A Bittersweet Day / Treatment #2

[Sheila]

It was a bittersweet day today for me, going to Chicago for Treatment #2...just Taxol today, I am just coming out of my drug high...the benedryl / decadron kicks my but. My scalp is tingling all over...could be my hair ready to take the jump. GOOD NEWS, THE NODES ARE SHRINKING ALREADY!!!!
The most pleasant surprise when I met up with Donna D from Crystal Lake (and her wonderful husband) in the chemo waiting room....(US HER2 GALS KNOW HOW TO PICK A SWANK PLACE!) ....joined together in an illness we didn't want, and can't control, I have found and met the most spectacular women, friends and support system....& Donna is one of them! Without this disease, I would have never met others from this group who have sustained me many times over the 5 years...I am blessed!
In sadness today, I returned home to get the phone call that my best friend passed away this morning, ironically while I was getting my chemo....she fought so hard, I was so happy that I felt well enough to spend the last couple days with her...I knew it would be a few days after my treatment until I felt up to driving back. I have a void in my life that will take time to fill...but I know that she is not in pain and so with me in spirit on my journey. She went with such dignity (although she did get upset with me yesterday when i wanted to clean her teeth, which I did every time I went there to see her)! It was a standing line between us, you don't know who or whose butt you may have to kiss today, so brush up. Thank you all for all your prayers....they have given me hope and love during the process of losing "my best friend to cancer," Mary Jo, at age 55.

[Vanessa]

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I hope she passed peacefully. I am also glad that you were able to meet up with a new friend. Best wishes to you. I will be praying for you and your friend's family.

[KellyA]

Dear Sheila,

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. What a difficult time this must be for you. I think God sends angels to help us all during difficult times and it sounds like Donna was sent to you to brighten your day. I am sure that you brightened hers as well :-). I will keep you in my prayers- hang in there- it sounds like the chemo is doing its job!

Love, Kelly

[Adriana Mangus]

Sheila:

Glad to hear such good news!!

After just two treatments your doctor ordered a tumor marker test?
I'm impressed. I'm just guessing, is there any other way to find out whether the treatment is working?

Take care,

[Karen Weixel]

Dear Sheila,

I am so sorry about your friend Mary Jo. You will both be in my prayers.

Hugs,

Karen

[DonnaD]

Dear Sheila,
I am so sorry to hear about Mary Jo's death. You knew it would be soon, and I know how much you will miss her.

The pleasure was mine dear friend today. Can I actually be looking forward to going to Rush in 3 weeks. Yep, cuz I know we will see each other. My husband really enjoyed talking with your husband. Blessings come in the strangest ways and I count you as one.

You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers as well as Mary Jo's family.

Love,
Donna

[Chelee]

Shelia, I am so very sorry about the loss of your friend Mary. I know through your other posts how much she meant to you. I am at a loss for words. My heart goes out to you. Please accept my deepest sympathy.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Chelee

[nitewind]

Sheila, I'm so sorry to hear the news about your friend, I know that you were very close.
But, glad to hear that the nodes are shrinking already!
Keeping you and Mary Jos family in my prayers

[tousled1]

Sheila,

My sincere condolences to you in the loss of your best friend. I too lost a dear friend yesterday so I understand what you are going through. The good news, is that both of them are in a better place now. Also, great news that your treatments are already showing improvement. Keep up the good work! Also congrats on meeting a new friend.

[Mary Jo]

Hi Sheila,

I'm so sorry that you had to come home to the phone call about your friend's passing. Even when it's expected, news such as that is never heard without a gasp and a bit of shock. For her sake, yes, thank God it is over. Her pain is over and her spirit lives on in joy, peace and eternal rest. For the survivors, even though we too want their suffering to end, the emptiness and void it leaves is hard to adjust too.

I pray peace for you and her family.

With love and happiness for you dear friend that the nodes are getting smaller.

