Monsters are Getting My Mommy

by: krh

Since the time Katseye was diagnosed with cancer, Katseye felt the stress. Stress on the possibility of death, stress on the financial burden ahead, and stress on what this will bring to her daughter, Andree.

Katseye often vomits. She is not sure if this is because of cancer or simply because of stress. Her vomiting caught Andree’s attention and led the little girl asking “Mommy why vomit?”. Katseye replied, “Mommy is sick baby”.

Of course Andree never thought it to be terminal. She was just thinking mommy has flu or had a lot to eat for lunch.

But this misconception must be clarified, as Katseye decided. Andree needs to know the real deal to prepare her for the changes in the next couple of months.

Katseye had a heart to heart talk with her little girl and told her that mommy is: very sick; will need to go to the hospital often; and will also lose her hair (because of chemo). The losing of hair bothered Andree, who wouldn’t?

Since that conversation, Andree showed emotional changes. When Katseye would vomit, Andree would cry and shout “No mommy don’t vomit”, as if trying to stop cancer. She also has nightmares every night. When Katseye asked what the nightmares were about, Andree replied “Mommy monsters are getting you”. Andree is right, the monsters are getting her mommy. The monstrous cancer is getting Katseye.

With all the fears Andree showed in the first few days, she immediately bounced back and gave her mommy the strength Katseye needs. When Andree caught her mommy in tears, Andree asked, “Mommy are you crying?”. Katseye lied and said “No!”. Then Andree said not believing the lie, “Mom don’t cry ha, you have to be strong for me.”