I’m in Chicago visiting my mother after purchasing a one-way ticket from my home in California.
I was just here two weeks ago.
I rushed out then for a visit because Mom, for some unknown reason, asked me to. It was obvious to me that she hadn’t been feeling 100 percent when I visited her back in February, and from subsequent phone conversations it seemed she was strangely declining. Indeed, the visit two weeks ago confirmed my suspicions: she was not well at all. In fact I was so taken-a-back and concerned that, at my urging, we I visited several independent/assisted care living facilities. However, both my brother (who drove in from Cleveland) and I couldn’t put a finger on what was physically wrong with Mom, and she wasn’t talking.
Then, 10-days after that visit, she took a major fall and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance where she received 8 staples in the back of her head.
It was in the emergency room the physicians realized something was amiss: her vitals were off. Way off.
Through subsequent tests they discovered Mom had advanced liver and kidney cancer for which, at her age, there is no cure. We knew she had a recent bout with bladder cancer, but that appeared to be under control. This new diagnosis was sobering.
It made us wonder why she hadn’t complained to her doctor about her issues, especially given the fact she is a Registered Nurse? All I do know is this 87-year-old dynamo was powering through the debilitating symptoms of a deadly disease–and never once complained.
I arrived to see Mom lying is a hospital bed, asleep, and not looking anything like she did two weeks prior, let alone her appearance back in February.
The doctors say we’re talking days or, at most, weeks.
Early this morning, during a particularly lucid moment, I shared with her the sad news. But I also shared the good news, that there is a Savior in Heaven who has a place prepared for her. She smiled, nodded her head, and squeezed my hand. More on that poignant conversation at another time.
In the meantime, tomorrow I will share further thoughts on life, and death, and eternity.
Also, if I can muster the composure, I may put my thoughts together as a part of my weekly Hidden Headlines Podcast.
Check back and thanks for allowing me to share.
Meantime, thanks for your prayers.