Precious life
It was a beautiful Sunday morning, I’ve been up early getting ready to pick up my aunt and her family, who was coming from Texas, for a week’s vacation to Boston. A trip that was planned way in advance with exciting plans of visiting New York, a dual surprise party for our Mom’s retirement and our oldest sister’s 40th birthday on 7/28 while they were in town.
All plans were shattered and our lives were turned upside down with one single phone call from my Mom on that beautiful Sunday morning.
She was sobbing uncontrollably as she gave me the devastating news. Our oldest sister has had headaches for the past two weeks. A visit to her doctor, the week before, resulted in prescription medication that did not alleviate the pains. She finally went to get an MRI (which her doctor told her she didn’t need one but my sister persisted) that beautiful Sunday morning, at our insistence and pleading, and was told that they needed to transport her to the Emergency Room ASAP. The MRI spotted a mass the size of a golf ball in her left frontal lobe of the brain.
I couldn’t make out what my Mom was telling me at first. It was too incredulous and shocking to believe that this can happen to my precious beautiful sister. I thought I was having a really bad nightmare and once I open my eyes, the nightmare will disappear. Unfortunately, the nightmare played out in real life as we shed many tears for our beloved sister who was checked into the hospital awaiting for more definitive answer as to what this mass was. One of the many questions on everyone’s mind was: is it a benign or malignant mass?
It pained me to see her oldest child who is 13 (he and his two sisters have been staying with us in the interim) sitting in the dark crying for his Mom. The only thing I could do was cry along with him and reassure him that everything will be ok.
We were a bit relieved when the neurosurgeon told us Monday that the mass appeared to be benign (from reading the MRI) and surgery was necessary to remove it which was causing the headaches that were plaguing my sister the past two weeks. He also said that this type of mass, on the frontal lobe of the brains, is pretty common among women between 40-70.
Surgery was planned for Wednesday. After five hours in the operating room, it was a success. You can hear a big sigh of relief, miles away, as her husband called to give us the news.
From Sunday on, we were inundated with phone calls from relatives and friends with well wishes and prayers. Not to mention the many visitors she received before and after her surgery. There were so many flowers that the staff needed to move them to another room. My sister told me later on that she didn’t realize that she was so well liked.
I’ve written many posts before about my sisters, who are my bestest of friends, and if you’ve met her…you would love her too. She carries herself with such grace and gentleness. She’s very thoughtful and generous, always putting others first before herself. My youngest sister and I dubbed her the “fugitive” because she’s constantly on the go doing things for her family and others. I have to plan a girls’ day out once in awhile just to get her to enjoy herself.
Needless to say, this has been a very long and exhausting week. We were very sad that she spent her 40th birthday in the hospital, but at the same time extremely happy that we still have her with us to celebrate her precious life until she’s old and gray.
I really believe things happen for a reason, whatever that reason is…it’s unbeknownst to us, but in this case you could say that it couldn’t have happened in a more opportune time as our Mom’s retirement starts on 7/30. She has been caring for my sister since the hospital, and will be her personal “nurse” until my sister recovers, that includes taking care of her three children as well.
I can’t write enough of how much my Mom means to us all. She is one Super Mom whom we are very blessed to be her children. We all feel bad that she hasn’t even had time to enjoy her retirement yet to which she replied that it’s “my responsibility as a mother and that it makes me happy to help out my children.” My sister will definitely recover speedily under her care.
I’ll leave you with this quote which I’ve used before and loved so much, it pretty much sums up how I feel about both of my sisters.
“A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.†Isadora James
It was a beautiful Sunday morning, I’ve been up early getting ready to pick up my aunt and her family, who was coming from Texas, for a week’s vacation to Boston. A trip that was planned way in advance with exciting plans of visiting New York, a dual surprise party for our Mom’s retirement and our oldest sister’s 40th birthday on 7/28 while they were in town.
All plans were shattered and our lives were turned upside down with one single phone call from my Mom on that beautiful Sunday morning.
She was sobbing uncontrollably as she gave me the devastating news. Our oldest sister has had headaches for the past two weeks. A visit to her doctor, the week before, resulted in prescription medication that did not alleviate the pains. She finally went to get an MRI (which her doctor told her she didn’t need one but my sister persisted) that beautiful Sunday morning, at our insistence and pleading, and was told that they needed to transport her to the Emergency Room ASAP. The MRI spotted a mass the size of a golf ball in her left frontal lobe of the brain.
I couldn’t make out what my Mom was telling me at first. It was too incredulous and shocking to believe that this can happen to my precious beautiful sister. I thought I was having a really bad nightmare and once I open my eyes, the nightmare will disappear. Unfortunately, the nightmare played out in real life as we shed many tears for our beloved sister who was checked into the hospital awaiting for more definitive answer as to what this mass was. One of the many questions on everyone’s mind was: is it a benign or malignant mass?
It pained me to see her oldest child who is 13 (he and his two sisters have been staying with us in the interim) sitting in the dark crying for his Mom. The only thing I could do was cry along with him and reassure him that everything will be ok.
We were a bit relieved when the neurosurgeon told us Monday that the mass appeared to be benign (from reading the MRI) and surgery was necessary to remove it which was causing the headaches that were plaguing my sister the past two weeks. He also said that this type of mass, on the frontal lobe of the brains, is pretty common among women between 40-70.
