Pages

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Mom's medical rollercoaster ride

My wife, daughter and mom carefree at Disney

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I'm sitting in the hospital waiting room as I write this. We've been here since 6 a.m. for my mom's surgery to remove her bladder. In late 2012 she was diagnosed with bladder cancer. She went through an aggressive treatment. By spring of 2013, the disease was gone, but doctors told us there was a high chance of it coming back.

First round of chemo
Fast forward to July 2016, mom texted me and said the doctor found something suspicious on the scan (she was getting checkups every six months). As much as I wanted to stay positive I knew the cancer was back. Sure enough, after a follow-up test, the news was confirmed. She started a very aggressive chemotherapy regime that kicked her ass. She got sick a lot. She ended up in the hospital early on in the treatment. And she lost her hair, but she never lost her smile. She stayed positive and strong, preparing for surgery to remove the bladder.

Finally, that day has come. The six-hour procedure is over and the doctor just talked with us and said things went well and it doesn't appear that there's any cancer outside the bladder. I'm excited beyond words right now, but she's still not out of the woods. Recovery time in the hospital is at least a week, then she'll have to take it easy and rest for the next six to eight weeks.

Get well card my daughter made
I'm not an overly religious person, but I have many people who are in our corner, praying for my mom, her doctors and our family. Words cannot express how grateful we all are to God for this support and love. Thank you isn't nearly enough, but it's all I've got for now. 

Editor's note: I used the rollercoaster pic because it's one of my favorite photos of my mom. It's from our 2014 trip to Disney World.

5 comments:

  1. Kevin, these journeys through illness can be quite difficult. Your mom is a warrior and should be commended for her valiant fight. I learned something pretty early in my friendship with your Mom...it is her love of family that motivates her. She lights up when she talks about you boys and her grandkids, so I am totally convinced it is that love that has kept her fighting....The devil whispered,"You can't handle the storm." Linda replied...."I AM THE STORM." We are all winners, because she is a part of our lives....love you bunches...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brooke knows her Memaw and says it best... she is one tough cookie!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Prayers to all. A beautiful family you have. Thank you for sharing with us, your TV audiences has this covered.
    Gloria, Christopher, IL

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kevin, my dad went through bladder cancer. I am so sorry your mom has had such a hard time. I know all too well the roller coaster ride you are on right now in terms of supporting her through this. The moments of fear and hope are truly like being on a roller coaster that you never ever wanted to ride. My dad, who will be 68 this year, beat bladder cancer and at his last scope we heard the words we've been praying to hear for years...his cancer has a 0% chance of returning now. I pray that your mom adjusts to her new way of life and that one day you all will hear the same words we just recently heard.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kevin, i am thinking about you and your family and praying for all of you, especially your mom, take care and stay positive

    ReplyDelete