The History of Deborah McCan

I said I would give a little background on my mom and since I'm actually feeling pretty good, again, I decided this is a time. 

My mom was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in August 2008.  Just 2 short months after my son was born.  We found and instantly went to UCLA to meet with a doctor (with whom her name escapes me).  She was very nice and told us that if it was only in the esophagus they could fix it.  Fantastic!!  Well after a CT, MRI, and every other test with an initial the cancer was also found in her left lung.  Strike out!

So since it has already metastasized they could not do the surgery and recommended chemo and radiation.  My mom was optimistic and underwent all treatment with gusto.  The first round wasn't so bad.  Then a short test that determined it didn't work as they intended.  So with that she went again.  This round was worse, but she still held hope.  After a few months another test and it looked ok, not great, but just ok!  So following that a few months later was another test which came back bad!  Dang it, I know your thinking it too!  So this time she underwent a more aggressive chemo which made her extremely sick!  It even put her in the hospital.  After it was over she  decided that was all for her and the relationship of chemotherapy.  She hated being sick and I can't say I blamed her!  Plus by now she was sick of me shaving her head, two times was plenty for her.  Finally she started undergoing just radiation for the lung cancer which just wasnt' getting the picture of needing to leave.  Seriously after 3 rounds of chemo and radiation you would think it would get the picture. Ok,so she was undergoing radiation like I said and started experiencing horrible headaches. She went to see her doctor and underwent another CT scan. This one unfortunately came back with super bad results; the cancer had spread to her brain. So with that and the almost 3 year anniversary looming she decided she was done.

She decided she was done on August 4th that she was now going to just enjoy life to the best of her ability.  She wanted to volunteer and help kids read.  Unfortunately she wasn't ever able to do that.  She started on hospice on August 9th.  She had her ups and downs but on the week of August 30th her battle became very evident that it was soon ending.  She went from playing on the floor with my son to laying in bed and not able to do anything. 

On Friday September 3rd her battle was ending and the hours were dragging.  So at 8:55 pm after a long battle my mom went to meet with God!  This day was not just hard because of her death but also it was my husbands birthday.

So as you can see my mom was a strong person!  She did the best she could, but unfortunately the cancer overcomed her!  A few days laters I overheard a thing on Children's Miracle Network that says cancer needs to get cancer!  I completely agreed.