Surgery was planned for Wednesday. After five hours in the operating room, it was a success. You can hear a big sigh of relief, miles away, as her husband called to give us the news.
From Sunday on, we were inundated with phone calls from relatives and friends with well wishes and prayers. Not to mention the many visitors she received before and after her surgery. There were so many flowers that the staff needed to move them to another room. My sister told me later on that she didn’t realize that she was so well liked.
I’ve written many posts before about my sisters, who are my bestest of friends, and if you’ve met her…you would love her too. She carries herself with such grace and gentleness. She’s very thoughtful and generous, always putting others first before herself. My youngest sister and I dubbed her the “fugitive” because she’s constantly on the go doing things for her family and others. I have to plan a girls’ day out once in awhile just to get her to enjoy herself.
Needless to say, this has been a very long and exhausting week. We were very sad that she spent her 40th birthday in the hospital, but at the same time extremely happy that we still have her with us to celebrate her precious life until she’s old and gray.
I really believe things happen for a reason, whatever that reason is…it’s unbeknownst to us, but in this case you could say that it couldn’t have happened in a more opportune time as our Mom’s retirement starts on 7/30. She has been caring for my sister since the hospital, and will be her personal “nurse” until my sister recovers, that includes taking care of her three children as well.
I can’t write enough of how much my Mom means to us all. She is one Super Mom whom we are very blessed to be her children. We all feel bad that she hasn’t even had time to enjoy her retirement yet to which she replied that it’s “my responsibility as a mother and that it makes me happy to help out my children.” My sister will definitely recover speedily under her care.
I’ll leave you with this quote which I’ve used before and loved so much, it pretty much sums up how I feel about both of my sisters.
“A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.†Isadora James
OMG, Betty! I hope everything finally went ok and that your sister is well on her road to recovery. I can’t imagine how scary that whole experience must have been for her and your whole family. Much love and prayers to her and all of you!
OH wow. I am so glad that your sister appears to be alright. Your poor family. That kind of stress can be so tiring and emotionally draining. My thoughts are with your family. Please keep us posted on everybody’s health!
How terrifying!
Thank goodness it turned out fine. What a scare. Hugs to you and all you and your family have been through.
I always wished I had a sister. Treasure every moment you can. I work as a 911 dispatcher and I’m reminded every single day just how fragile life is.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Oh what terrible news, and then what great news. I’m happy to hear that her surgery went well and she is on the mend. What a lucky woman you are to have such a great family.
Wow, that’s just so sad for her and all of you. But it sounds like everything’s going to be fine now. Your sister is very lucky to have you for a sister. I can easily tell you would be a big comfort to her.
I’m so relieved to hear that it sounds like everything will be fine with your sister!! Reading this post not only gave me warm fuzzies, but it made me wish I had a sister ….
The beginning of this post filled me with such dread and left me inspired. Now I can’t wait to see my sisters and give them big hugs. Thank goodness yours will be with you for a long while yet. Whew!
Sending love and quick recovery wishes. You have a wonderful family.
Wow! How scary! I’m so so glad your sister is ok and hope she has a speedy recovery.
Happy retirement to your mom!!!
Betty-
So very happy to hear the success with your sister’s surgery. I wish her nothing but the best and to live a long and healthy life.
I am speechless! And so very relieved to have gotten to the end of your post knowing that all turned out well. Thank you for sharing such a deeply personal and emotional story. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family, Betty.
Oh I’m so glad it was a success. You had me skimming thinking, “did it go okay? Did it go okay???” Hope her recovery is swift. We have some friends who have a 16 month son who suddenly had trouble walking and seeing things, they took him in and he’s got a brain tumor that is cancerous. I can’t imagine having your toddler going through chemo. They’re only giving him a 20% chance of survival as it’s metastisized. It makes you sick to think of those kinds of things happening to good people.
Oh My Goodness! I’m so happy your sister is OK! I’m sending well wishes to you and your family! Yippee for your mom’s retirement, sounds like she will keep herself busy!
Prayers for your sister! Be well.
Oh Betty! This is so scary. Many, many {{hugs}} to you and your family. I’m thinking of you all.
This brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy for you all that she is going to be okay. You can clearly see the love in your whole family, and it would be devastating for you all had it been worse. I’m sending my thoughts for fast recovery and best wishes for you all.
This was lovely (though distressing too) and so glad she is doing better and things are looking up. My sister was just visiting for a week from Los Angeles (I am in the Boston area) and it was amazing because I only see her once every year or two. The nearly daily phone calls keep us connected and I cherish every moment!
In response to your comment at my place - yes, we were visiting my sister in law in Boston. I didn’t make the connection that you are there too!
Best wishes to your family.
Oh my goodness…what a month you’ve had. So glad to hear that she’s going to be ok. It really makes you step back and see how lucky we truly are!
I’m sending good thoughts your way! Hang in there! Your family sounds amazingly close! You’re so lucky!
I am so grateful your sister is okay….
What a magical family you have Betty….
All are so special,and so very grateful to ‘know’ them through you….
I am so sorry for what you and your family are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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