Mom is home. MRI reveals bad news

Mom was rushed to the hospital because her MRI revealed that she had had a stroke. In her weakened condition, the symptoms were disguised as regular effects of her cancer. Loss of balance, weakness, and dizziness were all signs of both. She has had a few episodes of blurry vision that could have tipped us off sooner, but no one knew. The doctors were surprised she didnt suffer more devastating effects of the stroke. Thank God she has pretty much fully recovered. Maybe she is a tiny bit weaker on her left side now, but nothing noticeable.

Unfortunately, the MRI also revealed that the cancer has spread to her brain. She has two small tumors. One is only 2mm in diameter and the other is 3mm. The MRI also revealed progressive disease in her abdomen area. This is not at all shocking since her taps have had to increase in frequency from every two weeks a couple months ago to now every 5-6 days. The doctors didnt have many good answers. The neurologists talked about using a gamma knife (concentrated radiation to the brain tumors) to help treat her brain lesions, but decided against it since the tumors are so small and her disease is so advanced in her abdomen. Until they find a way to control the cancer around her stomach, efforts in other areas would be in vain. We go back to the Brown Center on Tuesday to talk to Dr. Miller and Dr. Chesney about any additional options of treatment.

While receiving all this bad news, Mom has been a pillar of strength. Her attitude and good-spirit have been so inspirational. Words fail to describe what an impact she has made on me the last few days. I wish all those reading could witness the strength and determination she displays. You would truly be moved and touched in a profound way. She understands her condition has taken a very bad turn for the worse, and yet, she is an absolute rock. Sure, she gets upset and sad at times, but they are fleeting emotions for her. I often think how many people in the world today, given her circumstances, would plunge into a deep, dark depression for the remainder of their life. Yet, mom is thriving in a positive, loving, selfless state of mind. This blog will never be able to do her courage justice. What a lesson for all of us. What a tremendous example she is setting for all to see. I feel unbelievably blessed just to know her. To call her my mother is an unfathomable honor.

In the midst of all this bad news, there was fantastic news that overshadowed it all. Mom was baptized into Christ on Friday afternoon after we got home from the hospital. We did it right in her pool in the backyard. I had had many conversations with Mom in the past about the importance of baptism and its place in the gospel plan of salvation. Over the last few months we have been studying more and more. On our way back home from the hospital we had opportunity to talk again, and I asked her if she had given it more thought. She decided she wanted to do it. She remembers being sprinkled sometime in the past, but wanted to be baptized the simple bible way for the simple bible reasons. I cant express the joy that I felt. The spiritual always trumps the physical. The eternal over the temporal. Praise God Almighty!

Thanks for all of the fervent prayers on Mom's behalf!

For those interested, here are a few key scriptures that Mom and I studied together:

Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:16;John 3:3-5;Luke 24:45-50 with Acts 2; Acts 8:26-40; Acts 22:16; Romans 6; Gal 3:27; Col 2:12; 1 Pet 3:21