She's a miracle. She's incredible. She's a fighter. She's my Mom.
They told us...she had 6 months.
They told us...treatment might not work.
They told us...surgery was a long shot.
I guess "they" never met Julie Columbia. Treatment worked! The oncologist said treatment would be hell and I can honestly say that's what it was. Jules couldn't eat or drink for almost 2 weeks straight. Watching the person you love become unrecognizable, is heartbreaking. As a caregiver, you feel helpless. As a person, you feel guilty. But as her daughter, I felt strong. If she can fight all of this, I can at least love and be present.
The tumor shrunk about 50%. The oncologist was shocked. This was the best response she has ever seen with her rare form of cancer. Surgery? The surgery date is now set. The surgeon believes, with 85% certainty, she can remove ALL of the tumor.
TAKE THAT CANCER.
Jules is regaining strength day by day. I think my time in Peru taught me not to take anything for granted...and I mean anything. Eating breakfast, going to the bank, heading to the grocery store, going out to lunch, picking up prescriptions, going to appointments, watching the nightly news and eating a sandwich on the porch are such normal things. But for me, I did these "normal" things by myself for 2 whole months because my Mom was too sick. I missed telling her all of the crazy things that happen in a fruit and vegetable market. I missed trying new restaurants with her. Regaining these little things, reminds me never take anything for granted...no matter how small.
After we heard the news on Thursday that surgery is a go, I immediately called someone who has been there since Day 1. She most likely will never see this post and won't even be able to understand it. But Miss Miriam, you are incredible. One of the Hogar's nurses, she was there with me the night I found out. Even though we are thousands of miles apart, your texts and phone calls are a reminder of God's love for his followers. I called her on Thursday, crying. And she knew. She knew my shaky voice was filled with relief, happiness, love and utter joy. She said, "Her treatment worked, didn't it? I knew God would take care of you. See you soon!"
There couldn't be good news without...dessert! A piece of Jules' favorite raspberry pie was eaten Thursday afternoon in bed while watching Law and Order: SVU. What a good day, October 11th.
I RETURN HOME ON WEDNESDAY TO PERU! And obviously I am incredibly excited! Can't wait to see all my children, the nurses, the Doctor, my friends and the country I fell in love with.
"It is good to feel lost... because it proves you have a navigational sense of where "Home" is. You know that a place that feels like being found exists. And maybe your current location isn't that place but, Hallelujah, that unsettled, uneasy feeling of lost-ness just brought you closer to it."
Love you Mom.
Ps. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAUGHTER EVELYN! 15 years old! Love you forever and ever and you will always be my first daughter and God-daughter! TKM. Besitosss.
Pss. Sorry for the high phone bills, Dad!
:)
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