Maria Jones, Hurricane Katrina evacuee and friend to Louisiana, writes to her after a long absence. She has been feeling unwell, and tests have concluded that she has a tumor on her brain. She is facing the prospects of surgery and a long hospital stay.
Thursday, January 12, 2006~
Dear Louisiana~
Hi! It's me, Maria Jones! I am sorry for not writing sooner, but I have been sick lately. Seems that I have been having spells of dizziness and nausea; and also problems with my balance. I went into the hospital for tests, and it appears that I have a tumor on my brain. They don't think it is cancerous, but still, the thought of a tumor being there in my head is absolutely TERRIFYING, and I am facing the prospect of surgery to have the tumor removed; and then a period of chemotherapy and maybe radiation therapy. So it is not all that well with me now; please keep me in your prayers!
I am here in Texas with my husband and my sons; and it was a joyful reunion. And yes, my kitty is here, too; she and my family are the only ones who keep me sane right now. I have been crying buckets of tears about the tumor diagnosis, and my husband, bless his ever loving heart, has been a big support, as have my boys. I don't know what I would do without them! I am living in Fort Worth now; we have a new apartment, and I love it here; but the weather has been dry, and they are in desperate need of rain here. There have been many wildfires burning, and the wind only aggravates the fires; and it is a scary, uncertain time. Please pray that Texas (and New Mexico, as well as Oklahoma) get the needed relief from the severe drought conditions!! I hope the weather is better there in Tennessee; I sure loved being there and being able to visit you, but there were no jobs there that I could do; so this was why I went to Texas. I am working at a Wal*Mart, but now I am on medical leave because of my darned health. It has been a lot of fun--NOT!!
How are things with you? How is your husband, and how are the kiddos? Please tell them all that I still think of them often, and tell them (the kids) that I miss their happy laughter and their hugs! I also miss your husband's cookin' (and also yours!), and I miss the happy times that you shared. I haven't met anyone like you, and you have been nothing but an angel to me. I thank you for your friendship and your Cajun hospitality; I shall never forget you as long as I live! You took care of me when I needed it the most, and you never gave up on me; and I appreciate it very much! I am glad that we still can keep in touch with each other, even if it is only by computer or by phone!
Well, I will go for now; I have to go see Dr. Muchero for my appointment. He is my main doctor (a neurologist), and he is the one that will let me know if I need the surgery or not. I will let you know what transpires; stay tuned!
