Monday, July 30, 2007

Cancer. No one can prepare you for that word. My mother-in-law just called while I was blithely making dinner. I chatted her ear off about Ethan's mild illness. I just went on and on. Then, she asked me if I had read my e-mail lately. No, I hadn't. She was on her way home from a pelvic scan. The had had a D&C due to some post-menopausal bleeding. All polyps benign, but there were some pre-cancerous cells and some mature, cancerous cells. She was just making jokes about growing polyps like zucchini.

My husband was home, upstairs getting ready to go paint for a little old lady. Another of my great-aunts to be exact, but not Aline, the sick one. I paused on the phone with Rhoda. That is my MIL's name, Rhoda. Was I supposed to tell her son that his mother had cancer? No. No, I won't do that. He will have a 1,000 coldly, logical questions that I won't be able to answer. Rhoda, had better tell him. And she did.

Now..... There are only a few cells that we know of. The pelvic scan will tell us more. Then there is they hysterectomy on August 10th. Then..... Treatment options discussed.

Andy, my strong husband. Quiet. Didn't have a thing to say during dinner. I am surprised we even ate. Rhoda is such a woman of faith. She is not even afraid or even phased, really. Kind of strange, although I know that the reality will set in sooner rather than later. So, now, he is off painting for a little old lady.

I feel kind of strange. So, don't mind me. Just a little shocked. This lady was my high school Spanish teacher. She wrote me letters when I was in China, teaching English. We have loved and fought with each other for 10 years.

5 comments:

Dana said...

I'm at a loss for words. All I can write is that I'm thinking about you, your husband and most especially, your mother-in-law and sending lots of warm thoughts, prayers & positive wishes.

Nana Sadie said...

Shock is normal. The positives ARE there - only a few cells, surgery scheduled. Hold to that. B/c the positive thoughts MATTER. As does the prayer. And they both make ALL the difference in the world...promise!
You're in mine, as is Rhoda.
((((hugs))))

jody said...

Do you just hate how our parents just sort of spring news like that on us? I cannot recount the number of times both my in-laws and parents have casually mentioned that they were in the hospital LAST week for some very serious issue-as if we should not know RIGHT AWAY?? I am sorry for the shock and the upsetting news-but God know the plans He has for you (all!) (Jer. 29:11) I will be emailing you-I got your note and have just been up to my ears in LIFE.

Nikki said...

Oh, Catie! My thoughts and prayers are will all of y'all.

let me know if there's anything I can do to help... I'll even come over in the heat and sit with you if you need it! (I mean hey, no a/c here, no a/c there, I can sweat either place!! LOL)

IndigoMuse said...

Many, many prayers coming your way. Don't get too upset until you have all of the test results in. And I know I don't have to remind you to pray :)