Hi everyone

Thank you, ljg. What a coincidence that your mom was born at West Penn! I know that hospital all too well, now.

Robyn, I am so sorry about your mom’s diagnosis and that you too are dealing with this loathsome reality. Although we have to believe that it is all for the good! You are just about my age – doesn’t it seem like we are still babies ourselves? There are days that I want to just drive to my parent’s home and curl up in my bed in my old room and pretend like everything is OK again. Then I wake up and realize that I too am a mother and have to keep it together. I’m so glad that my words have helped you. We aren’t alone and one way or another, this nightmare will be over and we will someday never be separated and never have to endure these trials again. The diagnosis is still so new for your family. From what I’ve experienced, things do become more manageable once a plan is put into place and treatments begin. Because my mom’s diagnosis was such an unbelievable shock – she was in perfect health – I went through a period of severe panic. It really tested and STRENGTHENED my faith for which I am so thankful. I would sit and hug my boys so tight and cry and cry thinking I would be taken from them in an instant – nothing seemed secure to me, like I was walking through a minefield not knowing what would blow up next. But then through prayer, and grace, I was calm. There was no minefield. We aren’t abandoned here and nothing is random. We know that God is compassionate and all knowing – our ever present help in trouble. We will get through this, our mothers will get through this, and our Lord will never leave us. No matter what happens, it will be good.

Stay strong and you too will be in my prayers.

An update on my mom – the swelling in her stomach is apparently not from any blockages from the cancer, but rather, from the chemo. It is pooling in her stomach and making her pretty sick. They put her on a diuretic and are going to try and drain it as soon as she is done with the script. The cancer in her liver isn’t moving, but they did see some activity on the spot on her rib. She is also going back to UPMC Liver Cancer Center. I think she is a little frightened as she is comfortable with her routine with West Penn, but they are looking to try something else with her at UPMC.

You all are in my prayers and I am not just saying that. I pray daily for you all. God Bless!

Thank you all again so much for your responses.

Sophie, I am particularly touched by your message as I feel so much for you and your daughter. I was 27 weeks pregnant with our second child when we found out about my mom and it was absolutely devastating. There are so many things to be careful about already when you are pregnant – and then when something like this happens it seems to all be so overwhelming. I was so concerned for my unborn son – would he be ok even though his mother spent hours crying and exhausted? There were days I could barely keep food down because the emotions were just washing over me all hours of the day. We were so thankful that my mom was doing so well and was at the hospital when he was born. The Lord has blessed us with so much time. I am also so thankful that we have a healthy and very happy little boy despite the enormous anxiety and depression I dealt with while carrying him.

That is wonderful that you are so much more comfortable now that the fluid has been drained. It sounds so much like what my mom is going through. She is such a skinny minnie but she has this big, pregnant looking belly right now. Did the procedure hurt at all? Are you having trouble with nausea? If she doesn’t eat, she starts to get sick. She had another CT scan today so we should know in a few days what’s going on.

Sophie, when is your daughter due? I will begin praying for her and your family. I keep counting my blessings and reminding myself that things here aren’t as they seem. The Lord is in control and nothing can separate us from His love. We’re all essentially getting “better” by getting close to dying everyday. I am thankful my mom wasn’t taken from me when I was a child like so many others and I am thankful that I have all of this time to serve her and show her through this trial how much I love, respect and admire her.

God bless you all and thank you again for the kind words and encouragement.

Thank you so much for such a warm welcome. What a wonderful place to share.

We didn’t get a clear answer as to what is causing the swelling. She had a CT scan this morning because they wanted to see what is going on. They have talked to her about having it drained if it is indeed fluid. What is interesting is she had a sonogram done about a week ago to determine the amount of fluid in there and the doctor was surprised that there really wasn’t any? We are confused as to what is causing her abdomen to be so hard and full though. Any thoughts?

You all will be in my prayers.