Update #20 - November 1

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for all your wonderful emails, calls, and thoughts of love and support. My mom (and my dad and I) are so lucky to have such wonderful friends and family. My mom wants you all to know how much she loves you all and how each of you holds a special place in her heart and memories.

I'm happy to say that my mom was discharged from the hospital today and is resting at home. It was a long day for her with the car ride from London to Kincardine, but she is happy to be home and go to sleep in her own bed. It has been an extremely hard week for her, and for all of us, filled with many ups and downs. A few highlights though, of her stay in the hospital, was watching her grandson dressed up in his Duck costume, parade around the hospital and play with another little girl who was visiting in the same room. Cooper is such a beam of sunshine in her life and she lights up every time she sees him and he lights up right back, so happy to see his grandma -- who he calls 'momma'. She cuddled up with her husband one night and watched TV and I cuddled up to her in the hospital bed one night and we watched a movie together. Just being so close to her and holding her hand all cuddled up like old times was such a great feeling of love and peace -- I could have stayed there with her forever.

Her doctor has decided against doing radiation for pain control, as the new medication they are giving her is working, and that is the main thing he was trying to accomplish. Her medication is very strong, leaving her tired and requiring more sleep, but it is nice to see her feeling more comfortable. He is still looking into another type of chemo to give her some more time, but the test takes two weeks, and if she is a candidate for it, it all depends on how strong she is. Right now, she's quite weak, eating and drinking much of anything is a struggle, and she needs assistance to get around -- so that's why we are all so happy that she is comfortable in her own bed at home. We're hoping tomorrow she will spend some time on the couch and be able to see the lake. It always makes her feel so at peace to look out and see the waves rolling in. And if we open the window, it's beautiful to hear as well. To be at home around her family, and be able to see the lake out her window is the right place for her to live all the time she has left -- no matter how long or short that may be.

I know she will try to squeeze every ounce of happiness and love that she can out of this life -- because that's just who she is. And why we all love her so much.

So please say a prayer that she has many wonderful happy moments that are full of love in her future.

Lisa