Ceil Berlin

To our dear friends and family, our lovely, funny, beautiful, smart, dynamic, demanding, forthcoming, savy, classy, and did I say funny Mom has been diagnosed with stage 4 Cholangiocarcinoma, or Bile Duct Cancer.  


As most of you know she was diagnosed with Alzheimers "like" dementia in July of 2016 and that has been so sad for my sister Sally and I but has been the most interesting of times.  My mother is delightful and silly and funny and just the best of herself with her dementia.   But now, Cancer seems to have moved in and she has two roommates living inside of her and as many of you know, she much prefers to live alone!!


Here is what she said when the Oncologist told her about her Cancer:


"I have 3 things to say........1.  I don't want to be fussed over.   2.  I want to accept this like a grown up.   3.  I don't want chemo or surgery, I want to accept what I have and have whatever fun I can have.   4. (I know she said 3 things but then she went on to say a 4th) Don't eat from my plate."    Here is the context for this........When my grandmother was dying of Cancer (and it was either Bile Duct or Liver Cancer, there is some disagreement about that amongst her sisters) mom had some of my Grandmother's left over ice cream and was petrified that she was going to catch it.  She actually asked the doctor twice if that was possible.  We all sort of chuckled.    The irony of her having the same Cancer as her mother has not escaped her.


My mother is a brave and strong woman.  No doubt she will walk this path with dignity, humor and surrounded by the love of so many.  
Hospice has been enlisted and we have a wonderful aide that is committed to being with us and we are grateful for her and all the love and support of you all. 


This is the story as we live it now.  The story will change and I will continue to tell it to you.
With deep sadness, Susan & Sally