A Visit with Aunt May and a few Awards

On Thursday afternoon when I was out and about, I decided to stop in and see Aunt May. My regular readers will know that Aunt May has bone cancer and spots have shown up in her head and also in her liver. The prognosis is not good.

Aunt May was told years ago she would never be able to have chemo because she suffers from a rare blood condition. All of her problems started when she was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. After taking radiation treatments and going for her cancer checkups, she was assured she was cancer free. Then, early in 2007, she began to experience terrible leg pain. The doctor told her it was sciatica. The pain continued to get worse as the months passed and in April 2007, she broke her leg when she turned.

Thus began six months of intense pain, surgery to rebuild a hip and radiation. She finally left the hospital in September but had to continue to have radiation treatments out of town. Then in April 2008, they found she had cancer in her head and in her liver. They told her she would have to have chemo and she told them that she was told she could never take it. They advised her that if she didn't have it she would die within two weeks. With it, she may live two months. That was six months ago and she is still going. Aunt May always was one who would prove the doctors wrong.

Thursday went I stopped for a visit, my mother was there. Aunt May is her sister. We had a nice visit and then Mom got ready to leave. I took a photo of Aunt May and Mom because I know that Aunt May doesn't have much time left. There may never be another opportunity for photos of these sisters. I don't have the photo to show you here, as it was taken on Mom's camera, but as soon as I get a chance, I will post it.

After Mom left, Aunt May confided that she almost wished it was all over. Her right leg gives her terrible pain constantly and now there is cancer in her spine. Sleep is hard to come by because the pain keeps her awake. She always was a petite woman, but she has lost a lot of weight. The cancer is progressing and recently the doctors told her that they have done all they can do. However, Aunt May is a fighter and not one to give up hope. She had another consultation at the cancer hospital today and I don't have that report as yet. I will let you know what they had to say.

I had a great visit with my favorite Aunt. I really hate to lose her but I can't wish for her to go on like she is now. I pray the Lord will take her home and relieve her pain and suffering. Please keep her in your prayers.

The award below was present to me by Hootin' Anni. This is what she said when she passed the award along to me:

Mary for her friendship and loving generosity.

Anni we are like two peas in a pod. We have a lot in common and I value your friendship. You are like a sister to me. I am honored to accept it.

According to Anni's blog, this is to be passed on to 8 blogging friends by paying it forward to those who have brought me laughter, joy and friendship through blogging. So here goes:

Marcel at Sitka Daily Photo

Sharon at Sit with Me Awhile

Virginia at Small Reflections

Tipper at Blind Pig and the Acorn

Lady Di at Kitty Justice

Amy at I Love Retro Things - Amy is my newest blogging friend and I look forward to getting to know her better.

Katherine at Yellow Rose Arbor

BJ at Sweet Nothings

Please accept this award with the love it is given and be sure to pass it on to 8 blogging friends. Though I don't always visit on a regular basis, I value each of you in a special way.

Mari at My Little Corner of the World presented me with the Kreativ Blogger Award. Thank you, Mari. I really appreciate it. Sorry it's taken me so long to post it.

I would like to present this award to all my blogging friends who are creative in any way. It doesn't matter if you knit, crochet, make web graphics or are a great cook. You are welcome to have this award.

Mike at Rambling Stuff thinks I'm an awesome blogger friend. Thank you, Mike. I really appreciate it.

I would like to present this award to the following people:

Hootin' Anni at Hootin' Anni's - Anni, you and I are like sisters . I value your friendship.

Pea at Pea's Corner - Pea and I are both from the same area and have met. Pea, I can hardly wait for us to meet up again. You and Steve are so much fun.

Denise from Samaritan Women - Denise inspires me in a special way.

Ann from Ancient One's Place - Ann, you were the first person to ever comment on my blog. We have been friends from day one. Thank you for your warm welcome and for your lasting friendship.

Denise from Edge of Design - Denise, I value your friendship.

Jeni from Down River Drivel - Jeni, we have much in common and I value your friendship.

Carolyn at Talk to Grams - Your stamina and your positive attitude toward life is a real inspiration.

Mary Isabella at Daisy Bouquet - You are one of my regulars and I always enjoy visiting with you. Kiley, you are also included here. Please take a copy for your blog.

Paula at On a Rainy Night - I always enjoy visiting with you. We share a love of farm and reading.

Denise at Shorty Bear's Place - Denise, you were one of my first blogging friends. Thank you for your lasting friendship.

Mari at My Little Corner of the World - Mari, I always enjoy visiting with you. Thank you for being a regular visitor to my blog.

I have so many other blogging friends and the list could go on and on, but I will leave it at ten for now. Please accept this award with the love it is given and pass it along to others.

Jojo at My Random Insantities gave the following award to all of her visitors. Thank you Jojo, I really appreciate it.

There are no rules that come with this award, so I would like to present it to everyone who visits me, just as Jojo did. So many of you inspire me when I visit your blogs and you all are most deserving.

Thank you to everyone who has present me with an award. I love to display them on my awards pages. All of you are great blogging friends and you mean a lot to me. Though I may not visit as often as I would like, I value your friendship.

In other news, Meeko has been invited to join Rusty's Squirrel Patrol by Rusty at Chasing Squirrles with Rusty. Thank you so much, Rusty. Meeko is honored.

Enjoy your weekend and take some time out to enjoy the sights, sounds and fragrances of the season. ~Blessings, Mary~

Please Pray for my Aunt

Some of you have been asking about Aunt May. I tried to call her a few days ago, but there was no answer. I figured that she must still be out of town where she goes for her radiation and chemo treatments. I left a message asking her to call me when she felt up to it. Sunday afternoon the phone rang and she and I had quite a lengthy chat about life and death.

Aunt May went through five days of radiation in the middle of June for the lump on her spine. Last week she had two rounds of chemo. Her doctors are treating her cancer aggressively, but since she has a rare blood condition, the treatments make her weak. A couple of weeks ago, she had to have iron intravenously to bring her blood count up because they would not give her chemo while it was so low. Now it is low once again, so she will have to have more iron. This is very hard on her and they are wanting her to have two transfusions as well.

Years ago Aunt May had a horrific reaction to a transfusion and the doctors at that time told her she could never have another. When she went into the hospital with her broken leg in April 2007, the doctor ordered a transfusion for her. It just happened that hubby and I went to visit just before it was started. She said she would be fine, but I could tell by her eyes that she was terrified. I told her we would stay with her and we did. Luckily, there were no adverse effects, but once again she is frightened to have these transfusions. I told her it was her choice and not to let them do anything to her that she didn't want them to do.

As we talked, she told me that the cancer is now in her head and her liver. She knows that she is dying and told me it's just a matter of time. This saddened me because she is my favorite aunt and because she has experienced many health problems her entire life.

We discussed different things and I told her that I hated to see anyone lie in bed in excruitiating pain for weeks or months. I said I would prefer they were taken home before that happened. She was quite honest with me and said, "I fear that is what the end will be like for me."

I answered, "I pray not."

Her reply was, "You better pray hard."

She also voiced her desire that she would like to pass quickly. I think that is something that we all desire, but that wish isn't always granted.

So I am asking each of you to ask God to have mercy upon my Aunt May and take her home before she has to experience such pain. Her life has been hard and she deserves to die with dignity. I will keep you updated on her condition from time to time. Thanks in advance for your prayers, love and support. ~Blessings, Mary~