As promised...here is mine, but first a tale.
A few years ago my mother was dianogist(sp) with breast cancer. She went through treat and was able to defeat it. But alas...it was discovered that it had gone metastatic...and had invaded her brain. She went into treatment again...During this phase I was deployed to Italy (a perk of being in the military...ugh) and was unable to visit her (the last time I was able to was in Feburary 2000). Finally I came home from my deployment in Aug 00 and started making plans to visit. By this time she was starting to fade...for there was nothing else the doctors could do for her, the cancer was resisting all treatment and it was in a too dangerous place in her brain to remove surgically. Finally I had leave(vacation basically) planned for just after Thanksgiving that year...but...*chokes back a sob* she died...the morning of 22 Nov 00 the day before Thanksgiving. Fortunatly I was able to make special arrangements through the military (they have a special set up for family emerginices) and I flew down the day after to be with my family and to be at the funeral.
Having said this...what am I thankful for?
I am thankful for the doctors who did everything they did for her. I am thankful for the hosiptal's working with my lower-middle class family in terms of payment for all those treatments. I am thankful for the Hospus that made the last two weeks of her life as comfortable as possible. I am thankful she didn't suffer and die in pain. I am thankful that she is now in a better place (heaven or whatever your religion believes souls go) and does not have to live through what we are today (after effects of Sep 11 for instance). I am thankful for the my friends (both my families and my own) that helped me get through this.
I am thankful for finding this forum and all the friends I have gained from it, for I believe it helped me with my healing.
Now for a message to you all. Be thankful for your parents and enjoy them while you can. If one is ill don't hesitate to visit him/her for you never know when they will be taken away from you...for once they are gone...they are gone...
Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone...I know I will try to...
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