Momma and Charley

A very special someone has a birthday today.

Her name starts with an M and ends in an OMMA.

In case you missed the news, my stepdad, Charley, had to have emergency back surgery last Tuesday.  Momma was faithful in posting updates throughout that day:

Update: They are keeping Charley at WMC tonight. Doc confirmed that this is stage 3 (myeloma has three stages). If radiation does not reduce the tumor pressing against his spinal cord then we can consider surgery, but the chances of finding good bone to attach the metal rods is slim, and may not help. Also, this is not the only tumor in his bones. In the meantime, Charley is showing me a “cool looking” tent he found on the internet and wondering if it’s wheelchair accessible.

…

just talked to the neurosurgeon, they are going to operate on the tumor as soon as the operating room is available … radiation would have done something by now, so they need to get in there and operate before it gets worse … best case scenario, tumor removed, mobility regained, recovery at home … we don’t discuss anything less ♥

…

According to the tracking board, he’s in surgery now.

…

Surgery is finished. He is now in recovery. Cancer in bone that was pressing against spinal cord successfully removed, along with more cancer located on both sides of those bones. However, he was not able to get to the cancer that was behind that area, so that will need to be radiated. All in all, neurosurgeon is hopeful that Charley will regain mobility. Thank you ALL so much for your prayers. ♥

…

4/25 Good morning! Charley was able to get out of bed and is sitting in a chair. He fed himself breakfast. He still can’t stand or walk, but he can move his toes and lift his legs while sitting or laying in bed. Slow and steady wins the race. Oh, and speaking of race, he was checking out wheelchairs that he could use to enter a marathon. :p

…

Got a text from Mandy, carpenter friend from her church stopped by our house and took measurements to build a wheelchair ramp for Charley. WHOOOHOOOO!!!! ♥

…

4/27 Praying I can get Charley home soon. Spent the entire night on the couch, crying my eyeballs out. Pups were very concerned. ♥ Glad the kids weren’t home to see me like that … Really rocking the headache this morning … Charley is still waiting for his pain med, two hours late …. Yeah, he needs to be home …..

…

Outlook is 100% better … no, he still can’t bear weight/stand, but he sat up in a wheelchair for a few hours, wiggled his legs/feet more and his pain management is presently under control. We had wonderful company today, first George, then Mandy (with banana bread) and Rach. After lunch, two beautiful ladies from Richmond arrived, followed by our youngest three, with my “twin” and her husband. Then Suzanna and Brian showed up with the best medicine ever, our grandson. ♥ She also gave me my bday gifts early. I think I will sleep better tonight. ♥

…

5/1 Eighteen years ago, today, I got a letter in the mail with this picture in it. I tried writing him back, but ended up calling the number in the letter instead … some of you know the story about the chocolate covered pretzels and our first meeting face to face … a month later he proposed … the rest is history … the best 18 years of my life.
♥ Happy “First Day We Met” Anniversary, Charley. ♥

So, you see, it’s been an intense week for the family.  Brian and I were happy to be able to sneak some special meds into Charley’s rehab center.  And by “special meds,” I mean “Bennett.”  His incredible grins are good for the soul and hopefully for the blood and bones as well.

So do you mind if I make a special request?  Would you please wish my momma a happy birthday and also lift up a prayer for Charley’s recovery?