Hugs,

Mary Jo

[lexigirl]

Sheila,

I am sorry to read that you lost your dear friend. I am happy that you were able to spend time with her and that she is no longer suffering. She is in a much happier place I am sure.

That is so great that you are already showing a responce to your tx! That is terrific! You will be back to NED soon!

Hugs,
Lexi

[Liz J.]

Dear Shiela,

Please accept my sympathy on the loss of your best friend. I can relate to your noting how she reacted to your trying to clean her mouth yesterday. I do recall your saying how you would do this for her all the time. I have experienced similar situations with both my Dad and an Aunt just before they passed on. I almost believe they know they are leaving and sort of want us to get PO'd at them or something so that maybe we won't hurt as bad. Of course, this is just my reasoning, but I have listened to many people who have had these experiences. The old expression (you always hurt the one you love) could apply. I don't mean to upset you with this. I hope this will make you feel better. They sort of try to push us away in the hopes it will ease things for us. Just know that she appreciated everything you did for her and she is looking down on you as your treatments continue. I am thankful that your nodes are shrinking.

Stay strong,

With love,

Liz J.

[rinaina]

Sheila, please accept my heartfelt sympathy and condolences. I know how close you were to your dearly departed friend and I am at least relieved to know that she is not suffering and went peacefully and not in pain. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time in your life. Glad to hear about the nodes. I continue to pray for you to have excellent results from this treatment. Amen to all you said about the wonderful women on here who have become friends and how cool that you and Donna met up....but next time do it at a more desirable location, will ya!

[Sheila]

Thank you all for all the thoughts and prayers....I am so very happy and lucky to have had her as a best friend for 40 years in my life....and although there is a void, I don't have to watch her suffer.....

[kimber]

Sheila - Bittersweet does say it all. Mary Jo is finally free from the suffering.

I am so happy, no, make that estatic about your response to treatment!!!!! Your strength and attitude really does inspire me.

You go girl! -kim

[Joy]

just more thoughts coming your way. I'm so very sorry Sheila.

I'm very happy about the shrinking nodes. Keep up the great work!

[Shell]

Sheila-

Thank you for sharing about your friend, and your aptly named title, also sharing with us the progress you are making. You are in our thoughts and prayers...

Regards,

[Believe51]

I had wrote a post to you that was missing the day we upgraded the site and I could never find the beautiful words I had expressed. All I know is that the night before you mentioned your friend, I had been at a close friends airport hanger. As I stared into the sky and watched the amazing quiet despite the chaos of thousands of lights in the background, warm thoughts flooded my mind about you. You end up in my mind quite frequently. At the time I had no idea about your friend. I have never ever heard it so quiet there before and I would like to think the evening was made just for me!!

I took that quiet for an oppurtunity to pay a peaceful tribute to my friends here. The next morning I found out about your sweet friend and have keep her and her family in my heart and prayers. Know that you are in my husbands and my prayers always. Your friendship is priceless and I am so blessed to be able to learn from you about things that go beyond breast cancer. You are an amazing person!!

Sorry this post still does not say what the original one did. Just updated this with my sincerest sympathies. If you need anything, just beckon, I am right here always. Sending you bigs hugs and love your way, hope you can catch!!..>Waiting For A Miracle>..Believe51..(Marie G)

[atdec05]

Dear Sheila,

I am sorry to hear about the passing of your friend Mary Jo. I have to believe she is by your side helping you shrink those tumors away. That's fabulous news that after only 2 treatments the Taxol is working.

take care,
Anna

[kacey]

Sheila, Just wanted to say how sorry I am about Mary Jo. She was such a dear friend of yours, but now she is at pece and no longer suffering. I'm glad you got to spend the previous days with her.

Yea to your shrinking nodes!!Evidently you have the right tx.
God Bless and prayers going your way for you and your friends family.

Kacey

[Lolly]

Sheila, I feel your loss, but also understand the comfort it brings to know that Mary Jo is no longer in pain. It really is bittersweet, but at least you made the time to be with her as much as you could. No regrets.

