Illinois ladies facing bc

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  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited February 2011

    In Carolyn's honor:

    Those we love don't go away,
    They walk beside us every day,
    Unseen, unheard, but always near,
    Still loved, still missed and very dear.
    - Anonymous

    When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,
    and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
    Kahlil Gibran

  • smerf
    smerf Posts: 476
    edited February 2011

    Jackie, the quotes are so perfect, and so comforting.

    We were not prepared for this to happen so suddenly, but I think it was easier for Carolyn this way, and for that I'm thankful. I think she felt supported by everyone on this board, and was looking forward to the luncheon. I agree with Jackie that she felt the caring and love from all of us, whether we were calling her,  sending a card, or leaving a message on this board. Everyone contributed in their way, and it all added up to one big bundle of caring.

    Prayers and hugs to her family.

  • Mich101
    Mich101 Posts: 489
    edited February 2011

    I am so sad, and shocked too. May Carolyn rest in peace.

  • JanClare
    JanClare Posts: 267
    edited February 2011

    "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." Irish saying

    Shaking with sorrow at the news about Carolyn.  I held her hand when I talked to her at the Holiday lunch, for that memory I am so grateful.  My other memories will be of her happy stories about her beloved kitty and her sister's family.  Thankful that she had those she loved to support and hug her. 

  • LisaMomOfFour
    LisaMomOfFour Posts: 226
    edited February 2011

    I am so saddened and shocked, it all happened so fast.  My thoughts are with her family.  Jackie thank you for the lovely and comforting quotes. 

  • conniehar
    conniehar Posts: 585
    edited February 2011

    I love that picture Wendy.  I CAN see her in the lounge chair. 

  • samedaynurseJan
    samedaynurseJan Posts: 162
    edited February 2011

    I just got home from work and wanted to give all of you the little extra bit of information that I have.  I rec'd some texts from Dy this morning telling me/us that Carolyn just took the turn for the worst last night and was taken to the hospital and as of 10am this morning she told me she was in her last hours , it sounds like everything happened very quickly after that. Im so very sad that she lost her life to this disease but Im so very happy that she didnt spend 6 months in Hospice deteriorating day by day....and that now there wont be any suffering for her. My prayers and my thoughts continue for Dy and the rest of her family. Jackie thank you for your calming wisdom......always.

    jan

  • NanaA
    NanaA Posts: 97
    edited February 2011

    Ladies, i have been trying to catch up on all the posts I have missed in the last few weeks and am so sorry to hear about Carolyns passing.  I am glad she did not suffer too long.  My  prayers are with her family.

     The reason I have been missing so long is that my father passed away on Jan 9.  He was admitted to hospital on afternoon of the 7th and died early am on 9th .  He was 84 and had contract a UTi that overwhelmed his system and the iv antibotics did not get time to work.  I think he was ready to go.  He had been in a wheelchair most of the time for over a year, and in and out of nursing home when he would fall.  He lived in apartment attached to the nursing home and assisted living.  He was getting ready to move into the assisted living the next week.  One of my sisters flew out from AZ and we picked her up at the airport in Indy on way to Dads home in Ohio. We had to get there ahead of a storm coming in.  My knee surgery in Dec, only allowed me to ride in back seat of car with leg elevated for trip.  There was a service in Ohio and then he was flown to Phoenix for a service before being buried next to my Mom.   I could not fly to Phoenix for that service  due to knee, but my other sister from Tucson was able to come to that service, so at least 2 of the 3 of us were there for each service.  Even tho he was ready to go, I occasionally still have a hard time realizing that he is gone.

     I was allowed to start driving this last week and went back to work part time, but have been off the last 3 days due to the weather.  I will go back tomorrow.  PT also tomorrow for knee.  They cancelled my appointment Wednesday and I missed the whole  week we were in Ohio, so PT progress is not going as fast as I would have hoped.  There is some knotted scar tissue just above the knee which is stopping the knee  from bending as much as they would like.  We are working on it.  I will be happy when we get to the stage where is does not hurt all the time. From what I hear I probably have another 5 or 6 weeks before we get to that point.

    I was glad to hear so many good reports about NED and finishing chemo and you are in my thoughts.  Those of you on a vacation in a warm spot are in  my thoughts too.  I wish I could be there but will wait until knee is better and can really enjoy it.

