When you get news like we did last month there are many new considerations.  Cancer makes you think of all kinds of new and interesting subjects.  When I got the news it came in the form of a phone call on a Saturday afternoon as I was heading back to work from an ultrasound test. 

"You have a tumour and it is cancerous."

I called Patti & gave her the news then returned to the office.  There wasn't anything that could be done that afternoon so I thought I just as well might keep my mind busy with work. 

Patti got on the phone and called all the kids and family.  We didn't know exact details or treatments to come but she made those calls just the same.  So everyone knew, I told my associates at work and there were no secrets. 

But how would we tell Mom?  She is 88 and lives an independent life near by but she is getting a bit forgetful and fumble minded as of late.  We don't want her to worry needlessly.  Do we tell her at all?  A couple weeks went by and Patti and I finally decided that we would have to bring her in on the news.

We decided to take her dinner one evening and tell her then. If we took Carter along, our eight year old grandson, we would have an excuse not to hang around because he would need to get a bath and off to bed early.  The next day was a school day. 

So we gave her a call announcing our plans, swung by McDonalds for burgers and placed Carter in front of the TV with his Happy Meal. 

Patti, Mom & I all sat at her dining table as I made my announcement.

"Mom, I'm afraid I have some bad news to share with you.  I have cancer."

"Oh", she said, "what gave you cancer?"

Good question I think to myself, I wonder what did give me cancer.

"Well Mom, sometimes people just get it I guess."

"At least it's not really bad news," she replied.

Patti and I shot a glance at each other and then back at her.  She was being dead serious, at least it was not really bad news. 

I caught the twinkle in Patti's eye and we were able to control our composure until after we had climbed into the car and were around the corner.  Then we laughed and laughed all the way home.  We called the kids and my sister from out of town.  It was the funniest thing to happen to us in weeks.

So tell me what kind of mind trick did that little ol' lady play on us that evening?  When do the words, "I have cancer," become the punchline of hilarity?  Too funny Mom.

Tomorrow is another day but first this one needs to be lived to the fullest.