In Memory of Charlotte Jones

In memory of Charlotte Jones, my mother: Mom was diagnosed on 2/21/02 with small cell lung cancer. Cancer was something we were all worried about when they said she had a spot on her right lung.

Since mom smoked for over 40 years, I guess it really didn't surprise us either. But the aggressiveness of cancer she had is what terrified us.

Mom chose to have chemo and radiation, and fortunately, she had very few side effects from types of treatments. Repeated CT scans showed no spread of the cancer to her brain or body, so we all had a false sense of security.

In September she started showing obvious signs of fatigue. Mother was admitted in the hospital on 9/20 with severe pneumonia. We spent the next 14 days at her side, sharing stories, memories and telling her over and over how much we loved her.

Dad suggested hospice to us on 9/30, and as a family, we decided we wanted her out of the hospital. We were able to bring her home on 10/1/02 and she spent a fantastic 24 hours in her home, with family, her yorkie (Chelsea), and surrounded by things and people she loved.

On October 2, 2002, my mother lost her battle with cancer. It was a very difficult time for our family. One of the comforts we have is knowing she didn't suffer. She didn't die alone, or in a hospital. I loved my mother and we continue to cope on a daily basis.

-her daughter, Cyndi