Debi,
How wonderful that the Gamma Knife worked. I am keeping your family in my thoughts.
We had 9 additional months with my Grandfather that were only supposed to be about 3. If he hadn't fallen and hit his chest (causing pneumonia) I have no doubt he would have made it a year (which was a FAR outside chance), maybe more.
Your sister seems like a fighter, it must run in the family. Positive thoughts all around.
Hi Debi. You have been on my mind this week out of the blue. So today I finally looked you up on the members list to find if you have any posts that could tell me what you've been up to. Then I found this thread for the first time. Isn't that just God?
I wanted to say I am sorry that you and your sister and your family are suffering. It's not easy by any means. But I also wanted to say I'm so happy for you. From the day this all started, CJ has had something really important coming up in the future to focus on and "aim" for. Just in the particular circumstances of her family. She's not just living a day at a time and hanging in there. She's got something specific in the "just right amount of time" future that she's living for and I believe God set that up for her. He knows how He made her and what kind of thing she needs to fight that fight. So, for today, she's got February.
Standing with you and CJ in agreement that her son will be back safely from Iraq and he will hold his mother in his arms. All in Jesus' name.
MyDiwa, I totally agree. She lives each day with "the next goal" in mind. I remember when she just wanted to live "long enough" to see her son get married ..... and he just passed his first wedding anniversary last month.
She and I are working on a project together. Along the lines of what you're saying, I told her, "God is keeping you around for a reason and I think I know what it might be. Here's my idea......"
I cannot begin to tell you how she, and what she is going thru, has impacted so many of us. She is a true "George Bailey" to more than she knows.
Update:
For those who may have missed this post, CJ was interviewed on our local news: http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-7223885-.html#7223885
PLUS .....!
Her next thing on her "let me live long enough ......" is to see her son come home from Iraq (which is what the TV interview is about). He sent an email and will be heading home next week!!!! Now "home" is in Texas, but it's way closer than Iraq!
Her latest email says she is losing words faster and faster anymore, and she is tired all the time. That part makes me cry because one of the first questions she asked was "How does it end?" and she was told "You'll sleep alot. One day you just won't wake up." She has a dr. appt tomorrow (tuesday the 8th) and it's the only appt in which she has confided that she's scared of what he might say.
But her son is on his way home and that's what's important to her!
I am so glad he will be home soon. I am still praying for you and your sister.
I am so sorry for what you and your family are going through. Please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many people.
Wow - as soon as next week! That's wonderful. I can only imagine how they both feel...
The part about how it will end, as hard as it is, try to replace sad thoughts about the future when they become overwhelming with happier thoughts about your memories and of the present you have with her now. For a woman struck by cancer, she's been blessed more than most and I know this may seem morbid, but I have to say, if there's a way to go, peacefully as you sleep is the best. And you have the assurance of where she's going. Something like that I took for granted until my father died and the idea of him not being in heaven for eternity sometimes hurts me more than my missing him. So I hope that comforts you in some way.
MyDiwa, I've thought about so many things like that since the beginning: that I am fortunate to have the time to realize there are things that should not go unsaid .... and I have made sure they got said. That I/we have had the unique chance to understand what's REALLY important and that the line of "life is too short" isn't just a line. That time spent worrying about what other people think about the things we've done or choices we've made .... well, those folks aren't really worth worrying about, either.
Doesn't mean I'm not going to miss her more than anything, though. 
As hard as it may be, I am glad, that you have had the chance to say all that is important, to hug her as much as you can and use all the time that you could grab together. Many people never get that chance and even if they do get a warning, do not realise how important it is to really use the time left and the chance slips by. Will be keeping both of you in my thoughts, it won't be easy for you, but take comfort in that you have had a wonderful relationship and were there for each other in so many more ways than many other sisters ever are or were.
Hi Indydebi, I just read this post and I would just like to say that I am terribly sorry that you and your family are going through this, I will be keeping you, your sister and your family in my thoughts and prayers, how is your sister doing?
catherine, thanks for the very kind words. She can't have anymore surgeries. The cancer is "spidered" into her brain. Another surgery would leave her paralyzed on one side and speechless ... without adding any add'l time for her.
Her son DID get up for Christmas and spent over a week with her. I know it was the most glorious holiday she has ever spent.
They've added a 2nd medication that won't add any add'l time but may slow down the cancer's growth. She walks very slow because her balance is off and is aware that her words are difficult for her (although when I talk to her, she seems to do very well, considering.)
Again, we are grateful for all the time she's been given. Feb will be 24 months, a milestone that not too many with this cancer ever see (if I'm remembering correctly, I think it's less than 5%?).
