So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10
On March 9th 2018 our mother was recently diagnosed with stage 4 high grade Burkitt Lymphoma Cancer. This all started with a swollen lymph node on the left side of her neck that grew over a period of 3 months. During those 3 months she had many other symptoms such as night sweats, chills, fevers, bodily aches to needle like pain in her bones through her body and pancreatitis to eventually not being able to eat normally like she had for the last 47 years of her life due to the flare-ups that it can bring up. If any of you know our Mother, you will probably describe her as a very friendly, humble, unconditional, giving, sweet, encouraging and selfless person. Regardless if it's time, strength, or financially, she is always willing to help. Through the many obstacles that came her way she would still put her children and even strangers before herself. During those 3 months she worked 60+hours a week to provide for her family because she doesn't want to burden her children or make them worry. Finally when her pancreatitis symptoms was just too much to bare, on the night of her daughter's wedding she was admitted to the hospital. Through the multiple doctor appointments, biopsies and scans starting before March 1, 2018, we finally were able to sit down with her Hematology doctor on March 27th to go over in detail of her diagnosis. As I interpreted for my mother-in-law and her doctor, explaining that she has cancer that is aggressive and have spread through out her body to the outer layer of her bones I thought to myself, why her? For whatever the reason may be, regardless if it's due to high stress or overworking she does not deserve this. No one does. She is the most selfless person I've ever met in my whole 30 years of life and I will probably never understand why her.
The one time when she put herself first, it should be to a getaway vacation to a dream location like her homeland of Laos and the mountains and vast body of waters in the World; it shouldn't be requesting to be treated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Per our Mother's wish, she believes in the mission and values of the Mayo Clinic, therefore we will be seeking treatment for her there until she is completely cured of this horrible illness.
On April 9th, she started her first cycle and round of chemotherapy. We will update all friends and families via this page; however don't hesitate to keep our Mother and our family in your daily prayers. God is almighty and sovereign and I believe that with a 80%+ success rate she will be cancer-free in time.
She got her first dose of chemo yesterday. She was nervous but brave. Throughout this week, she will be getting more administrations of the medications through the access port on her right chest but in other ways as well. There are 2 Lumbar Punctures (LP) this week (a needle is inserted between two lumbar bones (vertebrae) to remove a sample of cerebrospinal fluid, www.Mayoclinic.org) and they will be administering some of the medications in this way.
Her pancreatitis has calmed down and she is now able to eat more. Her diet is being watched closely and is drinking water regularly. The cause of pancreatitis is still unknown.
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