good news from the carpe diem department

Last week, my brother and I took a trip to see mom in South Carolina. It was planned as an intervention of sorts after we caught wind that mom, who was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer last year, was still smoking. We just wanted to remind her that there's a lot to try and live for since our calls and emails haven't been replied to for quite some time. The last time we saw her in August she was in bad shape with all the chemo and radiation treatments she was going through. We didn't know what to expect or how we were going to be received.

I am happy to report that there were no cigarettes present for the three days we were there. And she looked good too! Last summer she couldn't eat much because her throat burned when she swallowed. That's gone now and her hair and weight are coming back strong.

The really good news came when the phone rang this morning and it was her saying her latest pet scan shows the cancer is all but gone and she is being released from most of her treatments.

I know it's hard to give up a 40 year habit. I am very proud of her strength and hopefully her commitment to stay clear of cigarettes and ultimately be lung cancer free.





Mom pretending to look for shells but actually prowling for studs.