We wanted to give an update on mom. Since our last entry was done when everything was such a whirlwind of information and emotions, we are now on the other side of some of that and wanted to share about mom. 

It’s been about 3.5 weeks since we learned that her treatments were done. On that day they did give us a timeline. That was the first time we had actually heard one from her oncologist and let’s just say.... it wasn’t a timeline anyone wanted to hear. 

Realistically we have always known this cancer is aggressive. We have known that to get a year would be a blessing. What we didn’t realize how hard it is to actually hear the words and then live them out. 

We left there that day with the decision to help mom to live. And really live. Our motto has been and always will be “what mom wants mom gets”. And let’s just say..... she’s living that true! 

In the last 3.5 weeks Mom has gotten to take a school day off with the kids and go to the Children’s Museum, have a pajama party with all her cousins, go to the casino (her favorite pastime), go to Florida for 2 days, lunch with her sister in law (and us too of course!), celebrate her 2 daughters birthdays, and be a special guest at the Disney store!  And tomorrow she wants to go visit her mom again. She’s been able to really live it up!  We are so proud of her. She’s still fighting. 

God has blessed us with this time. As hard as this last year has been....he has allowed us so much joy and memories with her. For that part we are so thankful. There were so many times God could have called her home... but He didn’t. He gifted us with time. And that was only from Him. 

But if we can be honest. We can tell she’s getting tired.

She’s weaker than she was even the end of last week. She gets 2 visits a week from her nurses. And she is starting 2 visits a week from her aide this week. She is also receiving massage therapy and music therapy to help with her anxiety, which have truly helped. 

This hospice company is amazing. They are walking right along side is. And seem to truly care about mom and her wishes and taking care of her. They text with us. And talk to us on the phone. And really just listen and help. They are all so special. And we will forever be thankful for them, just as we are for her oncologist. 

With that said, we don’t know when or how things are going to go. We are moving along on a timeline we obviously have no control over. So we continue to be in the moment with mom everyday. And we take everything literally day by day... sometimes 12 hours at a time. 

So everyone knows, my sister and I (along with our husbands) have told our kids what is going on. They are all aware. And they are all handling it differently. And as well as can be expected. We ask that if you see them, please don’t say much to them about it. They are processing and grieving and that’s so hard to do as they see their Mimi change.  With it being spring break we are over there as much as they want to be. And sometimes it can be too much for their little minds. 

My sister and I are fine talking about it. It’s what’s real. It’s what is going on right now. We don’t like to dwell on it. And are trying to still be “normal” with our families. But of course, we are grieving too. Please pray for us to feel overwhelming peace during this process. 

Our stepdad is her 24/7 caregiver. His role is probably the hardest. He has to care for her all the time. And we know this isn’t easy. It’s so hard to leave her during the day to go home and care for our families, and we are thankful for him and all he does for her. Please pray for his mind. He is feeling stressed and anxious and sad and well.....alllllllllllll the feelings just like us. 

If you want to visit, we would 100% encourage you to do so. Especially now. She is still able to sit up (most of the time) and be present. She doesn’t do a ton of talking anymore but she can and will and always knows what’s going on in front of her. 

We just ask you to please set up a time to see her with one of us. Please text me (Sarah) 317-417-6191 or my sister (Emily) 317-701-7893.

 She gets overwhelmed very easy and the visit may only last 30 minutes or so. And loud voices and situations give her a lot of stress (even our kids now too sometimes) The best times of day to visit are between 10:30-12:30 and 5:00-7:00. We know that’s not always conducive for everyone... but these are her best times of the day. If you want to ask about another time please do. But we may say no. We are doing our best to follow moms lead here with visitors and when I asked her about it today she didn’t answer me. So I’m going off what Jeff, Emily, and I think will be best. 

Please if you want to visit... do it. Text us. We will get back to you as soon as we can. And please don’t take offense if we text back and say mom isn’t up for visitors. It’s literally day by day. 

We thank you all for being with us on this journey. For loving our mom with us. And for being there in all the ways you have been for all of our families. 

God doesn’t tell us we won’t go through hard times, he promises to walk through them with us. And boy has He ever. 

Much love to you all...

Sarah 

Prayer Requests:

1.  Overwhelming peace for mom and our families 

2. Guidance on how to move along in this journey

3. Every moment together is one full of joy and love and sweetness 

4. Mom doesn’t have pain (she is currently having bad pains in her stomach) we are working on controlling this. 

5. Our kids