Back in town...
The trip to Oklahoma was just what the doctor ordered for Grandma, I think. Friday she received a prognosis that didn't look too favorable. Chemo is an option, but its success potential in even slowing the lung cancer down is only 25%. We talked a little about her situation in spots throughout the weekend, but didn't spend the whole time on it. We didn't do a whole lot, as the heat stayed around 105-110 the whole time I was there. That wasn't really the point of going, though. It was all about her and I think that mission was accomplished.
I took her to church Sunday. That was nice. I could tell Grandma isn't too crazy about the pastor there. I'm not really either, to be honest. He seems like a nice enough man but I just don't get that feeling of warmth that someone might expect from a Methodist minister to a small town church. The people at that church adore her, though. One lady said to me during the greeting phase of the service "Your grandmother is just so special." I just smiled at her warmly and said, "I know."
We did get a chance to spend a few evenings with Pattie & Ed. That was really nice. The older I get, the more my respect for them grows. That's probably natural for most folks but just something I reflected on a bit during the weekend. Seeing my Uncle Ed sitting in his lazy-boy with a laptop surfing the internet made me smile. If he can do it, all things are possible. I'm really glad Pattie has a live journal now. It's a great way to keep in touch with her. I know this time has to be weighing especially heavy on her. This is one area where I can truly sympathize.
Monday night I got the question I expected (dreaded): what did I think she should do (treatment vs. nothing)? I think I answered it about as well as I could. Put simply, I said, "This is your decision." This is one of those moments in life when someone has to be selfish. Grandma is hard wired to do just the opposite. She's far more concerned about others than herself. Its part of what makes her such an amazing human being. I told her she needed to make this decision for her and no one else. All the people in this world that love her dearly will (should) respect her decision 1000%.
Pattie arranged for her to get a 2nd opinion with an oncology group in Wichita Falls. I doubt the diagnosis will change, but maybe they can shed more light on the treatment options. If nothing else, it gives us a doctor a little closer to Walters to work with instead of having to commute to Oklahoma City every time.
I know this decision weighs heavy on her. I hope she took my words to heart.
Its nice to be home. I missed Natalie a ton. A person is tempted to count their blessings during a time like this, and I certainly gave into that this weekend. I'm really thankful for the life I have right now, and for having been able to share it for 37 years with such wonderful soul. I know the next year may be tough, but I'm going to do my best to celebrate who she is, and not dwell on the inevitable.
I took her to church Sunday. That was nice. I could tell Grandma isn't too crazy about the pastor there. I'm not really either, to be honest. He seems like a nice enough man but I just don't get that feeling of warmth that someone might expect from a Methodist minister to a small town church. The people at that church adore her, though. One lady said to me during the greeting phase of the service "Your grandmother is just so special." I just smiled at her warmly and said, "I know."
We did get a chance to spend a few evenings with Pattie & Ed. That was really nice. The older I get, the more my respect for them grows. That's probably natural for most folks but just something I reflected on a bit during the weekend. Seeing my Uncle Ed sitting in his lazy-boy with a laptop surfing the internet made me smile. If he can do it, all things are possible. I'm really glad Pattie has a live journal now. It's a great way to keep in touch with her. I know this time has to be weighing especially heavy on her. This is one area where I can truly sympathize.
Monday night I got the question I expected (dreaded): what did I think she should do (treatment vs. nothing)? I think I answered it about as well as I could. Put simply, I said, "This is your decision." This is one of those moments in life when someone has to be selfish. Grandma is hard wired to do just the opposite. She's far more concerned about others than herself. Its part of what makes her such an amazing human being. I told her she needed to make this decision for her and no one else. All the people in this world that love her dearly will (should) respect her decision 1000%.
Pattie arranged for her to get a 2nd opinion with an oncology group in Wichita Falls. I doubt the diagnosis will change, but maybe they can shed more light on the treatment options. If nothing else, it gives us a doctor a little closer to Walters to work with instead of having to commute to Oklahoma City every time.
I know this decision weighs heavy on her. I hope she took my words to heart.
Its nice to be home. I missed Natalie a ton. A person is tempted to count their blessings during a time like this, and I certainly gave into that this weekend. I'm really thankful for the life I have right now, and for having been able to share it for 37 years with such wonderful soul. I know the next year may be tough, but I'm going to do my best to celebrate who she is, and not dwell on the inevitable.