Yesterday, we buried my husband's mother after her 6 month battle with bladder cancer. She died on her 85th birthday. She had worked part time in the Visitors Center in Chestertown, MD 3 days a week prior to having to undergo chemotherapy. She did not tolerate the chemo well and was hospitalized twice from complications, and it was so hard to see someone so vibrant do down hill so quickly.
She lived in a small close knit community that is on a river feeding into the Chesapeake Bay. There was no cell phone service, no cable, tv accessed by an antenna on the roof, no stores nearby. Her home's location is such a simple place of beauty, away from all the complexities of urban life.
My husband and his brother looked to me to be her back up care when it was needed, which was immediate and sporadic at the same time. I have spent most of the past 5 years in bed since I blew out my back and then got sick two months later and almost died. The illness has left me with "brain" issues, that have affected my memory, processing, speech, recall etc. Being there for my MIL has been a stretch at best, leaving me exhausted, in excruciating pain and "brain dead", incapable at times of putting one foot in front of the other. As an RN, I felt that it was my duty to step up and support my husband with his mother, but it has taken a huge toll.
During the last 6 months, I have experienced such an outpouring of love and support from my friends as well as WS members here. I can't tell you how much the caring and compassion, from those of you who knew and understood what was happening and the personal, emotional and physical toll I experienced, has meant to me. I have received some of the most beautiful and kind messages from some of you here that have brought me to tears. I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
WS is a special place and a community of people with varying life experiences who have come together for many common goals. The last thing I expected was to make "virtual friends", who mean a great deal to me. The emotional support I have received from those expecting nothing in return has been phenomenal. I will never forget the kindnesses from you all. Ever. God Bless.[/QUOTE
Zuri, my condolences about your mother in law. I am so sorry. And I am grateful you made it through after suffering so much yourself. I am always amazed at the strength some have at a time when they think they are at their lowest. God bless you. I hope your husband knows how blessed he is to have you. Now is the time for him to show you real love and affection and care for you so you regain your strength. Thanks for what your did for your mother in law and may you be very blessed for it.
Thanks too for the kind words about the WS members. You are right. They are a great group coming together in the name of justice and yet feeling compassion and friendship for each other.
