The weekend before Thanksgiving, my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer after going to the emergency room with severe back pain that she had been experiencing for several months. Just weeks prior to that she had been diagnosed with a compression fracture in her spine which is what the pain had initially been attributed to. Nothing could have prepared us for her grim diagnosis. We were and are in shock, needless to say. I traveled home and spent Thanksgiving week with her and was scheduled to come back this past week.
It is with a heavy heart that I share with you my mother passed away this week, a mere 24 days after her emergency room visit and official diagnosis. She went suddenly and for that I am both grateful and sad. I am glad that she didn't have to suffer any longer but profoundly sad that she left before I got back to see her again this past week and that she was so looking forward to.
I just wanted you all to know where I've been and why. Thank you so much for all the kind comments, emails and messages that many of you have sent. It means more to me than you will ever know.
With love...Ayla
Rest in peace Mom...I love you. |