Let's Talk Miracles

Let’s Talk Miracles… Several months ago, I wrote in a few of my columns about my mother’s battle with brain cancer. It was sobering news as many families know who have faced similar circumstances. It was some what of a shock to a family who didn’t seem to have any cancer history to speak of. My grandmother on mom’s side died at the ripe old age of 93. She had a few normal health issues. She had mild diabetes which she totally controlled with her diet. She had a small bladder cancer very late in her life, but nothing seemed life threatening. There was very little cancer on my dad’s side, at least that we knew of, that wasn’t self induced from 60 plus years of smoking. So, I have always thought that I had a fair shot at not having to deal with the dreaded “C” word. Since the first of last year, we noticed my mom wasn’t “connecting the dots.” Mom has always been a tough patient because she was a registered nurse for over 25 years. There wasn’t much need in talking to her about health issues because with her medical background she was the expert…end of story. She knew best and wasn’t really interested in outside opinions, especially from us and sometimes from the doctor. We started noticing drastic changes and it was time for an intervention, so I made a trip down to Burleson, Texas, and met my sister. We showed up together, sat her down, and assumed the role of the parent, and said, “Mom you are going to the doctor if I have to drag you.” It wasn’t pretty but she agreed and the appointment was set. In a couple of short weeks, we heard the dreaded news that families hear around the world. It was brain cancer. The tumor was in-operable, deep inside her brain. The only hope was chemo and possibly radiation. Treatments were scheduled and the journey began. The doctor was very frank and told us very honestly that we may have one to three months. As many of you know, it’s a lot like being hit by a truck. It throws families into tail spin. It also engages a lot of prayer chains. I’m here to tell ya’ - it worked! The first scan, after the first heavy dose of chemo, indicated that chemo was a direct hit. It melted the tumor, and no one could explain it. The doctor was puzzled as well as everyone else, but in my mind, there is only one answer. Prayer works. Mom just recently finished up her last chemo treatment and has now started on radiation, and to use the doctors words, “This final series of treatment should slam the door on this cancer.” Now, mom isn’t exactly the same as she was, but I think it’s safe to say that she is at 90% and she is alive. Instead of checking out at 79, she actually has a shot at being around a good while longer and enjoying her grandkids, even some great grand kids. I guess you can now call her a cancer survivor. I haven’t said a lot about it. It’s been somewhat a private battle with a very unknown outcome. There is always risk of a cancer coming back, but for now, we have a reprieve. I want to say thank you to all of those prayer warriors out there who helped us win this battle because it could have easily been a different outcome, but it wasn’t. Mom will even get to see the redbud trees bloom and few more times and it’s a miracle. If you would like to contact me at the Capitol, please do not hesitate to call 1-800-522-8502 or email me at donarmes@okhouse.gov And here’s something to think about as you go down the road: “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.” – Abraham Lincoln