Thursday, June 19, 2008

A Phone Call That Changed Everything

I was talking to my mom yesterday and she gave me some really bad news. Something that I was hoping wouldn't happen. We were hoping for the best, but unfortunately that wasn't to be.

My Nana has pancreatic cancer.

A few months ago she had a CT Scan and there was a lesion on her pancreas but it wasn't clear what it was. They decided to wait a few months and do another scan.

The results came in on Tuesday evening. My mom is a nurse and when she got the call in the evening she knew that it wasn't good. Apparently they only call at night when it is really bad. They told her that it was probably cancer (about a 99% chance) and that it had spread to the lymph node system as well.

Last week my mom had purchased airline tickets for her, Nana and my step-father to fly out here for Christmas. Nana will more than likely be gone by then.

When Mom told Nana the prognosis on Wednesday morning her response was "Well, shit!" and then went on to say how she hadn't been feeling well for a long time. Soon after, she resumed her daily routine of puttering out in the flower beds and the garden.

Nana is 86 years old and has lived a long, full life. She had 3 kids, 7 grandkids and numerous great grand children. My grandfather passed away over 25 years ago and Nana never remarried.

We will be out to see her next month. Mom says she will probably still be around but that they aren't going to do anything invasive or debilitating to try and prolong her life. Her health is frail and it would probably just kill her sooner.

As hard as it is, I will be helping my mom with Nana's funeral plans. Nana told us that we could do whatever we wanted since she wasn't going to be there anyway.

I have decided that I want to do a photo montage with songs from every era of Nana's life to celebrate her life and the things that made her so special. I hope that I can do even a modicum of justice to an incredible woman who I respect and love immensely.

6 comments:

Mrs. Hairy Woman said...

That is very sad to hear... She sounds like an incredible lady... She is lucky to have a grandaughter such as yerself...My thoughts and prayers to you and your family ... Hugs

ANON1 said...

Sorry to hear about the bad news. Keep your head up!

Churlita said...

I'm so sorry. It sounds like you'll do an amazing tribute to her.

laura b. said...

I'm very sorry Rachel. My thoughts are with you and your family through these hard times.

Anonymous said...

Sorry about the bad news. Your Nana sounds a lot like my Grandma, except that my Grandma won't swear no matter what! :) S. and I will be thinking about you and your family.

-Jaybird

Anonymous said...

Chica-

I am so sorry to hear about Nana. I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet her. She's such a wonderful lady. I'll be emailing you some alternative health stuff for her. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.