Chemo

My mom went to the hospital to have surgery to have something implanted underneath her skin for her future chemo treatments. My mom's doctor, an unnamed award winning Pittsburgh Physician who practices at AGH has determined, with some excellent Radiation Oncologists, that she'll be on a daily radiation treatment along with chemotherapy on a case-by-case basis (anything meaning once per week to once every 2-3 or 4 weeks depending on how she does).

Surgery is not recommended for cancer as advanced as my mom's. However, not being a doctor, something needs to happen to drain that Kidney. The Kidney seems to be causing agony with my mother and as anyone with a loved one experiencing excruciating pain will attest all you want to do is take their place. To do anything necessary to alleviate their suffering. This includes being short and curt with everyone - which is understandable for any patient/family.

However, My mom is the most courageous woman, heck person, I've ever known. Sure she complains from time to time about the pain, but at no time will she scream, and at no time will she ask for more medication than is absolutely required/necessary (even if a tad bit more will make her more comfortable). She is the epitome of the strong, independent woman. She is someone who defines herself on her own terms, and refuses, despite the agony and pain she is experiencing, to give any amount on the management of our family. This is most amazing both positively and negatively.

She is positively the best mother I child can have. She is someone who without even thinking, will kill herself for her husband and kids. She refuses to not bug me about eating lunch or dinner if we've missed it due to taking her to the hospital and she refuses to allow her illness to "burden" the family.

Negatively, she has yet to understand or full grasp that none our late night hospital stays or long drives to get home to see her are a not a burden. It's worry, caring, love that requires me to drive sometimes 7 hours to see her and make sure she's ok. It's love that my older brother is worried about her condition and is getting increasing anxious and curt with some people. It's out of love when my father, an ER physician get's frustrated with idiotic residents, doctors, and nurses who sometimes reflect the worst of the worst of America's health care system.

Back to the topic at hand, the surgery went well, no complications and she is ready to kick cancer's ass. Beware Cancer, your days are fucking numbered.....