Anna Benjamin

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place.

Anna which is mom's legal name but she has gone by Ann or Annie for years was diagnosed with mesothelioma in early September.  Mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer as a result of asbestos exposure.  It can take anywhere from 20 - 50 years after exposure for it to develop.  There are approximately only 2300 new cases each year.  We have absolutely no idea where, when or even how she was exposed.  The logical explanation is through secondary    exposure through one of the places that Dad worked as there are several possibilities that would have occurred. 

In reality thsi has most likely been going on for several months as she has been hospitalized numerous times over the last few months due to either dehydration or fluid on the lung. In a recent scan a growth was discovered but in reality we know soemthing was there several months ago and it has just been watched to see if anything happened.    Obviously something is happening now.  

Mom decided at 83 years of age that she is goign to do treatment and try to beat this but then who is surprised by anyone that truly knows her.  She is a fighter.  This week is the week we are trying to get everything in place for treatment and all the necessary doctor and medical appointments.  Today was several visits related to all of this and tomorrow will be more visits with even more on Wednesday and possibly Thursday even.  Her spirits are excellent but she is extremely tired as literally she just gets to sleep and someone else shows up for another assessment.   Mom would welcome cards, flowers and encouraging messages throughout this ordeal which may take several weeks, if not months of treatment.   I realize some of you may not have mom's        address and if you want it please contact a family member privately either by Facebook or you can respond here and we will get it to you but please be   patient and bear with us as her care is top priority obviously.  

Our goal is for mom to stay at her home with one of us staying with her but yet allowing her to have some independence.   As a result we are trying to leave her alone for short periods of time.  If you desire to come visit with her realizing that she may be sleeping and to give one of us a break contact us.  Also if just stopping by for visits please limit your time to 15 - 30 minutes max as rest is what she truly needs the most.  You may want to verify we will be there though. 

Please don't forget her or us as this walk can be a very lonely walk when it is just family members involved.  We will try to cooperate with your schedule.  If we don't recognize who you are please don't be offended if we ask your interest as to why you want her address.  All of us are tired now and there are days we are not thinking straight now as we are still trying to carry on with on our lives as well.    You can respond here or if you have one of our numbers you can  contact us direct. 

This week (September 25, 2017) we will learn exactly what stage this is in and it will be posted that day sometime but likely that evening.   We do know that this week will be the beginning of giving her some relief so she does not have to return continually for the fluid to be drained from the lung.   Chemo may not start until next week but we will knwo more later this week.      The easiest to stay connected with us is to connect with us on Facebook and then when this page is            updated we will post it there.  I believe there is also a way to do as such via Caring Bridge too but not totally certain. 

We are already being asked what can be done and the most important thing presently is prayers for each of us to have stamina and endurance and understanding spouses and employers. Adding our finances in there wouldn't hurt either a it is a train obviously as all of us are traveling or missing work occasionally and the like.  Don't forget to add that our vehicles stay in good working order as well.   At this point in time we are not aware of any dietary restrictions specifically for mom but we do know there will be a lot of fowl involved the next few weeks and months.  We also know sugar is not encouraged at all.  If all goes as planned we can share those dietary restrictions in the next post for those who have explicitly expressed interest in making meals.      

We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.