Big Hugs, Lolly

[tricia keegan]

Sheila I too want to pass on my condolences to you. It certainly was a bittersweet day and I know Mary jo would have been thrilled to hear your tx is working already. My best wishes to you and sympathy on the loss of such a good friend.

[Jean]

Dear Shiels,
The news of your friend Mary Jo passing was very sad. I have kept her and you in my prayers. Both you and Mary Jo were so lucky to have each
other for so many wonderful years.

Prayers are being answered that your treatment is working!
So happy for you...

God Bless,
Jean

[Becky]

Sheila

I am so sorry about the loss of your long time (high school - if I remember right) girlfriend. Your angel girl will watch over you now while the taxol continues to shrink your nodes into oblivion. I think of you every day.

Love and hugs to you

[chrisy]

Sheila,
bittersweet indeed - your friend losing her long fight just as you are taking it up again yourself. I know she is smiling at your good news already (the shrinking nodes, not the tingling hair). I know you will miss her terribly, but she still lives in your memory.

Take care
Chris

[Catherine]

Dear Shelia,

I am so sorry that you lost your dear friend Mary Jo. This is the sad part of our disease. We have so many joys, when things go well and then the sadness when time comes to an end. I am attending a "celebration of life" party this Sunday. My friend, Emily, has been fighting pancreatic cancer for 18 months. She and her family sent out very sweet invitations. The last words on the invititation were "we think God has new plans for Emily's future." So I hope that God has a special plan and place for your dear friend Mary Jo.

Good news on the shrinking nodes.

All the best, Catherine

[Caroline UK]

I am so sorry for your loss. Isn't it funny how things work out, that you were well enough to spend those couple of days with her. How precious that time will be for you now, and how lovely that you have that to comfort you in these painful days.

I'm so thrilled that your treatment is having such a fast effect, you must be over the moon, and long may it continue.

You are very much in my thoughts.

Love to you at this sad time

[ExpectAMiracle]

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Sometimes God takes us from the disease, as He did with her. But you and she were blessed to have 40 years of wonderful friendship. I'm sure she is still in your corner, pulling for you and for the shrinking of those nodes. Stay strong and keep inspiring all of us with your strength, courage and wisdom.

[Cheryl44]

Dear Sheila:

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, Mary Jo. I will be praying for you and her family.

I am so pleased that your nodes are already shrinking. Thank you for posting answers to my questions in the past, it is greatly appreciated.

Hugs to you,
Cheryl

[Ceesun]

Sheila, My sympathies to you for losing your pal for life. They are so special, I know. I wish I could offer more, I have tears in my eyes right now. You are quite a lady-I hope this treatment gives you NED. Fondly Cathy aka Ceesun

[Ceesun]

Sheila, My sympathies to you for losing your pal for life. They are so special, I know. I wish I could offer more, I have tears in my eyes right now. You are quite a lady-I hope this treatment gives you NED. Fondly Cathy aka Ceesun

[Bev]

So sorry Sheila. Friends like that are irreplaceable. I'm so sorry for all who were lost and hope they can find something to prevent this death and sorrow from cancer.

I am very glad that it seems like your new tx is working. Hang in there. Bev

[MarieJZ]

sheila, you have the love and sympathy of all of us- who are dealing with issues which keep the importance of life,love and friends constantly at the forefront. i have for a while now thought of you as a friend because of the posts you share with us here. you have more friends than you know who are sad for your loss.

[Soccermom]

Sheila,
I am truly sorry for the loss of your dear friend Mary Jo.My heart goes out to you and her family.
Great news on the node shrinkage,its probably corny but I like to think that my friends who have passed to BC are looking out for me. Perhaps MJ is watching over you?

Many sincere hugs,Marcia

[suzan w]

so sorry to hear about your friend...I can just see the two of you and the teeth cleaning ritual! Oh, the things we do for those we love!!!