Mary Elizabeth (Cricket) Watts Silva Cricket Silva

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Today I have decided it is time to share with our family and friends, who do not yet know about my mom.

 It's been difficult for me to share this news as putting this out there makes this real and I guess we (I) have not been ready for that.  Anyone who knows my mom knows she’s most comfortable in being the caretaker, giver and problem solver.  She absolutely hates the thought of being a burden to others and will quickly change the subject when confronted about any of her potential problems. She is the true definition of being others centered.  She is the rock of this great big crazy family and we have probably run her slightly ragged over the years with that. 


On Jan 1st my mom had a heart attack.  To be honest I knew something was up as she usually likes to go out with dad on New Year’s Eve to celebrate and this year they stayed in.  I received a 911 call from my sister-in-law Nadia,New Year’s day early evening, that mom was in the ER for a potential heart attack.  We all headed that way immediately.  One of the things I will always remember about that night, other than how scared we all were, is how our entire family, including the grandchildren,  all showed up.  We sat together comforting one another as we waited for the news of her procedure.  We laughed and we cried and I was full of pride thinking how blessed I am to be apart of such a strong family unit. I did feel a very strong sense that she was going to be okay that night.   Days after her heart attack things were just not getting any better so she went back to her primary doctor.  She explained that she still was feeling the same as the night of her heart attack and she didn’t feel like anyone was listening to her.    She had been at the Mayo for quite some time in treatment for horrible outbreaks of skin cancers all over her legs...I can’t put into words what a nightmare that was for her just dealing with the constant surgeries.  So her Doctor finally listened and ordered x-rays.   The x-rays revealed several spots throughout various parts of her body.  Needless to say the concern was now real.  From there she was referred to the Oncology department at the Mayo.  After many horrible tests, biopsies and days of agonizing, we were given the results of Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, which had also metastasized into her bones.   My dad and I were with her at her bedside when the Dr delivered the news. I'm not sure I will ever forget the absolute feeling of grief I had for my mom and dad in that moment. The love that they share is something I can’t get enough of and to see them come face to face with this kind of news was just more than my heart could handle.  We were angry and confused.  How the heck did this happen while she had been in treatment for so long?

In typical Cricket fashion it was GAME ON! She continued to put everyone else's needs above hers.  She put her game face on and went to work trying to figure out how were going to fight this.  So here we sit March 26th and 2 Chemo treatments later.  We did a lot of reading, research, looked into natural remedies and mom has decided with the help of her Doctors that this is the best route for her.  We were given some hope of prolonging her life.  Since this decision she has been in and out of the ER multiple times and spent many nights at the Mayo with heart issues and infections.  Her fight is a little less enthusiastic today as it was when we first found out the news.This is due to the constant nausea and pain she is dealing with.  However, she continues to do all that is asked of her and tries with all that she has to do it well.  She is having a very hard time keeping food down.  I know her and she so badly wants to eat but it’s just so difficult right now. SO… tonight I decided it’s time to call out to all of you, all of my prayer warrior friends for prayer.  We are asking for healing.  We are asking for the suffering to STOP.  We are asking for peace and for guidance.  We are asking for endurance.   My mother is the strongest women I know.  But now she needs us to be strong with her and fight this cancer with prayer.  Please come along side of us.