[tri-wings] Prayers for Mom

Hi,
I've been waiting for the day when I knew my mom was actually  
scheduled for surgery to ask for your thoughts or prayers.  I've  
known for 7 years that she has an abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA for  
short).  Hers has grown to the size where surgery is needed because  
it is apt to break or explode or whatever causing instant death.  But  
the surgery is also dangerous.  They told us that it is 5 times more  
dangerous than open heart surgery.  (Hers is too big to put in the  
stent which is much less dangerous.)  My brother is really scared  
that she won't make it through surgery.  (His mother-in-law died on  
the operating table just a year or so ago.)  I have told him that Mom  
has made it through failing kidneys, bone infection in her foot due  
to diabetes with a PIC line for 6 weeks, cementing of her vertebrae,  
gall bladder surgery, and two cataract surgeries since last August.   
She will make it through this just fine.  But then, I hear his  
reasoning, and I wonder.  I know the dangers.  I just choose to look  
at all of her successes and say this will be the same way.  We had  
told Mom that surgery was up to her.  She definitely wants it.  I  
knew she would.  Surgery is scheduled for June 1 at 7 a.m.   I  
haven't heard from my sister since Mom made the decision.  Mom just  
said that she was very quiet.   I live about 25 miles from Mom, so  
I'm the one who does most of the caregiving.  My brother and sister  
both live in Des Moines, Iowa.  It gets to be a long trip for them  
(300 miles) and with gas prices seemingly going up every day, they  
don't come as often as they used to.  My mom will be 80 on July 9.   
She wanted to wait until after her birthday, but since the surgeon  
scheduled the surgery, she is going ahead.  My brother has said that  
he doesn't want to be there when Mom dies.  He doesn't think he can  
handle it.  He wasn't here when my dad died either.  Somehow he  
thinks that is better.  I just told him that I don't want to be alone  
during this surgery.  Now, I'm in tears.
Thanks for your support.  Sorry for how long this is.

Sheila Helleson
MN Grandma to IA and SD grandkids:  Hope (T-18   11-1-1) & Alison;  
Cadence & Bridge
Mom to Cheryl (& Denny);  Wade (& Charity)
Wife to Richard

"Those who wish to sing always find a song."  Swedish Proverb






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