My name is Tammy and my mother Linda is no longer with us to tell her story so I am going to tell you a brief story of her journey with cancer. Although the cancer was not the definitive of her life story it played a signifcant part in her leaving us all behind at the age of 68.
On February 7th 2014 Linda was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer that had spread to her ovaries. At the time of admission to the hospital she required having almost 14 liters of fluid pumped off her abdomen. She was jandice, had swelling in her body causing her pain and making it difficult to move, she was extremely unwell. She spent 2 weeks in hospital being moved 4 times from room to room, test after test. End result was that nothing can be done for treatment so they sent her home. As a nurse and her daughter I told her the diagnosis leaving out the timelines, under no circumstance was she ever to know she had very little time left. This was an emotional moment for us both and brought us healing and closeness as we began the journey. Prior to this illness my mother had never been sick in her life.
While at home Linda maintained a very positive attitude along her journey and I am so proud of her courage and her abilty to take one day at time. Sure she was scared and had her moments, but she always had a smile and gave thanks to the caregivers who came to her home. She had an amazingly supportive church family whom she loved and adored. My mother shared her faith with everyone who visited. She never seemed to lose hope in her goal of getting to hospice.
April 14, 2014 my mothers prayers were answered and she was admitted to Stedman Hospice. By this time her condition had changed and she needed the 24 hour care. She seemed at peace and often told me that she knew God would bring her here. Each day I watched a little bit of her strength leave but she kept wearing the smile that led me to believe it would be fine. On Saturday April 19th around 1pm she finally lost the battle. She waited until my brother and I left and took her last breath with the angels from Stedman Hospice at her side.
My mother never had an easy life and through all the struggles and trials that came her way she faced it all with a smile. She made sure to give encouragement to others even though she needed it most herself.
I am thankful that during this short battle wih cancer we spent alot of time smiling and laughing together as we reminisced. My mother has shown me through all the years how to be strong and I am so very proud to have been her daughter.
