My Mom: Writing her own Happy Ending

When I returned home to Brazil after being in California for several weeks helping out my Mom during her battle with leukemia and subsequent bone marrow transplant, my wife was agog at my telling of my last moments before I left the U.S.

"It was just like a movie," said my adoring spouse. "You Americans always manage to do that if you can."

And so it was for me. On the same day I left my parents, my Mom had a Doctor appointment at City of Hope. So, as her appointment was earlier, we combined the events as well as we could hope.

While waiting with my Mom and Dad during my Mom's appointment, I ran into my Mom's Doctor, who was not working their that day but found it too irresistible to avoid coming into to see his patients' folders.

We talked about my Mom and he gave me some interesting news that my Mom was not aware of even.

"Mom," I said, playing off that the short sprint had exhausted me. "I just saw Dr. Farol. He said on your bone marrow exam, they found no trace of leukemia and the new marrow is doing its job well."

Talk about some nice going-away news. My Mom has suffered her share through this ordeal, recently being hospitalized for three days for a stomach infection common for transplant patients. And it doesn't promise to be an easy way through it, either. Other threats loom to her and her confused and regrouping immune system.

But now she is healthy. And has more energy. And has no leukemia.


My Dad and I were forced to leave my Mom at the hospital so he could drop me off. After getting checked in, he had to leave to go to my Mom. Before leaving, he hugged, and said, with raw emotion in his voice, "Thank you. Thank you so much for all you've done."

My Dad let go and walked away. After he had gone a dozen steps, I called out, "Dad, I love you. " and he stopped, turned and said. "I love you."

Now, I'm pretty pent up as far as crying goes, but I outright sobbed. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. A wonderful moment with my Father after seeing the latest, and best sign that my Mother was going to beat Leukemia. It truly was a "movie moment," as my wife quickly pointed out.

In a way, leaving California this time is like a beginning and end. And another beginning. And all that. The last time I left California, I was still very concerned about the bone marrow transplant and chemo my Mom still had to go through.

This time, I leave feeling more confident that ever. She has a long way to go yet, but she's way ahead of the game. And free of leukemia. And having just found out she is now using 100 percent of the donor's marrow. While still feeling fatigue, her energy levels are rising. Her attitude is great. Her and my Dad are prepared for several months of twice-a-week doctor's appointments that require a 200-mile ride round-trip. And my sister will be there soon along with some grandchildren.

So, I suppose, in a way, a part of this is over. I likely won't see my Mom again until before Christmas. I'll still be involved over the phone with her and as an advocate of getting people to sign up on the Bone Marrow Registry, but a big part of this has ended.

My wife and I were all full of the big plans about 2008. But life got in the way. More succinctly, my Mom's life got in the way. And I'm so happy and so honored to have been able to help.

And I definitely learned a little about the life of a caregiver. My Mom was mobile and coherent about 99 percent of the time, but it still takes a lot out of a person to see a loved one struggle while trying to keep emotions in check. It's not an easy job, as my Mom knows well from the three-plus years that she was a caregiver to her father-in-law that left her with a bad back. When I look at my Dad it's with renewed respect for all he is able to do for my Mom, day after day.

So with love to my Mom and Dad and my whole Family, I take on a new role in this adventure. And for those who've read my thoughts during this situation, I thank you for being a part of what helped my Mom get better.

She's not out of the woods yet but she's getting there. She's beaten ovarian cancer and now leukemia. She is a survivor. She's why this is all going down as a series of Happy Endings. Because of my Mom. She's the one writing the Happy Ending to this movie.

Bill