A year ago this time, I wrote it was going to be the Christmas ever. Well, it was a good Christmas, because our family got to spend some time together.
But it was also tempered somewhat. We learned a year ago on Wednesday evening a week before Christmas Day, the results of a pathology report following our daughter Meghan’s operation for a brain tumor a few days earlier.
The oncologist sat down that Wednesday evening with her, our son-in-law Terry and Pat and me and informed us that although the surgeon had been able to remove an entire tumor, that it was cancer.
It has some long name and I’ve forgotten exactly what that is, but this particular type of cancer forms in the brain. Apparently it’s the most common kind of cancer that forms in the brain.
My wife asked the oncologist, who was very compassionate but straight forward, about the fact that the MRI had shown that the surgeon was able to remove all of the tumor then how come it was still cancer.
Graciously, Meghan’s oncologist explained that this type of tumor sends out what I believe he said is spindles to other areas of the body.
He further explained to us that it’s incurable. The oncologist said what would do, once Meghan was a little stronger and able, was to begin radiation and chemotherapy treatment. They had moved Meghan from Mercy North to an inpatient rehab facility closer to their home in Norman where she would continue physical therapy for hopefully no more than a week before getting to go home.
Once strong enough, she would begin the treatments.
In the meantime, we, along with countless others continued to pray for her success in recovery and from the treatments.
The oncologist continued to research possible other remedies with some of the extensive resources he had. From the outset he had encouraged Meghan to be positive and remain strong in her desire to succeed in both the rehab and during the treatments.
He pointed out a patient’s attitude toward these types of difficulties can mean so much and that is the reason he encouraged her.
We’re thankful for all the many prayers, texts, phone calls and visits we and her husband Terry had during this most difficult time. We were praying for a miracle, we continued doing that, never giving up hope for her.
I mentioned to countless people that this was the most difficult crisis we’d ever faced but we must continue to have faith and trust in God.
Well, people that read this column with any regularity know what the outcome was. She passed away Aug. 18, a little over four months ago.
But you know what, we’re going to make this a wonderful Christmas. Pat and I have talked and we have our grandson Liam, who is now 7, and his dad, Terry, our son-in-law. We have plans for the four of us to be together a lot.
In fact, my wife picked up Liam beginning last Friday and we will have him several days. The four of us will spend Christmas Day together and while we miss our daughter every day, we are going to make the most of it and enjoy a wonderful Christmas.they in turn realize that as well.