    Hugs to al  Annette 

  • joan888
    joan888 Posts: 711
    edited February 2011

    Oh, so shocked and saddened to read the news of Carolyn's passing.  How did that happen so fast?  I too am so glad that she did not suffer long.  I just can not stop thinking about her and her wonderful family.  Rest in peace, Carolyn.

  • donnadio
    donnadio Posts: 674
    edited February 2011

    I know zap.. . maybe she let go and what a gift for her.. her timing and in her way.

    Laura.. crying too. Sending you hugs!It is all surreal.

  • ritajean
    ritajean Posts: 4,042
    edited February 2011

    I've been sitting here, staring at the computer screen for some time now and am utterly shocked to hear about Carolyn.  How very upsetting!  I'm sure that each of us will deal with this news in our own way, but I'm sure we're all united in our grief and disbelief.  Thanks so much to you northern girls, who reached out to her with your hope, friendship, visits, and compassion.  I know she felt your love. 

  • beetle25
    beetle25 Posts: 26
    edited February 2011

    I just found this thread and thought that I would join since I to am from Illinois.  From reading your posts Carolyn must have been a wonderful person and I to am saddened that a sister has passed.  I know that she will be missed by all of you very much.  Her family and friends are in my prayers as they go through this time.

    I live 23 miles from St. Louis in a little town called Lebanon.  I was diagnosed Feb.  11, 2010 so I am coming up on my one year.  I will be having my first mammogram since all this began on the 8th of Feb.   I am triple negative, IDC stage IIa grade 2.  My tumor was 2.9 - 3.1 depending on who read the ultrasound and MRI.  I went through chemo first, followed by surgery and then radiation. SNB was negative. Thanks to the chemo I had a pCR and am now doing pretty well. 

  • blackjack
    blackjack Posts: 771
    edited February 2011

    Hi Girls, I am deeply sadden to hear about Carolyn's passing. I am glad that she didn't have to suffer while in hospice. You all can take great comfort in know that  Carolyn loved our little group. She always looked forward to our chatty lunches and told me she was glad she found us. BC has brought us together for love, support and friendship. She felt all our love,support and friendship by the funny cards we sent her and by the group pictures she treasured. She is looking down at us and waving thank you.

    Jackie thank you for your caring words and quotes at this sad time. Remember to hug the one's you love. Hugs to all of you. Enjoy your life.

    BJ

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 4,011
    edited February 2011

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited February 2011

    Beetle25, welcome to the Illinois Ladies.  We are in a sad mood at the moment -- Carolyn was such a genuine and valiant person and she will be very missed. 

    I live in Centralia which is fairly close to you.  Dh and I have spent many happy hours in the  past ( BC -- before cancer ) years visiting all the quaint little antique type shops in Lebanon.  I looked up pCR as I didn't know what it was.  Hope your mammo goes well with no problems on the 8th. and hope you continue to come here often.  Did you go to Siteman for your txs. 

    Healing hugs to all tonight,

    Jackie

  • Mazy1959
    Mazy1959 Posts: 254
    edited February 2011

    Sameday, Thank you for sharing that info. To be honest, I am happy for her ...she went how most of us wish to...kind of all at once and not suffering.

    Beetle I am in Quincy..about 3.5 hours north of StLouis. So sorry you had to join at such a sad time.

  • Char2010
    Char2010 Posts: 362
    edited February 2011

    I too am glad that Carolyn is not suffering and left this world embraced by those that love and care for her.  But it breaks my heart that she is no longer here to enjoy her family, friends, and sweet kitty.  I feel so fortunate having had the chance to meet her at the luncheon and December.  Can't believe that it was less than two months ago.

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 4,011
    edited February 2011

    Mazy - Glad to see you checked in. Hugs....

    Beetle - Welcome. This is a sad day here. Happy you found us. These girls are wonderful.

