Happy mail for terminally ill patient

A childhood friend of mine made this post on social media today about her Mom, and it just pained me to read it:

“Hey friends, I know I've been pretty quiet lately but I have very sad news to share with you all.

You may know Pat (my Mom) has been very sick and battling endometrial cancer for the last 2 years. This has taken some terrible twists over the last few days and weeks...

She has been in severe pain recently, leading us to worry that she somehow broke her arm. X-Rays came back with strange results so MRI scans were done and found that the cancer is back and has spread into many of her bones throughout widely different locations in her body. The speed and areas into which the cancer has spread is very fast. She went from cancer-free to widespread bone cancer in just three months.

She required surgery on her right arm Monday April 30th to deal with cancer there (hoping to relieve some of her agonizing pain) at that same time she also had biopsy done. Despite the work of the surgeons her pain has not been significantly relieved. The results from the biopsy have come back and the doctors worst fears have been realized and the endometrial cancer has spread into her bone. Having this type of cancer spread into the bones is very rare. This matters because traditional treatment options are limited and there are no experimental treatments being conducted.

Due to the extent of the cancer damage that has already occurred and her already weakened condition the oncology team believe that she is unable to have chemotherapy or radiation treatment for the cancer at this time without causing her more harm than good.

We've been informed that she likely has only a short time left to live, so we've been working to make arrangements for her further care including palliative and hospice care. She has just transferred from the hospital to a facility in Mercerville so that we can be closer to her each day as she receives this care.

This all has been so difficult and happening so quickly we have had difficulty reaching out and keeping you all up to date with this heartbreaking news. Please feel free to share this message with anyone who knows my Mom or our family.

If possible please take a moment to send a card or share a favorite photo or story of how my Mom has affected your life. Despite her pain she really enjoys seeing pictures, hearing stories and having visitors.”

For this swap, please send Pat a handmade or store-bought card with a kind, thoughtful message to lift her spirits. If you or someone you know has dealt with endometrial cancer and if you have a positive story to share, she would appreciate it.

For your partner, you will send them a handmade or store-bought greeting card with the following:

-If you had only a few days left to live, what is something you would like to do, see, or experience before you die?

-In your opinion, what is the best medicine? (i.e. laughter, music, nature, etc)

-Has death and dying changed you? If so, how?

I will provide each of you with Pat’s address via private message as soon as partners are assigned.

If you would like to send her some happy mail without joining the swap, let me know!

Thank you so very much to everyone who participates.