Last night we gathered as a family to be with our mom. We laughed, shared thoughts and feelings, and ended our evening together with prayer. This is something we have done many times together and it was nice to be together on the eve of her first big step in this journey.
Mom handled everything beautifully today. I called her at 6:20 a.m. this morning to give her what we called the "pre-surgery warm-up". (It's the "pump-you-up talk" you get before you enter the big game that always ends with "go...fight...win"). I promised her I would do it and she was waiting for the call. She was upbeat and anxious to get things going. Bentley met mom and dad at the hospital at 6:30 a.m. Everything got going right away and she headed into surgery. By 12:30 p.m. Mom was recovering from surgery and Dad, Bentley and I were visiting with her. She was still upbeat but was surprised to hear that there were 8 lymph nodes found to have been infected with cancer. Mom instantly talked about what was going on this week and what she needed to be worried about. We of course reminded her that her new job was to only worry about herself and getting better. That perhaps might be the biggest challenge of this whole journey.
Mom is now recovering and preparing for the next step to come. Thank you so very much for your kind words of love and encouragement.
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Thanks so much for this background and update. The Wilsons are a Marvelous Family.
ReplyDeleteExpecting to reach her voicemail, I was surprised to be able to reach Gayle/your mother when I called a few moments ago. I was more surprised to hear how coherent she was - what an amazing lady. To me, ANY cancer is serious and ANY cutting is major surgery - especially when eight nodes are involved.
True to form, she was trying to figure out how to make this a positive experience. What a great example she is to me and to all of us. I felt uplifted just talking to her. Even though our conversation was short - I didn't want to tire her - I feel greatly relieved to learn that all went well.
To each of you who are there and can help out in person, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your love and care for this wonderful sister/mother/grandmother, from those of us who can only pray and watch from a distance.
We love Gayle and we love you all,
Rob and Jill
Oh my dear sweet aunt. I am so grateful and thankful that everything seemed to go well today. Keep your chin up. You are an example to SO many around you.
ReplyDeleteLots of Love!
Kim Howell :)
Gayle,
ReplyDeleteYou are a fighter! I hope you know how many people are in your court in this fight! You are like a second mother to me...I have loved and admired you for most of my life! Good luck and I hope I get to come visit with you soon. All my love and prayers...
Kathryn
Dear Sweet Gayle,
ReplyDeleteWhat a year this has been for you and your family. After your foot surgery I was so sorry to hear about your daughters illness and now to hear that you are fighting cancer seems more than your share of challanges. Thank goodness you are such a strong, capable, faithful and positive person because that will get you through. I so admire you and your dear husband and loving family. Know that you have my love and prayers with you also - along with so many friends who have been touched by your uplifting example of goodness and strength. Keep smiling. I'll be up in Utah the first part of June and will come to see you then. Meanwhile know I'm here in Arizona sipping (now pink) lemonade, following your blog and praying for you daily. Love you! Helen