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08-16-2007, 05:10 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Having a difficult time...
As some of you *might* know...my Mother was DX not to long after my bc DX with advanced lung cancer. Stage IV. She was a trooper and had several different drugs used to fight her cancer. I was so proud of her on how hard she fought this. She was 77 years old and she amazed me. But we just had to place her in hospice two days ago...she wasn't doing well. I went down there late last night and spent time with her. I'm so thankful I did because I just got a call today that my Mother has passed away.
The un-believable grief I feel right now is unbearable. My Mother was everything to me...we were so close. Not just my Mother but my best friend. I can't imagine life without her. Did I mentioned how much I hate this darned disease! How I pray for a cure. I'm having a hard time typing through the tears. Just sharing with people I feel safe with.
Feeling lost & so alone.
Chelee
__________________
DX: 12-20-05 - Stage IIIA, Her2/Neu, 3+++,Er & Pr weakly positive, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Rt. MRM on 1-3-06 -- No Rads due to compromised lungs.
Chemo started 2-7-06 -- TCH - - Finished 6-12-06
Finished yr of wkly herceptin 3-19-07
3-15-07 Lt side prophylactic simple mastectomy. -- Ooph 4-05-07
9-21-09 PET/CT "Recurrence" to Rt. axllia, Rt. femur, ilium. Possible Sacrum & liver? Now stage IV.
9-28-09 Loading dose of Herceptin & started Zometa
9-29-09 Power Port Placement
10-24-09 Mass 6.4 x 4.7 cm on Rt. femur head.
11-19-09 RT. Femur surgery - Rod placed
12-7-09 Navelbine added to Herceptin/Zometa.
3-23-10 Ten days of rads to RT femur. Completed.
4-05-10 Quit Navelbine--Herceptin/Zometa alone.
5-4-10 Appt. with Dr. Slamon to see what is next? Waiting on FISH results from femur biopsy.
Results to FISH was unsuccessful--this happens less then 2% of the time.
7-7-10 Recurrence to RT axilla again. Back to UCLA for options.
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08-16-2007, 05:16 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 556
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Sorry for the new Cheele. I know how difficult it would be to loose the mother.
Julie
__________________
Diagnosed in Sept 2004 while pregnant with the second child. Stage 3b, tumor 4.5cm, 4 auxillary and supraclav node positive. Her2+++ FISH 9.4 and er-,pr-.
Had dose dense neoadjuvant AC,Taxol then mastectomy,radiation+xeloda+Herceptin.
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08-16-2007, 05:24 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
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Dear Chelee,
I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. It is so difficult to lose a parent. I lost my mom over 10 years ago and it still hurts. It's such a blessing, tho, that you were able to spend time with her. I guess I know now where you get your fighting spirit! She must have been very proud of you.
I know this is a very sad time for you and I hope you can feel my prayers and love wrapping around you right now. And especially, know that you have your special angel watching over you now.
Much, much love
chris
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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08-16-2007, 05:46 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,519
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May the lord hold you and comfort you, Chelee. Just know that he now cares for your mother and she has no more disease or pain. My deepest sympathies for your loss.
__________________
Brenda
NOV 2012 - 9 yr anniversary
JULY 2012 - 7 yr anniversary stage IV (of 50...)
Nov'03~ dX stage 2B
Dec'03~ Rt side mastectomy, Her2+, ER/PR+, 10 nodes out, one node positive
Jan'04~ Taxotere/Adria/Cytoxan x 6, NED, no Rads, Tamox. 1 year, Arimadex 3 mo., NED 14 mo.
Sept'05~ micro mets lungs/chest nodes/underarm node, Switched to Aromasin, T/C/H x 7, NED 6 months - Herceptin only
Aug'06~ micro mets chest nodes, & bone spot @ C3 neck, Added Taxol to Herceptin
Feb'07~ Genetic testing, BRCA 1&2 neg
Apr'07~ MRI - two 9mm brain mets & 5 punctates, new left chest met, & small increase of bone spot C3 neck, Stopped Aromasin
May'07~ Started Tykerb/Xeloda, no WBR for now
June'07~ MRI - stable brain mets, no new mets, 9mm spots less enhanced, CA15.3 down 45.5 to 9.3 in 10 wks, Ty/Xel working magic!
