Love and friendships helped me survive

 In Opinion

I never thought I could miss and love so many people – I can never get Creemore off my mind.

October 1, 2015 was a change in my life I never saw coming. After visiting Dr. Engell, I was completely breathless and 9-1-1 was called. The only warning was a tickle in my throat and the last week I had had trouble swallowing. After a very quick trip to Collingwood via ambulance, three hours later, my daughter Julie was brought in to the emergency room to find me in a drug-induced coma with a breathing tube down my throat.

My care was too complex for Collingwood and despite the girls’ encouragement for a transfer to Toronto, I was sent to Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. For 24 days I was in ICU, but I don’t remember my time there. The girls, Julie and Allison were absolutely fantastic, but the outpouring of love and genuine concern overwhelmed them and the blog was started to keep everyone up-to-date on my care.

The pathologist discovered I had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and an aggressive, fast growing tumour surrounding my trachea and esophagus. The tumor was 12 cm long and 8.5 cm wide. The girls were told I had a five per cent chance of surviving and it was suggested that I could go to palliative care. The girls said no, Mom is going to be alright and they never gave up on me.

The doctors decided Mount Sinai/Princess Margaret Hospital was the place to treat me. At Mount Sinai I would stay in the ICU, and Princess Margaret oncologists would treat the cancer. On Oct. 24, I was transported via Ornge Ambulance. I could open my eyes for just minutes some days and I would see Julie or Allison. Their eyes told me every day ‘you better keep fighting’, so I never gave up. Julie lives in Oakville and Allison lives in Toronto, and they have been with me every day. My tracheostomy was inserted on Nov. 10 and a feeding tube shortly after. I could not eat, walk or talk. The girls told me that I had to have five sessions of chemotherapy, five days in a row, three weeks apart. They said, “Mom, do you want the good news or the bad news? The bad news is, you have five sessions of chemo to do, the good news is, you slept through two of them.” So, we carried on!

The kids read to me, bought me a DVD player and I’ve watched a lot of movies. The cards and gifts and letters have made me cry of course because I miss everyone. There were some setbacks but on Dec. 1, I was moved to Princess Margaret to continue chemotherapy. My friend Joyce Millsap was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on the floor above me. The Millsap kids were terrific and supportive. My girls and Joyce’s girls became good friends and stuck together for support. If they came to visit their mom, they would always pop in to see me. Glenda’s husband Kevin played cribbage and Yahtzee with me – thanks Kevin for letting me win all those games!

Christmas Day came and went with all the family in my hospital room and of course my adorable little grandson Chase brightened everyone’s faces. On Jan. 1, I started my fifth and last chemotherapy treatment. It was probably the hardest on my body and after some complications, I ended up back in Mount Sinai ICU, very ill for one week. I regained my strength and health and went back to Princess Margaret. On Feb. 11, I was sent for a follow up CT scan and the doctor told us there was no Lymphoma left! I had surgery on May 5 at Toronto General Hospital where my throat was repaired. I cannot tell you how many blood transfusions, x-rays, CT scans,  prodding and poking I endured. Cancer is a nasty disease. There is a sign on my wall that says, “Never, ever, EVER give up” – that is now my motto. I do a lot of physio now to get stronger, and I will have to go to a rehab centre to learn how to walk, talk and swallow again.

While all this was going on, all my miracle workers were doing their things.

My favourite little brother Ivan did yard and garden work, fixed my van and did all the things I didn’t have to worry about. Ivan’s wife Carol and my sister Helen amazed me by jumping on the GO Train from Barrie down to Union Station to spend time with me, always bringing me DVDs and gifts.

I love my friends Chris Currie and Janet Root for visiting often. My buddy Anna Fox helped every way she could, supporting my girls and coming to see me, and great phone calls I could listen to. Georgi was always calling and visiting and bringing me craft kits. Joanne and Kirsten came down and did my nails and trimmed my hair. Most of my hair fell out after my first chemo treatment, but my girls did my nails and brought me earrings and bracelets, and as long as I matched, I was okay.

Thank you to Laura and the Mad and Noisy Quilters for the two lovely comfort quilts, all the pink and mauve, all kittens, houses and hearts.

My coffee club girls that meet Monday morning at Henry’s, they are missed so much – Orneva, Billie, Susan, Marg, Helen, Dorothy, Helen and Ann. The Simcoe County Quilt Guild in Barrie has been very supportive. Thank you for all the beautiful cards and notes.

Some of my very good friends from Penetanguishene came down and brought me fabric and got me back stitching again. Thanks to the bowling team for the pictures.

They say good things come to those who wait. I have learned patience and it is amazing how well you listen when you can’t talk.

I have found out how terrific my girls are. They have fought for me and have been there every day.

I will be home soon to the village I love, and the people I miss so very much. Thank you to everyone who sent cards, wrote on the blog and enquired about me.

I know the love and friendships I have helped me to survive.

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