My mom and sister came down to DC yesterday so that sister could meet with a professor about a project. Crazy chick is into Russian and Chinese poli-sci. Having attempted to learn Russian myself, I don’t envy her language classes. I’m a Romance languages girl.
Anyway, really really good news from my mom. As I’ve mentioned before, she has terminal carcinoid cancer. We’ve known about it for 3 years or so and it’s what first sent me into depression (apparently I had the genes and it was a trigger).
She’s been amazingly proactive about it all—finding the right doctors and specialists, joining groups, researching the disease and the treatment. It’s quite possible she wouldn’t have made it this long without all her work.
Her most recent treatment amuses me because it’s a combination of treatments for brain cancer and breast cancer. But it’s treating her liver.
The good news? IT’S WORKING!!!!
This treatment is only meant to slow the cancer’s growth. But on of the large mets (tumors) has actually shrunk a little. 3mm sounds small, but it’s great in this context.
The news hasn’t exactly given me hope that she’ll win the war with cancer. It’s metasticized and it’s a funky one that’s hard to treat. But for now she’s winning the battle. And she’s still able to do things she enjoys.
In fact, she’s reframed her situation from being someone dying of a terminal illness to “a semi-invalid with a chronic condition.” (sounds so much like something an upper-class English lady might have had.) It doesn’t seem like she has illusions that it’ll go away, but she isn’t letting it stop her from living. She just has to take it easy when being treated. And she’s made a number of end-of-life preparations—wills, living will, power of attorney, all that.
I have to say, I have the best mom in the world. Ever.
16 responses so far ↓
1 Emily // Feb 27, 2008 at 3:19 pm
What great news! *hugs*
2 plonkee // Feb 27, 2008 at 3:56 pm
That’s great news, and I think your mum has a great and accurate description of her state of health.
3 Looby // Feb 27, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Your mum’s attitude is inspiring, I hope that her treatment continues to go as well as it has. Have you seen Randy Pausch’s last lecture? It was also very inspiring and touching. Best wishes to your mum.
4 Lynnae @ Being Frugal.net // Feb 27, 2008 at 4:57 pm
That’s fantastic news!!!!
5 Mrs. Nathan // Feb 27, 2008 at 5:07 pm
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I AM SO HAPPY!!! Nathan and I pray for your fam every night. Hooooooray!
P.S. you should tell your momma that if she ever needs help or company for tea she should totally give us a ring. we’d be there pronto.
6 RacerX // Feb 27, 2008 at 5:14 pm
*Hug* Very Happy for all of you! You must have a great Mom as you turned out pretty nice yourself!
7 Lisa // Feb 27, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Hi Mrs. Micah,
Sounds like you do! And I agree with RacerX, you sound pretty great yourself. Sending good energy and prayers your way.
Lisa
8 Amanda // Feb 27, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Mrs. M, that is wonderful.
*HUG!*
The fwuffy says HI, by the way.
Did you see the pics of him in his car seat on our blog? They’re a few posts down. 
Take care of yourself!
9 dawn // Feb 27, 2008 at 8:24 pm
“Hug” “Hug” and one more “Hug” - terrific news Mrs. Micah! It totally feels good to hear lovely news like that!!
10 Your Sister // Feb 27, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Oh, who’s talking about learning Russian? It’s Chinese I have to pick up first–it’s not based on even the Greek alphabet, it’s all about HOW you say something, and it involves a ton of memorizing. I’m dead…
11 Four Pillars // Feb 28, 2008 at 12:31 am
Great news - hope she continues to do well.
12 fathersez // Feb 28, 2008 at 3:52 am
Mrs. M,
Thank God. I hope your mum gets better and better. My daughters think your mum is real cool. Please pass on our best wishes to your mum.
13 cybele // Feb 28, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Well, she is. No doubt about it. It helps that’s she also been terribly stubborn, since the day she was born. (I met her shortly thereafter, so I speak from experience.) Her reframing of her “condition” is only one of example of her absolute and total determination not to be defined by her illness…and you know, she never will be. And who else writes an email telling you how funny Plautus is? So there you are…a funny, determined, loveable lady, with a whole lot more in life.
14 wealthy_1 // Feb 28, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Mrs. Micah, so glad to hear about your mom. She sounds like an amazing woman with an amazing spirit. She is truly blessed to have you as her daughter.
15 Laura // Feb 28, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I’m so happy for your mom and your family. I hope the good news continues!
16 Wooly Woman // Mar 4, 2008 at 12:19 pm
That is such good news!
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