Aug'07~ MRI - brain mets shrunk half, NO NEW BRAIN METS!!, TMs stable @ 9.2
Oct'07~ PET/CT & MRI show NED
Apr'08~ scans still show NED in the head, small bone spot on right iliac crest (rear pelvic bone)
Sept'08~ MRI shows activity in brain mets, completed 5 fractions/5 consecutive days of IMRT to zap the pesky buggers
Oct'08~ dropped Xeloda, switched to tri-weekly Herceptin in combo with Tykerb, extend to tri-monthly Zometa infusion
Dec'08~ Brain MRI- 4 spots reduced to punctate size, large spot shrunk by 3mm, CT of torso clear/pelvis spot stable
June'09~ new 3-4mm left cerrebellar spot zapped with IMRT targeted rads
Sept'09~ new 6mm & 1 cm spots in pituitary/optic chiasm area. Rx= 25 days of 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the tumors.
Oct'09~ 25 days of low dose 3D conformal fractionated targeted IMRT to the bone mets spot on rt. iliac crest that have been watching for 2 years. Added daily Aromasin back into treatment regimen.
Apr'10~ Brain MRI clear! But, see new small spot on adrenal gland. Change from Aromasin back to Tamoxifen.
June'10~ Tumor markers (CA15.3) dropped from 37 to 23 after one month on Tamoxifen. Continue to monitor adrenal gland spot. Remain on Tykerb/Herceptin/Tamoxifen.
Nov'10~ Radiate positive mediastinal node that was pressing on recurrent laryngeal nerve, causing paralyzed larynx and a funny voice.
Jan'11~ MRI shows possible activity or perhaps just scar tissue/necrotic increase on 3 previously treated brain spots and a pituitary spot. 5 days of IMRT on 4 spots.
Feb'11~ Enrolled in T-DM1 EAP in Denver, first treatment March 25, 2011.
Mar'11~ Finally started T-DM1 EAP in Denver at Rocky Mountain Cancer Center/Rose on Mar. 25... hallelujah.
"I would rather be anecdotally alive than statistically dead."
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08-16-2007, 05:47 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 1,516
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Chelee...
my thoughts and prayers are with you. BIGGGG huggs to you.
Rhonda
__________________
Rhonda
Dx 2/1/05, Stage 1, 0 nodes, Grade 3, ER/PR-, HER2+ (3.16 Fish)
2/7/05, Partial Mastectomy
5/18/05 Finished 6 rounds of dose dense TEC (Taxotere, Epirubicin and Cytoxan)
8/1/05 Finished 33 rads
8/18/05 Started Herceptin, every 3 weeks for a year (last one 8/10/06)
2/1/13...8 year Cancerversary and I am "perfect" (at least where cancer is concerned;)
" And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."- Abraham Lincoln
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08-16-2007, 05:55 PM
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#6
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Founder - HER2 Support Group
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 361
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My Mom passed away from metastatic bc in October 1989, eight months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Mom and I were more like sisters. My dad had died from a heart attack when I was 14 and we both used each other for support through the hard times. She saw me through college and graduate school.
In all likelyhood my Mom was also HER2 positive, but back in 1989 there was nothing available.
Hugs
Christine
__________________
1990, July DX 1.1cm er-, pr-
Lumpectomy, 5U4, radiation
1999, June mets to chest and brain
HER2 3+++, er- pr-
AC, Taxol, Herceptin, Gamma Knife (3 treatments) WBR
NED July 2001
December 2001 - Founded HER2 Support Group
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08-16-2007, 06:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lumberton, Mississippi
Posts: 118
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I am so sorry to hear the news about your Mom. My heart goes out to you. I will be praying that God gives you peace and strength.
Love and Hugs,
Linda
S. Mississippi
__________________
Diagnosed 12/23/04
Biopsy 12/28/04
Lumpectomy 1/04/05
IDC, ER-PR-, HER2Neu+++
7mm tumor, Stage 1, Grade 3
6 CAF's
38 Rads
Finished 10/05
"Worry looks around. Sorry looks back. Faith looks up."
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08-16-2007, 06:47 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 951
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Dear Chelee,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. You have been through so much with the difficulties of receiving adequate medical care. I didn't realize that your mother was so ill.
Thinking of you,
Barbara H.
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08-16-2007, 06:50 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
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Oh Chelee, I'm so sorry that you have lost your mom. She's in God's hands now, breathing well and safe. But nothing hurts like losing your mom. Just know that we all care and send comfort and love to you at such a difficult time. ma
__________________
MA in TX.
Grateful for each and every day....
Diag. 12/05 at age 60
Stage II, Grade 3, 4.5 cm primary tumor
ER/PR- Her2 +3 strongly positive
Her2 by FISH 7.7 amplified
vascular invasion
Ki67 20% borderline
Jan - March '06 Taxotere/Adriamycin X 3 to try to shrink tumor - it grew
April '06 Rt Modified Radical Mas, 7 of 9 nodes positive
April - Aug. '06 Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin X 8 (dose dense)
Sept - Dec. '06 Navelbine/Herceptin x 8 (dose dense)
Radiation & Herceptin Jan. 22 - March 1, 2007
Finished Herceptin Dec. 10 '08! One extra year.
