Blue

Loving the beautiful Clematis in our backyard. Usually, such a pretty flower would put a big smile on my face, but I am feeling very blue. You see, my dear sweet mother is ill.

Very ill. She made it through breast cancer, mastectomy, chemo and radiation in 2001,

and now the cancer is back.

Already we know it is in her lungs and her spine. More tests are being done to determine if it has spread elsewhere and just what type of cancer she has. She has had a terrible cough for a few months now, is very tired and has no appetite. The doc said she's lost 20 pounds in the last year -- actually I think it's more like she's lost it in the last 3 months. She seems smaller and more frail every time I see her. We don't live in the same city, and I've been so worried about her (and about my Dad too actually). My twin sister lives there though and has been a tremendous help in taking her to appointments, talking to the docs, keeping me and the rest of us siblings (all 6) updated. I will be forever grateful to her for taking this on, as I know it is not an easy task. I talk to my Mom every night and she sounded like she felt a teensy bit better last night. My heart breaks to have her so ill and suffering, but she has been a real trooper.

If you happen to the praying type, I would reallly appreciate a quick prayer for her

and send some good thoughts our way.