Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Hippeastrum 'Apple Blossom' story, 0 by henryr10

henryr10 wrote:
In the late Summer of 2004 a dear friend started having blurred vision and a slight balance problem.
She went to her Ophthalmologist for a checkup thinking it was time for new glasses.
He did some tests and sent her immediately for an MRI.
She was diagnosed w/ Brain Cancer.
It was extremely aggressive and not much chance was given for her survival.
Through a hard regimen of Chemo, Radiation and finally surgery they got it all.
She was back at work w/ only a slight vision loss.
In a follow up MRI they found some scar tissue, removed it, found no trace of the Cancer and She felt fine.

Then before Thanksgiving she collapsed in convulsions..............It was back.
After more treatments they were able to shrink the tumor.
She had been given a less than 50% chance of lasting a year.
She opted out of more treatments.

She was basically stuck at home and miserable.
She popped into work now and then but it was bitter sweet.

Then at the Secret Santa drawing I pulled her name.
I hadn't the faintest idea what to do.
Finally at HD I ran into some Amaryllis 'Apple Blossom' almost in flower.
I decided to get her one along w/ some bird feeders and a ton of seed.
I figured the flower would cheer her up and the birds would entertain her some.
I also told her I would take the 'Apple Blossom' back after it was done flowering and Summer it.
It worked like a charm.
The birds came, the flower hung on for weeks and she decided to finally restart treatments.
(Her Family is VERY persuasive!)

It's now 12 months since I got it back.
She is doing very well.
The tumor is not detectable. The doctors will no longer say she's cured.
She has retired and works heavily w/ her Church.

The 'Apple Blossom'?
I picked every brain I could find on their care and.......
It has given us a show again.

Ric