but most people know her as Stephanie. She is also somehow making a run for "person with the most unknown, chronic, and serious illnesses" award. To completely steal from my sister's blog:
My Mom was diagnosed with a very rare lung disease 8 years ago (July 2001) its classified as an Interstitial Lung disease called Hypersensitivity Pnuemonitis. Which has caused her to use oxygen all that time and be tethered to a tank or a oxygen concentrator.
Last summer, she was diagnosed with a rare form of Thyroid Cancer, called Hurthle Cell Carcinoma. She had her thyroid removed then but we found that the cancer had metastasized to her lungs, and now some of her lymph nodes.
Because of the lung disease she also developed chronic Anemia and recently was diagnosed with a rare blood disease called 5Q- (minus). If not treated will lead to blood cancer (leukemia).
The lung cancer causes her to need constant oxygen and lately she is flowing at and nice blasting force of 8 Liters. (For those of you who know nothing of oxygen, the typical person I would say would be using maybe 2 Liters, and we've gotten to the point where she needs special high powered things to continue this flow for her) The thyroid cancer has caused some tumors to grow in her neck lymph nodes.
A week and a half ago she had an egg-sized tumor removed from her neck. Since then she has been trying to recover from the surgery.
My point in this super personal post is to enlist prayers on her behalf. Heavenly Father has preserved her life so many times and has given her a beautiful ability to be positive during all of these physical trials. I am continuously inspired by her graceful handling of countless really yucky, awful, and painful situations. For that I am so thankful. So forgive me if I want more. I want her to be well and live for a long, long time still. I want her to know my kids and see them grow and I want her to be around when I'm old. I know that the Lord will do what he will do, and I am trying to come to terms with that.
9 comments:
Of course we will pray for her.
Where to start. I am in tears right now, because this brings back so many memories and feelings for my sweet mom, who passed away three years ago on the 16th of this month. She too was tethered to oxygen for many years, and yet was the happiest person around. I feel for you, I really do. We will keep her and your siblings in our prayers. Moms are just so special, and I hope yours will be feeling a little better really soon!
We will certainly keep her constantly in our prayers. We feel for you all.
Thank you for this very sweet, honest post. I just found out from Jan how sick your mom is and we will absolutely pray for her! Please know you and your mom will be in our thoughts and prayers!
You and your mom are in our prayers. Hang in there!
Abby,
There is nothing wrong with personal posts. It's exactly what we need, so we can know what to do to help out. I will be praying every day for your momma. Could we start a "group fast" for her as well? If you decide on a day/time, please let us know. I completely understand your desires, as our family has been "there" before. I am praying for a miracle that lasts until your children are grown. Thanks for sharing.
Aunt Taffy is always in our prayers! We love you all!
We love your family and we love your mom. We will pray for you all
I always meant to comment on this post but never did. I read your sister's post and since then have been keeping her in my prayers. Love you!
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