A mother's love

A few days ago I had a conversation with my cousin that touched my heart and I decided I needed to blog about it.

My cousin, Cheryl, has been a single mom for a very long time. She has two wonderful kids who are grown now. A few years back Cheryl took her son, Michael, to the doctor because he wasn't feeling well. After a tremendous number of medical tests Micheal was diagnosed with colon cancer....he was 23 years old. So off to the cancer specialists they went to find out what their options were. As Cheryl talked with a surgeon about Michael's options, the surgeon suggested they do nothing for Michael....yes, you read it correct, NOTHING. WHY you might ask???? Michael was born with Fragile X syndrome. Babies with Fragile X tend to have many disabilities and health problems. This doctor firmly believed that with Micheal's Fragile X he would not be able to tolerate any chemo therapy, etc. By tolerate, he meant that Michael wouldn't understand what was going on and therefore would just be aggitated through the process. Cheryl refused to let Michael die without a fight. She requested another opinion and another doctor. Michael eventually had his surgery and many months of chemo. Each time Michael was scheduled for chemo Cheryl would take him to UAMS for admittance the night before. They would help him through the process. He might spend a week there or just a few days. He did get sick many times and had to return to the hospital for treatment. Eventually the chemo treatment ended and the wait began to determine if the treatment worked for Michael.

Cheryl and I have cancer in common. My daughter had cancer too so we tend to revert our conversations back to the cancer topic. We tend to compare notes on how things went for both Sarah and Michael (who are the same age). Sarah just had one of her 3 month check ups and she is fine right now. She will have 3 to 4 month check ups for probably another year and then we hope they will go to the 6 month check ups.

Cheryl shared with me that Michael has been cancer free 4 years now. He is on his 6 month check ups and at five years will move to his 1 year check up. As she shared with me Michael's progress (no cancer and lots of weight gain towards being a healthy person again) I could see the happiness in her eyes that he was surviving this ordeal. I could also see the determination of a mom who loves her son with everything she has and wasn't willing to let a doctor pronounce his death sentence just because he had a disability. I suggested she march Micheal up to the doctor's door on his 5 year checkup so this doctor could see a healthy young man and a very blessed mom who didn't give up on her son.

For now the doctor is out.......and extremely greatful she has such a wonderful extended family!