09/30/2005

Well it's been a while since I've paused to write in my 3 Day Dairy. There's been a lot going on in my life.

My mother had surgery in early September to remove a tumor from her colon. She was diagnosed with cancer last December and it's been a long and difficult journey for her. She has been through the "ringer" so to speak and I'm afraid that she may not bounce back.

Through all of this my family has come to understand how hard a cancer diagnosis is for the patient and the family. My mother has received excellent care from Moffitt Cancer Center. But in her case, there is an element beyond that care that makes the critical difference. For her the struggle appears to be too hard.

All of you know what you would give to help a parent or one of your children. Look at what you are doing to help strangers!

Right now I would do anything to give my mother the will to fight - to overcome the awful fatigue that seems to envelop her. But that desire falls short. She's stuggling to just open her eyes and accept life.

I don't know where we'll go from here. She is being discharged from rehab and my sister and I are struggling to find the right care setting for her.

Please say a prayer for my mother. She need a lot of help right now.

Thank you.