I am so happy she got to spend time with her son this Christmas. What a remarkable women. God Bless all of you. You are in my prayers.
catherine, thanks for the very kind words. She can't have anymore surgeries. The cancer is "spidered" into her brain. Another surgery would leave her paralyzed on one side and speechless ... without adding any add'l time for her.
Her son DID get up for Christmas and spent over a week with her. I know it was the most glorious holiday she has ever spent.
They've added a 2nd medication that won't add any add'l time but may slow down the cancer's growth. She walks very slow because her balance is off and is aware that her words are difficult for her (although when I talk to her, she seems to do very well, considering.)
Again, we are grateful for all the time she's been given. Feb will be 24 months, a milestone that not too many with this cancer ever see (if I'm remembering correctly, I think it's less than 5%?).
I am also glad that your sister was able to spend Christmas with her son, I can imagine that it would have been a special time for them both spending it together 
I am sorry however to hear about that there is nothing else can be done to help her, your sister sounds like a lovely lady who has very much luckily had extra special time here, I guess god doesn't want her just yet and I hope not for a while longer either *hugs* I will be keeping you all in my thoughts.
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers as well. Often only those who have had to go through difficult times with loved ones figure how to cherish time differently! I hope all who have followed your sister's illness say a prayer/think a loving thought for her and cherish those we love a little more. Best, Theresa
thursday (Jan 5) she passed out at home; was taken to the hospital. Her brain is swelling and the meds she's on that are supposed to prevent the swelling isn't (aren't?) strong enough to do the job and she's on the max dosage. She was sent home with medications to "make her comfortable". She's having a real hard time with her balance these days.
Friday (Jan 6) she had a seizure at home. Thankfully, her husband got with their church and had arranged for folks to be with her daily, so there was a woman there who called 9-1-1 for an ambulance. She was taken to hospital and is still there. I'm still overwhelmed with thankfulness that she wasn't alone when this happened.
Last I heard (via text earlier today from her son's wife), there were discussions of hospice care but I dont' know if it is an immediate probability or just discussion of "when she gets to that point" thing.
I am forever grateful to all of the messages of support and notices of how many prayer lists she is being put on.
She is a very lucky woman to have had such a sister and family that she did, i am sure, that she has lived as long as she has, because of you all, the love has carried her through all odds. Try and hold on to that, who knows, perhaps she is doing that as well. Nothing that we can say or do, can lesson the difficult time or pain you are going through, but as long as you know, that people are praying and thinking of the two of you, it might comfort you, at least, I hope it does. If it does come to the worst, she will live on, in YOU, her children and her grandkids to come, and in the memories you have and have shared with us.
Sending you a very big Cyberhug from Shanghai
May God continue to grant you, your sister and your families strength and comfort.
Debi,
I haven't seen any of your posts lately, (which I always enjoy reading) I guess due to the CC reformatting, and me going back to work full time. I searched your name on CC and came up with this thread. I am sorry for your pain. My best friend died of brain cancer last year and you are right. Good people do not deserve this.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
thursday (Jan 5) she passed out at home; was taken to the hospital. Her brain is swelling and the meds she's on that are supposed to prevent the swelling isn't (aren't?) strong enough to do the job and she's on the max dosage. She was sent home with medications to "make her comfortable". She's having a real hard time with her balance these days.
Friday (Jan 6) she had a seizure at home. Thankfully, her husband got with their church and had arranged for folks to be with her daily, so there was a woman there who called 9-1-1 for an ambulance. She was taken to hospital and is still there. I'm still overwhelmed with thankfulness that she wasn't alone when this happened.
Last I heard (via text earlier today from her son's wife), there were discussions of hospice care but I dont' know if it is an immediate probability or just discussion of "when she gets to that point" thing.
I am forever grateful to all of the messages of support and notices of how many prayer lists she is being put on.
I am so sorry to hear your sister is going through this. My heart breaks for you and your family. My prayers are with you. May God grant you strength.
thursday (Jan 5) she passed out at home; was taken to the hospital. Her brain is swelling and the meds she's on that are supposed to prevent the swelling isn't (aren't?) strong enough to do the job and she's on the max dosage. She was sent home with medications to "make her comfortable". She's having a real hard time with her balance these days.
Friday (Jan 6) she had a seizure at home. Thankfully, her husband got with their church and had arranged for folks to be with her daily, so there was a woman there who called 9-1-1 for an ambulance. She was taken to hospital and is still there. I'm still overwhelmed with thankfulness that she wasn't alone when this happened.
Last I heard (via text earlier today from her son's wife), there were discussions of hospice care but I dont' know if it is an immediate probability or just discussion of "when she gets to that point" thing.
I am forever grateful to all of the messages of support and notices of how many prayer lists she is being put on.
Hi Debi,
I am sorry to hear that you sister is going through this pain and uncomfortableness. I have you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Big warm squeezy hugs
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