Times Three No. 3

Have you ever been as lucky as I am to have a sister like Jacquie in your life? If you have, then you know just how lucky I am.

Wednesday

Colette and I go to the hospital to see Sheldon at 8:30 a.m. When we get there, Sheldon is talking with Shelly and Joey. Joey stayed overnight with Sheldon.

All day long we hear the stories that he will be operated on today. He won’t be operated on. They are doing another scope. They aren’t going to do the scope.

He is getting more blood transfusions and has had four units so far this morning. We think he may be released again. Sheldon and I have discussed that when he is released he will stay with me at our house.

Sheldon and I are talking; whispering to each other really.

I have told Sheldon he is a warrior now. “You are a Warrior now Sheldon. This is war and you are in the battle of your life. You can do it. Whatever you need to do, you can do it.” He is 25 and knows that he is up for the job.

“Are you okay?” ‘Yes. It is what it is and I will be okay.’ “Yes, dear Sheldon, you will be.”

Ben and Chrisy come in and they will stay with Sheldon and so Colette and I leave. We will come back in a few hours as Ben is going to stay the night with his Mom in the hospital. Jennifer will come and sleep the night with Sheldon.

I go get tea and then go to the 5th floor to visit my Mom. I put on a gown, gloves, mask, and glasses. I love my Mom so much and we have a nice visit. It is a hard day and she is worried. Mom tells me that I am a wonderful person. I tell her that I love her.

It is 1:50 p.m. I go see Sheldon; Ben tells me that the doctor and oncologist have both been up. They are going to give him a scope and the oncologist believes from everything he has seen that it is gastric lymphoma. So there is huge hope for it to be cured with chemotherapy.

It is 2:30 p.m. and I need to go home, I need to sit for five minutes, I need to have a sleep.

I go to bed at 4:10 p.m. and Ben calls me at 4:30 p.m. to tell me that they are going to give Sheldon the operation either tonight or tomorrow. The scope showed that the tumor is still bleeding and it won’t stop.

At 5:30 I get out of bed and go talk to Nathan. He is sick and has bronchitis. Wahid and I go to St. Boniface in the emergency department where Sheldon is still waiting. Gord is sitting with Sheldon and tells us they showed him the pictures of the scope. The tumor is bleeding all over the place.

Suzie, Camille, and Jeannine come in. Jennifer arrives to stay the night. The nurse tells us he is finally being moved to the 4th floor which is where the surgical department is.

Suzie starts crying and telling me that Jacquie’s operation has changed. They are doing a bigger surgery on a bigger part of the brain.

I tell Wahid, let’s go and see Jacquie immediately.

Jacquie is exhausted. Jacquie is in pain. Jacquie and Ben and Wahid and I sit and visit. Jacquie kind of falls asleep and then wakes up.

Jacquie and Ben tell us that the surgeons have a new plan. Jacquie will have a bigger part of her brain cut into. They are going to take a frozen square out. They will get the pathology to look at this square and it should only take fifteen minutes to determine the where, when, whys of this cancer. If in fact it is cancer which they are absolutely certain about. Jacquie’s head will be left open while they determine all of this. Then they will continue the surgery by marking the parts of Jacquie’s brain where feelings are (We all forgot to tell them that Jacquie's brain is nothing but feelings. Feelings for everyone but herself). They will scoop out the cancerous part, or as much as it is safe to do; after Jacquie will be given radiation and chemo.

The operation should take about four to six hours.

Ben is Jacquie’s oldest child. Jennifer is Jacquie’s only daughter. Sheldon is Jacquie’s youngest son.

All of Jacquie’s children are amazing and she is so proud of all of them. They are so amazing. Ben is sleeping over in the hospital with his Mom. Jennifer is sleeping over in another hospital a few miles away with her younger brother.

I tell Jacquie how much I love her. She tells me not to worry about her as she is in shut-down mode, I tell her unfortunately I’m not in it, and she tells me well hurry up and place yourself there.

Jacquie’s operation is at 9:30 a.m. today. I tell her that I will see her in the morning. I tell her I am afraid and she tells me that she will be okay. I kiss her and hug her. Wahid kisses her and hugs her for a long time. Ben and I are both in tears.

Wahid and I leave and Ben finds us half way down the hall.

‘Auntie Renee my Mom said to tell you TOGETHER STRONG.’

I’m bawling and tell him that I have to go back and see her and tell her TOGETHER STRONG too.

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever

While I am telling her TOGETHER STRONG and practically lying on top of her; she tells me to tell all of my angels to pray for her. To pray for her and her son that will be operated on; on the same day.

Please everyone pray and send the most wonderful and loving energy to my darling sister and her amazing son.

God please.