But there was one thing nagging her--a sore spot on the back of her thigh. "I don't know what it is," she said. "Surely, I've pulled a muscle." She had been to the doctor and they thought the same thing. Lately, she had spent a lot of time on her exercise bike and simply thought she was overdoing it.
Several weeks and doctors' visists later, Marcelia finally learned the truth. She had soft tissue sarcoma, cancer, that often targets the legs or arms. Immediately, with a wonderful, positive attitude, she went into treatment. Over a period of less than a year, she had four major surgeries. I was so amazed at her fighting spirit. The news was always optimistic from the doctors. We, my family, always felt like she would pull through. During the first weekend in November, Marcelia took an unexpected turn for the worst. I happened to be an hour away from the hospital and rushed to see her. She was having trouble breathing. She had taken a short break from chemotherapy treatment in order for doctors to operate on her leg that she broke. The treatment had weakened the bone. During that time, a tumor grew out of control and affected her heart. We were still optimistic. She had the energy to tell jokes and thanked me for coming. By Tuesday, she was only hanging on. Her breathing was labored. Occasionally, she would get a burst of energy and start thanking family members and telling them that she loved them. Just like my stepmother, gracious until the very end. She passed away 12:45am Wednesday morning at the age of 57.
I worry a lot about my dad. I saw the same look on his face, I witnessed many years ago when we went through this ordeal before. Then, it was my mother who slipped away from the same disease, cancer--in the same hospital, Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. Surely, he must have thought, this won't happen again. I also worry about my two stepbrothers, Omar and Kevin, who were crazy about their mother. And I worry about the seven grandkids who loved their nana.
There is a Sarcoma Foundation of America based in Maryland. You can find more information at www.curesarcoma.org. There is even a chapter in Virginia Beach.
I'll never understand why this terrible disease had to take Marcelia away but I do know that she is in a better place smiling down at us. During this week of Thanksgiving, I can certainly be thankful, I had her in my life. I will miss her dearly.