Prayers for the strongest woman I know - it's kinda long

Nov 21, 2014, 9:24 AM

Several people post prayer requests on these boards. I have never done this, but would like for you guys (or those that will) to pray for my mama and my family.
We have been fighting Stage IV Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for two years now. She is 66 years old. After two very aggressive rounds of chemo, that spanned over 7 months, she went into remission for 7 months. Last April, the cancer returned and she went through another very aggressive chemo and we were working towards a bone marrow transplant this past summer. There are several stages to a transplant of this magnitude and unfortunately, she could not collect enough stem cells to proceed. We were devastated. In August, she went through yet another aggressive treatment that had just recently came out of a clinical trial to keep the cancer at bay and try to get her ready for another bone marrow transplant attempt this fall.

Yesterday, which was also her birthday (something she shares with Dabo),we went to her appointment to begin the process again and the news wasn't exactly what we wanted to hear. Disappointment is an understatement. Her counts are very low and they do not anticipate a favorable collection and told us to not be surprised if we could not go forward in the process. This morning, as I type, she is enduring yet another chemo treatment and everyday for the next 10 days (even on Thanksgiving) she will have to be seen for blood work and shots that boost production. All of this to extend her life and attempt to rid her body of this nasty disease.

Why am I sharing all of this? My mom - my parents - are the reason I have such a deep love for the Clemson Tigers. Many, many of our family memories are from Death Valley and following the Tigers to bowl games, away games and everything in between. She is a fighter and could have easily given up at any point during all of these "trials." But, she continues because she doesn't want to leave this ole' earth yet. How easy would it have been for her to wallow in self-pity and wonder why me? But instead she is resolute on beating this. As her daughter, it has been incredibly gut-wrenching to watch. The emotional highs and lows that you experience, you hope no one would ever have to go through. However, we are a family that believes in the power of prayer and miracles. So, if you will, please lift us up in your prayers and remember the strongest woman I know - my mama.

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Hi Tigerchick:

You may recognize the woman in the attached photo. That's my mom. I know you'll recognize the guy.

I have never posted anything on Tigernet, although I am on it regularly. I've also never replied to a post. You're my first. I felt a need to respond to your request.

First of all, consider the prayers for you and your family done. Anyone who has not been thru what you and your family is going thru simply cannot understand. It will affect you and your loved ones in ways that even you may not fully comprehend. Secondly, the best advice I can offer you during this time is to put your trust in the Lord. That is what Dabo preached to my mom, while she was battling stage 4 cancer of the liver and lungs. No one knows what God's plan is for us. Dabo told mom to be strong and to fight like hell . . . and that's what mom did.

When she was diagnosed, mom was 82. We were told that there was little the doctors could do, short of chemotherapy. And we were told that her life expectancy would be in the order of months. Mom took Dabo's message to heart (although at that point she had already been battling for a year). She lived 2 and 1/2 years after being diagnosed. During that time, we had 2 wonderful family trips to Fripp Island (where my family has gone every year for the past 40). In addition, mom was able to attend her youngest granddaughter's wedding (1 and 1/2 years after her diagnosis) where she danced with her husband of 63 years and all her kids and grandchildren. She lived to see her first great grandchild endure 3 open heart surgeries and emerge on the other side a relatively healthy child.

My point is, no one knows how much time we all have here on earth. Cherish every day with your mom. Support her and love her. God has a plan and only He knows what that plan is. Ultimately, He took my mom home (this past February), but His gift to us was that time with her that we did not think we would have.

God bless you and your family. I feel your pain.

Sincerely,

Ray Cartee

Prayers for the strongest woman I know - it's kinda long

Good luck and Godspeed to you and your mom T.C.00!!*****

And we sit around complaining about which QB to play!

Many prayers for your Mother and family. Be Tiger strong !***

Prayers offered for her and your family.***

ThX for sharing..HBD to MaMa..Prayer given..GoTiGERS & Happy TGiving!

The easiest thing I will do today

Re: Prayers for the strongest woman I know - it's kinda long

Re: Prayers for the strongest woman I know - it's kinda long

Re: Prayers for the strongest woman I know - it's kinda long

Re: Prayers for the strongest woman I know - it's kinda long

done

Will keep her and your family in my prayers

Praying!

Re: Prayers for the strongest woman I know - it's kinda long

Re: Prayers for the strongest woman I know - it's kinda long

Re: Prayers for the strongest woman I know - it's kinda long

Re: Prayers for the strongest woman I know - it's kinda long

Bless her heart and yours. Prayers daily for you both.***

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