I have been contemplating whether to do this or not, but I firmly believe in the power of positive energy, so here it is. This year has been incredibly challenging, to say the least. July 19th, marked six months since my father passed away from LBD. It feels like both a short and an eternal period of time.
Now, I find myself taking care of my mother, who is gravely ill. Witnessing your parents age and grow weaker is incredibly difficult. When you’re young, you assume your parents will be around forever, but the harsh reality is that they won’t be, and unfortunately, neither will I.
Just a few weeks ago, my mother received a diagnosis of bone cancer. She had been enduring joint and bone pain for a prolonged period, attributing it to the strain of caring for my dad. However, it turned out to be something more serious. When they mentioned bone cancer and Multiple Myeloma, I had a gut feeling that the biopsy would confirm it. Despite hoping for a different outcome, I knew deep down that the intensity and duration of her pain indicated a larger issue.
My mom is a resilient fighter. Despite her petite stature (which has diminished further), she possesses incredible strength. I hope that when we meet with her oncologist next Tuesday, he will present a solid plan to combat and hopefully eliminate the Myeloma cancer cells that are spreading within her bones. My wish is for her to find relief from the constant agony she endures and hope she can return home and regain her strength.
Therefore, if you can spare some positive energy, please send it her way. She is my memory-keeper, and I need her to stay by my side for as long as possible.
To help keep her as comfortable as possible, I need to hire someone to help care for her. I am her only child, and I need all the help I can get. However, the expense of hiring an at-home caregiver is tremendous and sorely out of my reach. I need help, and I am not afraid to ask.
Currently, I’m the primary caregiver for my mother, but it’s becoming increasingly challenging for me to be there all the time. To provide her with the care she needs, we’ve hired a compassionate caregiver who comes in on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM. This caregiver was also there for my mother during my father’s hospice period, and now, my mother requires palliative care.
As she prepares for 10 rounds of radiation starting next week, I’m uncertain about the additional care she’ll require. Following the radiation, she’ll be undergoing a chemo treatment in the form of pill therapy since her body cannot tolerate other types of chemo.
I genuinely appreciate your time, support, and attention. Any contribution you can make will go a long way in helping us during this difficult time. Thank you for being there for us.