Mom's battle has ended

[wadeover]

Hello everyone - I haven't been on in a while because it has been really hectic and difficult.  My mom passed away this several days ago on December 5th.  She had a short, but tough battle with this horrific disease.  Mom was staged at IIIC in November '07 and had a very successful surgery.  Her recovery was difficult, but she was 71 at the time and was a fighter.  She was on a clinical trial for Avastin and it seemed to be doing a great job.  At the end of her chemo, she was cancer free and all her scan and ca125 looked great.  She had a tear in her colon (maybe from the Avastin, we're not sure) and had a temp colostomy put in in August.  At that time her surgeon looked around inside while performing the surgery and saw no signs of cancer in the area.  We didn't know at the time that the cancer was growing in her upper abdomen.  It had returned and we didn't have a clue.  All her bloodwork and her scans were coming back normal -no red flags, no signs of the monster.  Mom and dad went on a trip with some friends to Gatlinburg, TN to see the fall leaves in October '08 and she got really sick and had to rushed to Duke for treatment.  They said she had an intestional blockage and surgery to fix it was scheduled for November 13th.  Nothing else was suspected, just the blockage.  When the surgeon came in to talk to us after the surgery, he said the cancer had completely coated her intestines and surrounding area.  There was nothing he could do - it was too far gone.  We were in shock.  We thought the cancer was under control and this was just a repair surgery.  Boy were we wrong.  Since he couldn't fix the blockage, he had to put in a G-tube to keep mom from continually throwing up.  She was getting absolutely no nutritional benefits from any of the liquids she took in.  She could only take liquids - no solids.  So, as you can see, in addition to the cancer, mom basically starved to death.  It was the hardest thing I have ever had to go through in my life.  Watching her want to eat, but not being able to, and not getting any benefit from what she could have.  But the fighter she was, she kept up the fight and finally on December 5th at 4:47 am she joined our Heavenly Father for eternity.  The holidays have been especially hard (my daughter lost her other grandmother in an auto accident just two months before my mom passed).  My dad, sister, my daughter and myself are doing fine, but we miss her soooo much.  I would like to let you all know that I still keep each of you in my prayers and I encourage you to keep on fighting - we can't let this disease win the war.  My mom was a wonderful, precious, and careing woman and my heart aches to see her.  But, I know that she is no longer in pain and is watching over us and all of you as well.

Best wishes to all!
wadeover (Linda)

[crecco]

Linda,
  I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family have my deepest sympathy. I know that the holidays were especially hard for you and your family. Know that you are in my daily thoughts and prayers.
   Chris

[silver&gold]

Im so sorry for your loss Linda , keeping you and your Family in my prayers.

Love Angie

[jlock]

I am so sorry for your loss. I'm sure she'll be missed by you all. I'll keep you all in prayer...~~~Joanne

[jlock]

I am so sorry for your loss. I'm sure she'll be missed by you all. I'll keep you all in prayer...~~~Joanne

[alivenkickin]

I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.

Niti

[doicat]

Linda, my condolences to you and your family.  I am pretty new to this forum but want you to know that I feel for your loss, especially for your daughter.  From your post, your mom sounded like a feisty strong woman and she fought hard to beat this cancer.  I'm glad that she was able to go to E-Tennessee to see the trees changing.  I've been there and the Smokey Mountains are truly beautiful.  I'm so sorry for your loss.  I know she is still with you and want you to remember her as the wonderful, loving woman she was.  God bless you and your family.  

Doicat

[dian07]

Oh, I am so sorry for your loss.....for your mom.....she must have been so proud of you.  Life is really tough at times, and the Holidays is one of those times.  I bet your mom celebrated with incridible creativity and enthusiasm.....I can only imagine you miss her terribly.  I hope you are able to find some way to celebrate her life in this joyous time.  I hope you are able to find peace knowing she tried valiantly to stay with you.....had she not fought so hard you would have been without her much earlier.  Celebrate your mom....she is a heroine .
Peace.
dian

[Janet535]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved Mother. I hope you can find some comfort in all the wonderful memories you both shared.

God bless....Janet

[kmccarthy]

I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom sounded like a fighter. You will be in my prayers.

Kelly

[yrrek]

I am so sorry for the loss of your Mother.  How supportive you all were.  I appreciate your sharing.  Your Mom was a courageous fighter that obviously loved her family.  You are in my prayers.  Kerry

[TrudieC]

My condolences on the loss of your much loved mother.  Hugs, Trudie

[dawnlyn]

You and yours have my deepest sympathies.......My heart goes out to you.  You are in my prayers........

Love,
Dawnlyn

[Steve H]

Your mum certainly was a fighter, now she soars with her friends and family overlooking and protecting you, may she rest in peace and no longer suffering. Steve

[gah_70]

Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your mother.  By reading your post, I know she must be so proud of you.  You write about her with such grace and dignity.  She obviously raised you well.  We've had far too many new angels this past year, and I agree with you that we cannot let this disease win the war.  My thoughts and prayers are going out to you and your family.

Gail

[Brownie3321]

Wow, I really am sorry. Your story tore at my heart. I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers. Keep your head up, she is no longer in pain. With love, Deandra

[Lance0531]

HI Linda. I am so sorry for your loss. It's hard to go through the holidays without a loved one. My wife (Nanette) also passed away recently (last December 1, 2008). I know how you feel right now. It's really difficult. I am just waiting for the time my wounds would heal. But I'm not sure if they would. Please extend my regards to the rest of your family.

[Teresa222]

I am so sorry for the loss of your Mother.  It sounds like she fought a courageous battle until the end.  God Bless you and your family during these difficult times.
Teresa

[JC145]

I am so sorry for your loss.  I will keep you and the family in my prayers.  Thanks for praying for the rest of us in the fight on this forum.  Judy