The Norden family changed forever on a March day in 2002. The word leukemia was spoken and the diagnosis was on our mother, Bette. You see Bette was sick for about a month before her diagnosis. It was a struggle to find out what was really going on with our mom. She was pushed aside with a wrong diagnosis of Hepatitis. After our mom went to get a second opinion at Mayo clinic they finally gave us answers.
Immediately after we got the diagnosis Mayo worked immediately on a treatment plan and our mother’s new home would be a hotel in Rochester MN since it was over 2 hours from home. She would start radiation and chemo right away in March. Also in March my mom celebrated her 46th birthday. On her birthday we shared wonderful get well cards and pictures! Even through the terrible treatment and feeling icky she remained JOYFUL. Joyful in every aspect of life even facing the hardest challenge of her life. We love your smile and we miss your contagious laugh!
The treatment seemed to be going very well! My mom’s sisters were all checked to see if they were bone marrow matches and sadly none of them were but the treatment plan still kept pushing along.
Our mother finished some treatments and was able to come home in May of 2002. She did go back for another treatment a few weeks later. In September she was home again and she even had a letter stating she was cancer free!!
Leukemia is ugly in fact just the word sends shivers down my spine as I want to kick it in the face! A couple weeks later it showed its ugly face again. My mother was back in Rochester where they determined a new course of action. She started a more intense chemo plan.
October 18th brought a tough day as my mom was struggling with pain and having a hard time breathing. She was transferred to intensive care. A roller coaster ride was about to begin for us for about 2 weeks. October 29th, we were all at the hospital to say our goodbye’s. The decision was made to stop treatment as things went from bad to worse. :( My mom held on through the night and went home to Jesus the morning of October 30th, 2002. CANCER SUCKS! This October she will have been gone 10 years. WE MISS YOU MOM, we walk for you and so others do not have to suffer the pain we suffered.
For those of you who would rather mail a check, write the check out to Leukemia & Lymphoma society and please write Kelly Norden in the memo line and mail the check to--
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
8441 Wayzata Blvd. Suite 340
Golden Valley, MN 55426
OR CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE!!! Even a $1 helps!!!
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