The link first since the OP is long:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025003416The OP:
PCIntern (14,863 posts)
My mid-sixties sister-in-law is on her deathbed...
Eight months ago she experienced some disturbing symptoms and went straight to her doctor. Several tests were quickly performed and a hysterectomy was indicated which she had performed within two weeks. Upon biopsy, endometrial cancer was discovered but serendipitously, the pathologist noted another type of cellular presence which indicated that she had clear cell carcinoma. Upon her consultation with her female physician, the doctor put her arms around her shoulders and said to her, "I'm so sorry I have to tell you this, but..." and went on to discuss the ramifications of the diagnosis. My sister-in-law, who is ever-practical, asked her what would honestly be the best adjective to describe her chances of beating this, and the doctor, after some hesitation replied, "dismal", since it had spread to the lymph nodes.
Over the next few months, chemotherapy was attempted but to no avail. The tumor has invaded many of her organs including her digestive system and she cannot receive nutrition of any type and is wasting away on IV fluids. She is very brave and has come to terms in many ways with her life and her existence which is now measured in days. She is deeply concerned for my brother, who is in remission himself from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (the 'bad one' as Larry David termed it on Curb Your Enthusiasm) and cannot withstand too many insults to his immune system. She is facing oblivion with resolve and calm.
I speak with her everyday between 6 and 7 A.M. and we talk at length about the past and the future as it relates to the family. She did not have children and her family of origin is quite small so it has fallen to me to act as a sounding board and confidante, a labor which I willingly accept. Each day her voice diminishes in intensity and volume. I have no real sense how much longer this will continue but having been through similar situations before the phone call indicating finality is always a shock.
I post this not to seek sympathy from strangers, but to put her imminent death in context with the six people murdered by the latest miscreant in California. The parents, siblings, extended family, friends, teachers and acquaintances did not have an instant of rationalization or preparedness for the horror. It is an indescribable manner in which to lose someone and is in stark contrast to what my family is enduring at this very moment. I actually wept when I saw that father up on that podium and was just so appreciative of his anger and his courage to say what he said about the NRA and their toadies in Congress. I only wish I could be more optimistic about the direction of the nation but I am not.
A bunch of posts follow expressing sympathy. Not necessarily something I would normally bring over... until she politicized it.
Dayum.. do the dummies have no shame at all? Her relative is dying for crying out loud!!!!
Sorry about your relative Dummie... sounds to me like you don't give a damn about her.
