I've wanted to post this thread for several days but couldn't find it within myself to do it.

My mother lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday morning this week.

She was diagnosed with lymphoma last May. She underwent chemotherapy then. The doctors discovered a tumor in her brain. Due to the blood/brain barrier, the chemotherapy was not able to affect that tumor, and it had to be treated with radiation. That left her weak and affected her mind. About 7 weeks ago she had an MRI which showed no signs of cancer. A little over a month ago, she became ill and was experiencing extreme pain in her shoulders and neck. The hospitals couldn't seem to get it under control and she was declining rapidly. We decided to put her into a skilled nursing facility in hopes that she could recover enough to return home. Her mental state continued to decline and it became obvious to me that she wouldn't be coming back home. Last Thursday, she had another MRI. We got the results on Friday, and it showed that the cancer had come back and was widespread throughout her brain. The doctor told us that she had probably 2 - 3 months. On Sunday, she had a wonderful, beautiful day with her brother and sister here from out of state. She beamed all day long with them close by. Monday, she was very tired and very weak, which I attributed to the big day on Sunday. I got the call about 8:00am Tuesday morning that she had passed.

I know that there are many different viewpoints on God in our community here. For me, John 3:16 says it all. My mother is now where many of us long to be, but are never ready to let our loved ones go to. The pain that she is gone is overwhelming. And the knowledge and comfort that God's infinite grace allows her to be with Him now is just as overwhelming.

She was less than a month from her 69th birthday, and just over 2 months away from her 50th wedding anniversary.

Rest in Peace, Mom! I love you!

Steve