Happy Mothers Day Mom.

[Jungle Rat]

I know this will probably be our last. Im ok with that now. As long as we make sure you are pain free. That's the goal now.

[T Dot O Dot]

much love to all the mom's in the world

especially yours JR

[Bklyn]

Indeed.

[smeee]

*wishing for a painfree time for rat's mom*

[Jungle Rat]

Thanks to all of you. Brought her home from the hospital today. She's already being a pain in the ass. I told her to sit in that chair until I came back with her dinner yet I come home and she's up going through her mail and adjusting her thermostat. Old people are so fucking stubborn. God dammit I hear her moving around downstairs right now. I gotta go home and pack because I have a feeling I'm gonna be here for awhile. Now she's bitching about why the Reds arent playing because It's not raining here. She was watching NASCAR. I fixed it to the right Fox channel. I removed a mouse trap yesterday because mice don't invade when it's warm out. She just called me to ask if I caught a mouse because a trap is missing. This is gonna be another long, strange, trip I have a feeling.

[smeee]

lol...she Is a firecracker...

[Jungle Rat]

She's a scud missile

[smeee]

you're probably right...

[Jungle Rat]

Stage 4 Breast Cancer. 6 months tops if she gives up, 2 years if she fights it. She's already refused Chemo saying it prolongs the end. It's her call.

[hedge]

Sorry to hear it, Rat. My mom was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago, didn't look good. She did the whole nine yards (radiation, chemo, steroids) and she's still kicking, but she said if it comes back, she ain't doing chemo again. Good luck, whatever your mom decides...

[10ac]

Yeah, good luck Rat. My mom had a very curable type of cancer but had a stroke the night before she was going to take chemo.

[smeee]

i'm sorry to hear...i wish her a peaceful journey..no matter what her decision...

[Bklyn]

All the best, Rat and Mama Rat. I have no idea how tough it must be.

[Jungle Rat]

Thanks. I lost my dad to prostate cancer back in 94 so we've delt with this before. She won't take chemo because she says it just delays the inevitable

[hedge]

No disrespect to your mom, b/c I know this is a totally different situation, but you could say the same thing about breathing...

[Jungle Rat]

True

[smeee]

chemo is a personal decision...i know a few people who had it, were sooo sick and survived their cancer...and an equal number that had it, struggled with the sickening effect of it and passed on..albeit, spent a few more months alive but not feeling well enough to participate in life...

it's a tough call...but in the end..it has to be your own decision...

once again..sorry rat...and you're a good man..despite everything i've been led to believe..
;p

[Jungle Rat]

They spelled out her options to her Friday minus the chemo approach because they knew she wasn't going for it. She has a PET scheduled for Tuesday so we can see where we really are. We still don't know where else it is. No matter what, it's her call. My job is to see her wishes through. As long as it doesn't involve chickens and mayo. She never told me the story behind that slip of the tounge many years ago.

[smeee]

nothin' like a great chicken salad...eh?

you should take in a tape recorder and record her stories....something i wish i had thought of...it would be a hoot to listen to years down the road...and share with the peanuts..
she sounds likea super cool lady..

[hedge]

They do have alternative therapies (and by alternative, I'm not talking about coffee enemas and witch doctors, but legit therapies other than chemo), one of which is something to do with steroids. They used that on my mom and she's convinced that that's what worked for her (although she also did chemo and radiation). At any rate, even if she chooses not to do chemo (and alot of people choose not to), there are still other options that don't completely wipe you out like chemo. Good luck whatever she decides. You have the right attitude about this, Rat, as you said, your job now is to be her advocate and make sure he wishes are honored...