In My Mind’s Zen Garden

My wife’s beloved Auntie has cancer. Last Friday she complained about excessive bleeding while she was going to the bathroom, and we took her right away to the Emergency Ward. Doctors said she lost a lot of blood (she was pale looking) and they found a softball-sized mass in her uterus.

On Monday, she had surgery to remove the mass… and she had a hysterectomy. The mass was determined to be cancerous…

My wife had been staying with her every single day since she was admitted. Her oldest sister came from Santa Barbara to help out, on two separate trips. Her younger sister works at the same hospital and has tried to visit as much as possible.

I found myself going to the hospital every day, bringing food, clothes, etc for my wife. Her Auntie is deaf and doesn’t understand English, so a close relative has to be with her who can be a translator for the nurses and doctors.

It’s been one rollercoaster of an emotional ride. Everyone’s exhausted. We’re discovering that the medical bills will be enormous. Auntie is 73, and we are worried how she’s going to handle the impending chemotherapy or radiation treatments she’ll have to endure.

I just got back from the hospital a few minutes ago. And I brought a DVD and my laptop so that my wife can watch a movie. She’s “climbing the walls” having to be at the hospital, so I try to visit often to keep my wife and Auntie company.

Thanksgiving was a disaster, basically. But, we forced ourselves to have one. My sis-in-law from Santa Barbara brought all the food, the turkey and ham.

It’s just ironic in trying to be thankful this Thanksgiving holiday, when something so tragic happens to the family, to a close family member who’s been a part of our lives here for decades.

But in my mind, I remain ever hopeful. I’m finding it very hard right now. But, what else can I do? But remain ever hopeful…