Snapped Back-Part 1

About six years ago my neighbor found out she had esophageal cancer. What I did not realize is that the survival rate for that type of cancer is poor because it's usually not discovered until it's later stages. She went through treatment and was in remission. I was very thankful and so was her family.

On her five year check-up, they discovered a tumor in her brain. She had surgery to remove it and they did tests on it to see what type of cancer it was. They wanted to see if it was a new kind or if it was from the esophageal cancer. They said that they have seen the phenomenon of  cancer traveling the central nervous system in breast cancer survivors, but esophageal cancer patients tend to not be survivors in the first place. When the results came back, they showed it was esophageal cancer and everyone was optimistic. She beat it once, she can do it again, was the consensus.

For the last few weeks I saw more and more cars coming to her house. I would see people taking her places (I later found out Chemo) and she would smile, say hello and wave. Since, one of us was coming or going, we never got the chance to speak. Then, I noticed that I didn't see her, just her family/friends visiting.

Finally, one day when I came home, her daughter ran out to greet me. We had often talked via email through the first few months of the cancer returning. I had been looking for her email address for awhile and couldn't find it. She informed me that her mom was not doing well and would be lucky if she made it until the end of the month. Things were going well for awhile, but then the cancer spread and they could no longer help her. :(

My heart hurt.

She asked if I would be able to help if they needed lifting her and such. Of course, I was willing. When I hadn't heard from anyone, I emailed her daughter and asked if I could visit.

The last time I had seen Sue, she looked 'normal'.

When I entered her bedroom, my heart broke. She no longer had hair, her face was puffy, her body was frail and she looked like she had aged 20 years. Her eyes though, were the same. I could see 'her' in her eyes. My heart broke. It was hard to see her struggle for words and try to remember what she wanted to say. However, one of the first things she asked was how my husband (Luke) was. Since the accidents she has ALWAYS asked that. She is so caring, sweet and unselfish.

When I got home, I immediately went to my room and cried. I couldn't even engage in conversation the rest of the night.