Skip and Karen are so blessed to have each of you as friends and family, and each of you has touched them in a special way.
We wanted to pass along the latest information regarding Karen. Over the past couple of years, mom’s lung cancer spread into her brain. This was treated first with whole brain radiation and later with the gamma knife radiation. Both treatments were effective to reduce the size/amount of cancer in the brain. The cancer in mom’s lungs has been stable (but not in remission) for years. Just recently, mom's heath (since Thanksgiving) has been deteriorating rapidly. She has been losing her ability to communicate, to walk, to stand, etc. Her latest MRI in late December indicated the cancer in her brain was attaching itself to the Meninges (lining of the brain). This has caused nerves passing through this lining, on the way to other parts of the body, to be misfired or rerouted. Dr. Liao, who has treated mom for the past 7 years, said that it was the beginning of the end. He gave mom "weeks" to live (dad was thinking 4-5 weeks). When hospice came and the initial assessment made, the nurse modified that time frame to 5-10 days. That was last Monday. We just passed day 10. That being said, mom is slowly slipping from us. Dad has given permission to God to go ahead and take mom up to heaven J. We are thrilled for mom to be able to spend eternity with Jesus, beginning her life with no sickness or disease. We are all a little bit jealous of her home going J.
Dr. Liao has said that mom is his longest living patient who has had this type of lung cancer. Mom is a fighter and has fought the good fight. She is comfortably resting at home and will remain there until the Lord calls her home.
We will be in touch for when the family will have a memorial service celebrating Mom's life. We will let you all know, as you have been so faithful these past 7 years partnering in prayer and supporting both mom and dad in friendship.