My mother passed, we think, from cancer.

A former long-time smoker, she was already in poor health when her lung cancer was diagnosed a few months ago. I never found out just what kind she had (I live 1,000 miles away), but immunotherapy was prescribed. She got one dose of Keytruda and went downhill so fast it was astounding.

My sister and brother were there to help almost full-time, and it was suggested to me to visit at the end of June. How I wish I had gone sooner! I got one smile and that was it. She was almost ready for hospice at that point and they kept her at home as long as they could. There came a day when it was time to let the pros take over, and she didn't last two days in the facility.

It was not pretty to see someone who was such a huge part of your life deteriorate as she did...but all I could see when I looked at her was my Mom still young and beautiful as she was when I was a kid.

I lucked out with" only" breast cancer...thus far.