May 25, 2021

 Sister #1 continues to be on chemo treatments.  Her numbers have improved to the point the oncologist believes she can go to once every three weeks for her treatments instead of every other week.    She is tolerating the treatments though she is frequently feeling pretty tired.  Recently in a Marco Polo app conversation she noted she had a crying fit that morning.  I am certain she needed the release of all the emotions her diagnosis has given her.

Over the last 6 years Sis #1 has lost our mother at the end of January, 2015.  Her eldest son was in the final months of his life fighting cirrhosis of the liver.  Sis #1 one cared for him until he passed at the end of November that same year.  Days and weeks were spent at the hospital.  Somehow she still managed to work, maintain a home and remain mostly sane even though she was in her late 70s.

In 2017 her next oldest son told her it was time to move in with him.  Sister's knee joints were reaching a point where walking was hard and a bit unsteady.  In early 2019 she had both knees replaced.  She developed an infection in the last replacement and had to spend 4 weeks in a rehab facility.  That slowed her recovery.  

August, 2020

By the end of 2019 it was apparent Sis #1 needed a hip replacement.  That was done in February of 2020.  Of course by mid March our lives were moving toward shutdown due to Covid.  In late July, early August we sisters isolated ourselves for two weeks.  Then we did the Covid land bound cruise at Sis 4's home.

In less than a week Sis #1 had a mild heart attack.  The attack led to tests.  Sis #1 required a stent placement.  Less than a month later in late October she was extremely weak.  Hospitalized, again, rectal cancer was discovered.  A seven hour surgery resulted in portion of the colon being removed; a total hysterectomy;  additional material in surrounding areas removed;  lymph nodes and other tissue for testing.  By mid December the doctors declared her to be cancer free.   we all took a deep breath of relief.  With Covid still raging in Texas, we sisters declared no Rogers gathering.  This was the first time since before I was born there had been no gathering.

March 3, 2021

In January Sis #1 was doing fair but not really rebounding like she wanted.  With all the major surgeries in under two years and being 84 we were thinking it was just going to take longer.  By the end of February it was time for another sister gathering. Three of the four had at least one shot so we felt it was safe. Two would getting their shots during the time we decided to gather on March 3.  Not a covid cruise but cruising to get the covid shots!

Following the March gathering Sis #1 continued to have more problems.  She had several appointments with the different doctors as 4 were involved in the cancer surgery.  On March 19 Sis #1 recorded a Marco Polo message that left us sisters in shock.  The cancer had returned and was inoperable.  Without chemo she would not live until summer.  There were a couple of complications that needed to be resolved before the chemo could begin.

A week after she had her first chemo treatment on April 5 we sisters gathered in Oklahoma.  Time is precious.  No chance can be missed.   Talking and games filled the hours.  We played Mexican train dominoes.  Speak Out game proved to be challenging and pretty funny.  Sis #1 would have to rest more frequently than usual.  We other three were happy to accommodate her needs.  Even though we did make her put the big plastic thing in her mouth.

Sis #1 has every right to cry.  Gets her joints ready to boogie or at least to make a few short trips.  Then she is hit with an incurable disease.  Several of us have shed tears over this turn of events.  But no matter what, how long or in what condition we will do our best to get together.  Maybe not all four but as many as can.

April 17, Cache, Oklahoma

 

Madill, OK, for commissioning of #3 Nephew, 3 of four sisters

So you folks take time to love and care for one another.  Tomorrow is not promised no matter what.

Live, Laugh, Love

Janice