Strong as a steel girder - 2023 06 24

 

Now that the excitement of family visits and gatherings has eased off, I have started broaching the topic of what it means to have our life come to an end with Mom.

We now have confirmed that she has cancer in her lymph nodes in her neck and the next step would be implementing a course of treatment, which would include further diagnostics with an MRI scan. The MRI scan would mean hospitalization, sedation and getting up on the machine table. All of these steps would be extremely difficult for Mom and entail risks to her current health and well being. 

When we discussed the option of treatment a couple of weeks ago, she was dead set against it. She does not want to go into a hospital.

The MRI would only be the least invasive step for treatment, which would also likely require surgery and chemotherapy. It is highly unlikely that Mom would survive the treatment. 

My approach to broaching the topic of what comes next is about how we prepare for Mom's declining health. What supports can we put in place? What can we expect will be the impact of the cancer on her ability to breathe? On her ability to swallow? On her strength?

As I put Mom to bed last night she struggled to stand to undress, "I am weak", she said, calmly, quietly, matter of factly, gently.

"I know, Mom. You are weak, and you are also as strong as a steel girder." She smiled and straightened up a bit. "Let's get that sweater off. Here is your nightgown."

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