The Battle
I have decided to chronicle our 7 month battle with leukemia in a poem:
That moment's always with me, surreal and so strange.
It only took ten minutes, for all our lives to change.
"Your blood work has come back now, it's time you understand
Leukemia is your fate now, and this will be our plan
Three hours from your children, is where I've deemed you'll go.
To spend a month in treatment," his words fell like a blow.
"We have to act now quickly, there's no time for delay.
An ambulance is coming, you'll soon be on your way."
The doctor said, "I'm sorry," he turned and left the room,
The tears then fell like raindrops, oh what a sense of doom!
And then to tell the children, "Your mommy is so sick."
Their world turned upside down now, it happened all so quick.
And so before we knew it, you soon were on your way,
There in the midnight hour, I drove behind and prayed.
We reached our destination, a foreign place indeed.
We felt so all alone then, far from our family.
You felt so scared and anxious, they gave you meds to cope.
The night passed on so quickly, the morning brought new hope.
Emerging from your doorway, as if straight from a dream,
A dozen doctors stood there. They said, "We are your team."
Oh, what a place to come to, with world-class doctors here.
We hoped with all we had now, they could replace our fear.
That day felt like forever, you were so tired and weak.
And finally that evening, the rest came you did seek.
The doctors made you sleep then, and breathe with a machine.
I felt so lost and lonely, pure silence from my queen.
For several days I waited, to hear your voice again,
I wanted you to wake up, oh how I missed my friend!
It seemed to me forever, but finally, it came.
Your eyes again did open, I heard you speak my name.
A week had passed so quickly, and yet so slowly too,
You carried on with chemo, we hoped you'd soon be through.
And then to our amazement, good news we did receive.
Ten days before we planned it, they said that you could leave.
We packed up our belongings, we gathered up our stuff,
We headed straight for home then, it wasn't fast enough.
It felt so good to be home, and yet it felt so strange.
Our lives turned upside down now, now everything had changed.
We went back in October, and in November too,
Each time a week of treatment, we hoped to soon be through.
You always felt so sick then, you always were so weak
And so then in December, to walk became a feat.
A few days before Christmas, once more we made the trip,
Another round of chemo, we thought it would be quick.
We'll come right home for Christmas, in time for family,
But then it was decided, you needed therapy.
So Christmas morning came then, still far away from home.
The kids came for a visit, and then we were alone.
After what seemed forever, we got word the next day,
That you were being transferred, we soon were on our way.
Though you could not come home yet, at least you weren't too far.
We made so many trips then, heaped miles on our car!
A time of separation, we slept apart each night.
And though I saw you often, things never felt quite right.
At last, they let you come home, bound to a wheelchair.
Your health seemed to improve then, an answer to our prayers.
We waited for a transplant, a cure once and for all.
After what seemed forever, we got the green light call.
Again we drove to Indy, our hearts with hope did burn.
But then the fateful words came, "Your cancer has returned."
We felt so devastated, we'd done our very best.
The doctors recommended, a new drug trial test.
To get the trial started, they took your marrow first,
So anxious and afraid then, your health turned for the worst.
I tried to keep my chin up, they'll save you once again
But then the doctor told me, you might be at the end.
The family then gathered, to be there at your side.
We made important choices, we talked and prayed and cried.
Together we accepted, the will of Father dear,
'Twas time for your departure, to leave this mortal sphere.
While we were devastated, and filled with tears and grief
You left your ravaged body, you found rest and relief.
You're very much alive now, I'm glad you are at peace.
Your cheery disposition, I know it has not ceased.
Sweet mother, daughter, and wife too, to all you meet, a friend.
Keep smiling, loving, serving, and soon we'll meet again.
I have decided to chronicle our 7 month battle with leukemia in a poem:
That moment's always with me, surreal and so strange.
It only took ten minutes, for all our lives to change.
"Your blood work has come back now, it's time you understand
Leukemia is your fate now, and this will be our plan
Three hours from your children, is where I've deemed you'll go.
To spend a month in treatment," his words fell like a blow.
"We have to act now quickly, there's no time for delay.
An ambulance is coming, you'll soon be on your way."
The doctor said, "I'm sorry," he turned and left the room,
The tears then fell like raindrops, oh what a sense of doom!
And then to tell the children, "Your mommy is so sick."
Their world turned upside down now, it happened all so quick.
And so before we knew it, you soon were on your way,
There in the midnight hour, I drove behind and prayed.
We reached our destination, a foreign place indeed.
We felt so all alone then, far from our family.
You felt so scared and anxious, they gave you meds to cope.
The night passed on so quickly, the morning brought new hope.
Emerging from your doorway, as if straight from a dream,
A dozen doctors stood there. They said, "We are your team."
Oh, what a place to come to, with world-class doctors here.
We hoped with all we had now, they could replace our fear.
That day felt like forever, you were so tired and weak.
And finally that evening, the rest came you did seek.
The doctors made you sleep then, and breathe with a machine.
I felt so lost and lonely, pure silence from my queen.
For several days I waited, to hear your voice again,
I wanted you to wake up, oh how I missed my friend!
It seemed to me forever, but finally, it came.
Your eyes again did open, I heard you speak my name.
A week had passed so quickly, and yet so slowly too,
You carried on with chemo, we hoped you'd soon be through.
And then to our amazement, good news we did receive.
Ten days before we planned it, they said that you could leave.
We packed up our belongings, we gathered up our stuff,
We headed straight for home then, it wasn't fast enough.
It felt so good to be home, and yet it felt so strange.
Our lives turned upside down now, now everything had changed.
We went back in October, and in November too,
Each time a week of treatment, we hoped to soon be through.
You always felt so sick then, you always were so weak
And so then in December, to walk became a feat.
A few days before Christmas, once more we made the trip,
Another round of chemo, we thought it would be quick.
We'll come right home for Christmas, in time for family,
But then it was decided, you needed therapy.
So Christmas morning came then, still far away from home.
The kids came for a visit, and then we were alone.
After what seemed forever, we got word the next day,
That you were being transferred, we soon were on our way.
Though you could not come home yet, at least you weren't too far.
We made so many trips then, heaped miles on our car!
A time of separation, we slept apart each night.
And though I saw you often, things never felt quite right.
At last, they let you come home, bound to a wheelchair.
Your health seemed to improve then, an answer to our prayers.
We waited for a transplant, a cure once and for all.
After what seemed forever, we got the green light call.
Again we drove to Indy, our hearts with hope did burn.
But then the fateful words came, "Your cancer has returned."
We felt so devastated, we'd done our very best.
The doctors recommended, a new drug trial test.
To get the trial started, they took your marrow first,
So anxious and afraid then, your health turned for the worst.
I tried to keep my chin up, they'll save you once again
But then the doctor told me, you might be at the end.
The family then gathered, to be there at your side.
We made important choices, we talked and prayed and cried.
Together we accepted, the will of Father dear,
'Twas time for your departure, to leave this mortal sphere.
While we were devastated, and filled with tears and grief
You left your ravaged body, you found rest and relief.
You're very much alive now, I'm glad you are at peace.
Your cheery disposition, I know it has not ceased.
Sweet mother, daughter, and wife too, to all you meet, a friend.
Keep smiling, loving, serving, and soon we'll meet again.
