My Mother's hand in mine for the last time of our lives.
© 2003 Jeanne C. Walters
The picture was taken a couple days before PC took the life of my Mother who was Diagnosed July 7, 2003 she Died Oct. 11, 2003
She had not been aware the photo was taken. Morphine kept her unconscious in a good way, pain free way, in a bad way too as we could no longer talk, Mama and I. Not at all. As I held her hand that night
I knew I would never see her hand in mine again, the time was approaching fast yet as unreal as it may seem, one still has hope for a miracle. I was losing her to a battle we fought together for three months. On the good days we had hope again that her body was fighting it, the following day she could not eat, too weak to move, sick & in pain. This is one part of the cruelty of Pancreatic Cancer, you know there isn't any hope yet you still hang on as you watch the Beast, PC, allow one good day just to make the next day so much more worse.
Approximately 32,000 people are diagnosed with PC yearly in the USA alone. Approximately the same die from PC yearly. By the time one is diagnosed the Cancer is NOT containable. “Whipple” surgery Operation may extend their life along with Chemo Therapy giving up to 1 to 5 years of life, give or take! Few make the 1 year. Are you ready to hear the words; “You have 3 to 6 Months to live. ”It is the most aggressive Cancer Without mercy to age! Just look at our Album, April was only 21 years of age!
What can you do? Help with public awareness: http://pancan.org Donate to research http://www.lustgarten.org/And pray! Before it is YOU or your loved one. It cannot bring my Mother back nor erase the memories of her suffering but it can save future lives.
How could we have known that Pancreatic Cancer is the " Silent Killer? " that when one is diagnosed it is usually too late! We need early detection, research is needed badly! When one begins to have stomach pain, center, side or lower back pain, center back pain, belching, hiccups, indigestion that person is usually treated for ulcers or acid reflux, my Mother was. I believe as many do, these ARE early symptoms, my opinion as well as others who walked the walk. Skin may look a bit yellow to very yellow, jaundice sets in from the tumor blocking the bile duct. Could one know Pancreatic is the most aggressive Cancer ? When I took my Mother to ER , could we have ever thought that in 3 Months my Mother would die? The answer is, no. We lack education, awareness and the funds for this type of Cancer. As it is the most aggressive it takes the life in the cruelest manner! Ask any Caregiver, Family member what it is like, you will find we survive but we are changed forever. The last Statistic of new cases per year has risen from approximately 31,000 yr. in 2003, to 32,000 in yr. 2005 and about the same die per year! No age, gender, no mercy. I am seeing more on the John Hopkins board; age is in their 40's. Please Donate to at least one link on the main page of PC Angels or to the University, Hospital of your own choice and help to find a Cure and Early Detection. Be part of ending this madness. Thank you & may God Bless you & your loved ones!
"To hold your hand in mine again
To hear your comforting voice
To do just one more thing for you
Is my prayer, my wish, my choice"
I miss you as much as ever Mama.
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This picture is one when she was young, I believe we are young in the new body God gives after we are free from these, Mama looks beautiful & has no pain!