    ------------------------

    Just fyi...I posted a photo of Carolyn at the Angel thread here:

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/56/topic/702430?page=2#idx_59

  • Unknown
    edited February 2011

    I did not know Carolyn, but was so shocked when I read about her passing since I know you all were planning to see her .  She sounded like a wonderful person and I am very sorry that you lost a friend.  This disease scares the crap out of me.  I have been Stage lV for 13 yrs now and have always considered myself to be very fortunate to have never been extremly ill from the cancer or treatments and have just more or less accepted it as being just part of my life.  I do not think about dying all that much, but when I read about how so many women even though, they are not in the best of shape and know that there is not much more that can be done just are suddenly gone,  BAM!, just like that, it really scares me.  BoPeep was one I was extremely upset about....one day she was posting, worrying about a friend with cancer more than she was worried about herself, the the next day, she was gone.  I know it is good that these women did not have to linger and suffer, but it is just shocking to me, that it happens so fast.  Again, I am sorry you lost a dear friend. 

  • Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Posts: 2,883
    edited February 2011

    Dear friends, I am so sorry to hear about Carolyn, please know that you will all be in my thoughts and prayers, such a sad day. Kathy

  • ritajean
    ritajean Posts: 4,042
    edited February 2011

    Thanks Laura for posting the picture of Carolyn on the angels thread.  While going through the thread, I also found the picture of Ginny that you'd posted there and I got all choked up again.  Everytime we lose another gal to this terrible disease it makes me more determined to do more walks, golf in more SGKomen golf outings, and attend more fund raisers to raise more money for research.  Although things have advanced greatly over the years, it continues to amaze me that we can't find that cure or the way to eradicate it.  We have so many highly intelligent people throughout the world.  We just need that cure!

  • ritajean
    ritajean Posts: 4,042
    edited February 2011

    Mazy...so good to hear from you, gal!  How are YOU doing?  I think of you often.

  • donnadio
    donnadio Posts: 674
    edited February 2011

    thanks  laura !

    Welcome beetle..and congad's for one year!!! We are all warriors here and glad to have more join as this is a forum for true support and sisterhood!

    Will there be a service and info on Carolyn. Just so sad today and yet feeling the peace for her in such a big way. To know she was only in Hospice for a few hours and not weeks, makes my heart feel a little better. We all did what we could and hopefully she felt it to the end.

  • blackjack
    blackjack Posts: 771
    edited February 2011

    Laura sent you a email 

  • Onetoughwoman47
    Onetoughwoman47 Posts: 132
    edited February 2011
    Speechless and stunned....May she ride the waves, lap up the sunshine and enjoy the sand between her toes in her next life and journey...a friend, a sister, a warm compassionate woman, she will be missed by many and forever in our hearts!Innocent
  • navymom
    navymom Posts: 842
    edited February 2011

    Thanks for posting Carolyn's picture, Laura.

    Navy

  • illinoislady
    illinoislady Posts: 46,506
    edited February 2011

    Friends are kisses blown to us by angels.  ~Author Unknown

  • lago
    lago Posts: 11,653
    edited February 2011

    beetle25 Welcome to the ilfc group. I still feel like a newbieto this group myself. Just met the gang in December face to face. This is an amazing group of caring women. 
    ----------------------------------------

    Thanks for posting the photo Laura. As I mentioned to Carolyn when I first met, her she looks like my friend Allison in CA. Ironically my friend Allison called me Thursday. We don't talk that often but maybe it was a signal, who knows.

    I told my husband last night about Carolyn. He was rather shocked.

    For those of you who are having trouble accessing the link to Carolyn's photo that Laura posted, here it is again:
    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/56/topic/702430?page=2 

  • wendyk13
    wendyk13 Posts: 1,458
    edited February 2011

    Morning!  Bright sunshine this morning, but chilly!  Warmer this weekend before the artic air comes back.  Yuck.

    Kindergarten/Beetle....welcome to our little corner of the world.  Glad you found us, but so sorry you had to!  Sorry too that we are all a bit down regarding our Sister Carolyn...but we also know that you understand.  We will pick ourselves up and begin again...cuz we have a saying 'round here....Illinois Gals Are Tough!!!!!

    Waving at you Carolyn....Ginny and Fitzpattie no doubt have welcomed you and you have become fast friends...don't party too hard up there, girls!  Oh what the heck...you three have earned it.....Party Hard!  We miss you guys.....

  • mahometmom62
    mahometmom62 Posts: 63
    edited February 2011

    Anyone from Champaign Illinois? Treatment at Carle Clinic?