silver linings

This really isn't my news to share.  but fortunately (for this particular occasion), I've told very few people about this blog so it's really just for my own personal growth and remembrance. I hope she doesn't mind me sharing here.

Three years ago, my MIL caught pneumonia.  During a scan of this nasty virus, a shadow in her lungs appeared.  That shadow was investigated, identified, and removed as a cancerous tumor.  It was a nasty, difficult procedure and stressful to say the least.  She had a beautiful and brave disposition about it and came through brilliantly.  Fortunately, the doctors "got it all" and no treatment was necessary. 

In a routine follow up scan more recently, another spot on her lungs abruptly changed from "small and of no concern but monitor it anyway", to "hey that's a much larger problem and we need to act".  During the scan, they also observed a void on her brain.  That was announced almost dismissively.  But just in case, a more detailed scan was ordered to clarify the void. 

The second scan delivered the heart breaking news: she has brain cancer.  The initial news was devastating and seeming with no hope.  Meeting with multiple radiologists during the next few days gave much more information and greater insights.  She still has a lot of treatment options available to her and every hope that she will respond well to those treatments. 

A silver lining was that husband's brother and his family happened to be in town, on a furlough to finish his dissertation.  The family was together and had some really choice experiences.  As Mom met with various doctors, always at least one of her kids were with her to lend support, ask questions and gather information.  The children, who are unaware and unaffected by the emotional roller coaster of  Mom's news, got to have some great cousin play dates.  We went on a picnic to the park, played with toys, watched movies and went to library storytime together.  One evening, we got a babysitter for all the kids and spent the evening shopping and going to dinner just as adults.  We even managed to schedule a photographer and had some great family portraits taken.  It was beautiful all week and then bitterly cold the day of pictures, so little E was not her usual sunny self, but other than that, the pictures are perfect.

So for now, radiation treatment begins next month.  We will hope and pray and make a lot of memories.