Mom’s Fight

20th July, 2010 - Posted by Jason Cercone - No Comments

This Battle Will Be Won…

I will never cease to be amazed at how fragile this one life we have on this earth can be…and how quickly things can go from right to tragic in its fleeting moments.

Last Thursday, I awoke to two voicemail messages from my Dad stressing the importance of my return phone call. I immediately dialed the phone, only to learn my Mom had been rushed to the hospital after Dad found her unconscious on the bathroom floor. The emotions that flooded over me were indescribable, and feelings of helplessness, uncertainty, and utter shock were all I could muster.

In a time where young children and teenagers grow up idolizing rock stars, celebrities, and athletes, there have always been two people I was proud to call my heroes: my Mom and my Dad. Both of them blessed me with an amazing upbringing, a warm home, love, support, and so much more. While I’m a tremendous sports fan and have my favorite players, I considered it, on a personal level, a slap in the face to idolize someone who didn’t know me, didn’t care if I was alive, or wasn’t even looking to be idolized in the first place. My parents, on the other hand, were always there for me and made me who I am today. And for that, no individual could ever replace them as my heroes.

No matter what was happening in my life, I knew I was able to talk to my Mom. Whether it was a soothing voice over the telephone or a simple hand on the shoulder as she comforted me in times of need and stress, she was always there. Always. And it never truly hit me that one day, that could all change.

As she was life-flighted to Hamot Medical Center in Erie, PA, those of us who have adopted Pittsburgh as our new home, namely my wife Jen and I, our daughter Mackenna, my sister Megan and her boyfriend Greg, began the long, arduous road trip to be with our hero. The trek was as long as it was painful simply because the only thing that kept us going was positive thought. There was no way of knowing what we would be greeted with upon our arrival.

In an effort to spare the worst of details, I will summarize by saying the initial news we received was the worst you can imagine. No words I string together can come close to an explanation for what went on in that room when the news broke. My only thought was it didn’t happen. It couldn’t have. There was no way my Mom, the nicest, kindest, and most generous person I’ve had the privilege of having in my life for 30 years, could leave us while she still had so much to live for.

As I hugged my dad and Jen, I remember a jaded thought crossing my mind that if this was indeed life’s design, something in the world was seriously messed up.

Then, by the grace of God, medical science, refusal to give up, you name it…something happened. Something that lifted the mood in the entire room and, dare I say, the entire building. Something…miraculous.

Dr. Dalton, a man we’ve come to know as one of the best in the world at what he does, made it known that something he had never seen had taken place. After attempting one final test, Mom became  responsive and made it known to the world that damn it, she was not going down without a fight.

The medical staff at Hamot quickly went to work to remove the blood clot found in her brain that led to the bout of unconsciousness. After a successful surgery, the recovery process was underway.

At the time of this writing, we are nowhere near out of the woods. However, the progress Mom has made in this battle has been nothing short of extraordinary. The doctors and nurses have said so. Mom’s mission to once again hold her granddaughter in her arms has been undertaken with such strength, even Dr. Dalton, who’s seen EVERYTHING, is astonished at how well Mom is progressing.

I won’t lie and say the positive news has made this any easier on the rest of us. Despite trying to keep the brightest of outlooks on what the future will hold, I can’t help but wonder why. Why, with so many criminals and twisted people roaming the planet without an ounce of care or resolve for humankind, was a kind-spirited person like Mom the one chosen to fight such a battle?

For those reading this who don’t know my Mom, saying she’s a nice woman would be the understatement of a lifetime. I’ve never met a person more willing to sacrifice for others than her, and the only thing at the root of it is her kind and warming nature. I honestly believe Mom was practicing “pay it forward” before pay it forward was a hip and cool term.

For those who do know my Mom, there’s nothing I can put into words that justify who she really is and I’m sure you’d agree.

I can’t begin to stress the gratitude myself and my family has for the tremendous outpouring of support that’s come from this fight Mom is going through. From the medical staff at Hamot working round-the-clock to ensure Mom’s recovery to the family and friends who have offered kind words, thoughts, prayers, and actions, I speak for all of us when I say, from the bottom of all our hearts, thank you.

Depending on your personal beliefs, you can formulate your own opinion as to why Mom’s miraculous recovery is currently taking place. There may be bumps along the way, but I firmly believe it’s nothing she can’t overcome. There’s a reason why she’s ahead of schedule and winning this fight. The power of positive energy, thought, and prayer is alive inside of her. And, of course, there’s Mackenna.

Mom was, in no uncertain terms, made to be a Grandma. Nana, as she is affectionately known, has taken such an interest in everything that has to do with Mackenna, it inspires me to be a better father. From watching her when we come home to holding her non-stop to calling me to find out how she’s doing, she’s a Grandma in every sense of the word. And for the sake of Mackenna having that influence in her life, I know Mom is going to continue to fight this battle until its won because she loves this little girl with every ounce of her being. The thought that keeps me going is that, one day soon, Mom and Mack will be making cookies together in Mom’s new kitchen…something Mom’s talked about since the day Mack arrived.

Every word of this tribute is filled with hope, respect, love and positive thought. There will be a continuation to this story when Mom officially wins this battle, mark my words. And I cannot wait to write it.

Mom, this is for you. Thinking of you always. With all the love in the world.

Your son.