Port removed August, 2012.
8 1/2 years since diagnosis! 5 1/2 Years NED!
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08-16-2007, 06:59 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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I know you feel lost but you are never alone.......
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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08-16-2007, 07:04 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 589
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Chelee,
My thoughts are with you. My wife Caryn is also fighting stage 4 bc while her mom is battling stage 4 lung cancer. Your not alone and their are so many wonderful people here that will do whatever we can to help you through this.
Eric
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08-16-2007, 07:13 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Dear Chelee
I am so sorry about the loss of your dear mother. My thoughts are with you and my arms are around you.
Love to you
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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08-16-2007, 07:31 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 492
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Chelee,
So sorry to hear about losing your mom. She was blessed in life, having such a special relationship with her daughter. She will be with you in your heart.
__________________
Are we there yet?
Dx 10/05 IDC, multi-focal, triple +, 5 nodes+
MRM, 4 DD A/C, 12 weekly taxol + herceptin
rads concurrent with taxol/herceptin
finished herceptin 01/08
ooph, Arimidex, bilateral DIEP reconstruction
NED
Univ. of WA, Seattle vaccine trial '07
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08-16-2007, 07:36 PM
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#14
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Guest
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Chelee,
So very sorry about your mother. Your biggest comfort will be knowing you did everything you could for her. My thoughts are with you.
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08-16-2007, 07:48 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern California
Posts: 764
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So sorry for your loss. She is safe now.
God Bless
__________________
DX 02/01/07
2.5 cm, Er/Pr-, Her2+++
18/20 Nodes
03/07 CT & Bone scan - Clear
AC x 4, Taxol x 4, Added Herceptin
Radiation until 09/07
Herceptin every 3 weeks until 06/08
01/10/08 local recurrence -IBC
01/28/08 CT & Brain MRI - clear
02/08 - Navelbine & Herceptin
05/08 -MRM
05/08 - Gemzar & Herceptin - didn't work
09/08 - Hyperthermia rads
03/09 - Tykerb/Xeloda
05/10 - Tram flap to fix wound
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08-16-2007, 07:57 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 823
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Chelee my thoughts and prayers go out to you on the loss of your Mom.
I know how difficult this is. I lost my Mom 14 yrs ago,to cancer as well. She was only 58 years old.
Just know that she is no longer in pain and she will always be looking after you.
Sending you lot's of cyber (((((((((HUG'S)))))))))
__________________
Vicki
Texas
Biopsy Dx'd 3-23-05 Age 48
MRM 4-5-05 w/ 2 tumor's 5cm, and 6 cm (right side)
IDC (poorly differentiated infiltrating ductual carcinoma)
5+/16 nodes
Stage III A
Grade 3
ER/PR-, Her2/neu ++
Ki67 78%
Begin Chemo 5-2-05 4XAC Dose Dense , 4X Abraxane Dose Dense (ended August 05)
28 Rad's ended October 13 2005
Started Herceptin Weekly August 2005 for one year
Had a Simple mastectomy left side after Mamo showed incresed micro-calcifications. Jan. 17 2006.
Brain MRI Feb.2006--All Clear
August 28, 2006 Last Weekly Herceptin.
October 2006--Colonoscopy, 6 Polyp's removed--all B9
PET Scan July 2007
Abdominal MRI Oct. 2007---2 Right Kidney Cysts
Core Biopsy-- Lump on Scar Line 1-10-08---B9
Brain MRI 6-2008--All Clear
PET/CT Scan 6-2008
Sept. 8 2008, 4CM area removed from mastectomy scar line. Proved to be B9.
PET/CT Scan-- July 2009 --All clear
August 17,2009 ---Had Port Removed
6 Years NED -- April 5,2011
DX'd with Melanoma left arm 10-10-2011
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08-16-2007, 08:01 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 144
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Please know that she will always be with you in all that you do. She can rest now, as so should you.
Take care of yourself and grieve until you are done.
Peace be with you,
Emelie
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08-16-2007, 08:33 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 38
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How blessed you and your Mom were to have such a special relationship. She will live on in your heart. I too, lost my Mom to lung cancer 13 years ago. Hopefully your memories will comfort you and ease your pain.
Susan C.
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08-16-2007, 08:35 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Northern Calif.
Posts: 981
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Dear Chelee,
Please accept my deepest sympathy. I am sorry that your mom has passed away. Please know that I am thinking of you.
Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi
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08-16-2007, 08:36 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 624
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I am so sorry about the loss of your mother. She was fortunate to have a daughter like you, as you were fortunate to have a mother like her. Although you will always grieve for her, time will lessen the pain. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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