Even more sad news

[tricia keegan]

I posted earlier in the week about my friend Darra passing suddenly from liver mets. Today I was told Carol H passed yesterday very peacefully, she simply took a nap and did'nt wake up.
Carol had a long painful struggle the past couple of years with cancer since she moved her family here to Ireland from Scotland,I met her here on the her2 site when she asked for help and info on treatments available.
I was lucky to have met her a few times since then,the last time about two months ago when she was in the hospital. She knew then time was running out for her but never gave up fighting. Her husband told me she was happy to go knowing she had achieved her wish, to have her young children settled here with family support before she died.
Carol was the strongest and bravest person I've ever met and I'll miss her.
This is the link to her own story for anyone who would like to read about her, her fighting spirit shows in every word.
http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=23076
Thank you for all the support and information I received from everyone here which I was able to pass on to Carol, I know she loved you all and hated being away from the site herself when she was too ill to type.

[kcherub]

I simply HATE this week.

[tricia keegan]

Me too Krista, can't remember a sadder one:(

[Believe51]

I agree this has been a very hard week, the news has kept me almost silent as I pray for our Sisters in need. I also pray for all of us whom are left here to pick up the pieces and go on in our own struggles.

Tricia, I am so sorry for you as your weeks have been so hard also. You have had a tough year yourself as you keep us posted on our Warriors. You have suffered such losses and I keep you in special prayers, you are one of my Angels yourself.

I remember Carol and her wishes and am so happy to know that she felt comforted achieving them before she went. Right now I am praying for peace and comfort for all those she left behind.

Another Angel looking over us>>Believe51

[tricia keegan]

Thank you, I know you were very kind to Carol and even offering to send Tykerb to her when she could'nt get it quickly enough here. She remarked what a generous and thoughtful person you must be to extend such generosity to someone you had never met. Thank you, and I know Carol will be saying a special prayer for you too. She lived about an hours drive from us and we'll be attending her funeral on Monday. I just feel so sad for her children who I know adored her. Such sad times this disease brings.

[Sheila]

Tricia
Thank you so much for posting about Carol...I went back and read her post you linked us to...seems like only yesterday she was moving to Ireland to be close to family...as I read down the post, I realized Shell and LuAnn who posted to her are also gone....we miss them all and this is so painful...but I know they are angels praying for us now, that a cure will come and end this loss of loved ones....please give her family my deepest sympathy....I am saddened. You remember to be strong Tricia...you have lost alot this week.

[caya]

What an awful week on the boards. And another young mother with young children are now going to be without their Mom.

Tricia, thank you for posting this news about Carol. It has been a tough week for you between your friend Darra and now Carol.

all the best
caya

[PinkGirl]

Tricia,
Thank you for letting us know. Carol H was such a strong
and determined woman. I know that she fought her hardest
to beat this crappy disease. I am so sorry that you have lost
two friends in such a short time.

[DonnaD]

Tricia,
Thank you for keeping us informed, as sad as the news is. My heart is breaking for Carol H's family. Losing two friends has got to be so hard for you. I am sure both were blessed to have you as a friend.

Let us all continue to pray for Darra and Carol's families as well peace, comfort and healing for Michelle H and Kate. We are a family and when one suffers we all suffer.

[Jackie07]

“April is the cruellest month of the year,” said T.S. Eliot at the beginning of “The Wasteland,” a poem describing our culture in the early 20<SUP>th</SUP> century. The first week of May seems to be equally cruel to us on the Her-2 Board.

My husband is a computer illiterate. So just in case I 'disappear' without notice one of these days, I want to say right here, right now, how I love y'all. After having evaded 'death' several times, I have long had the attitude that I am ready to go whenever God is ready to take me. But before then, I will try my best to survive, as it is about as good a witness as anything else I've done in my life.

And what joy to have company like you all to be on this journey together!

[swimangel72]

I am moved to tears by reading all this - the loss of such wonderful women - my heart is broken, and yet Jackie I smile reading the very words that were just in my own mind, "April is the cruellest month". You are so right - about being a "witness".....the way I hope I'm God's instrument, in some small way - to help others suffering more than I can possibly understand.

[Mary Jo]

Hi Tricia,

HUGE HUGS my friend. I'm so sorry for the week you've had.

Thank you for sharing that link with us. I went back and read it and was very moved. She sounded like a wonderful woman.

May God comfort you as you carry on..............

Mary Jo

[tricia keegan]

Friends, despite the sadness I feel at the loss of two good friends I'm comforted to be able to come here and share with those who understand and care so much. Thank you does'nt sound much but I really am thankful to each and every one of you who replied.
Monday will be difficult at Carols funeral, meeting her husband and watching her childrens sadness but I'm so glad I had the chance to help her and get to know her. Dying did'nt bother her and in some ways she was ready and tired of fighting but her biggest worry was leaving her children. Thankfully she was spared long enough to settle them here with family, she even encouraged them to stay with her sister in law at times to build up the relationship she knew would be so important when she left them. This really is a crappy disease and there are just no words to describe it's cruelty.
My prayers and thanks to everyone.

[Bill]

Tricia, I'm sorry to hear of your/our loss. Thanks for posting the link. She was an amazing woman, full of spirit. You and the families will be in my prayers.

[Mary Anne in TX]

Tricia, you've had to bring us very sad news twice this week. My heart breaks for you, for the families and also for our Her2 family. I remember reading Carols notes about moving and finding the right place for her children. What courage and love. God bless all. ma

[sassy]

Tricia,

Thank you for letting us know about Carol. I well remember her efforts to move and have her children well taken care of. She was such a strong, giving, loving person. I stand in awe at her courage.

Please know my thoughts and prayers are with Darra and Carol's families and with you during this difficult time.

[Soccermom]

Dear Tricia,
I too feel the profound sadness that must be in your heart right now. Losing two friends to this beast..so so sad. You are such a good and kind friend and we are blessed to have you among us. My prayers are with you and the families of these two warriors.
This week has indeed been cruel to many...
Gentle hugs across the miles,
Marcia

[Chelee]

I am so sorry to hear about Carol. I am at a loss for words. This month on this board has taken a toll on me. So much bad news and it just breaks my heart. I will keep Carol's family in my thoughts and prayers.

Chelee

[Becky]

Dear Tricia

This is the first post I make on all our sad news. I have not even had the will to cheer Kate on although of course I do.

I need to write to you and make sure you know I am thinking about you. What a difficult week for you. It's strange because it was a hard week for me - for those on the board and just general life (was hard for me this week). It is nature's will how things will go for each of us. Who knows why one does well and another does not do well. Don't dwell on this aspect of fate. Only God knows what our outcome is. We can just try to do what we think is right (with lifestyle changes and what not). Even that is not a guarantee to what we should do or not do.

The only right thing is to be there for each other, no matter what! One foot in front of the other every day and when you can't, we will do it for you.

No matter how bad my week was (work wise etc) it can never compare to losing 2 friends within days of each other. They are asking God to protect you and are watching over you now. Keep the faith Tricia. Hold onto it because it will serve you well your whole long life.

[Gerri]

Tricia,

This is all so sad. My thoughts are with you and the families.

All my best,

[Yorkiegirl]

Tricia,
I am so saddened to hear of Carol H. passing. It is always so hard, even when we know they how sick they are and that we expecting it, but damn it it so hard.

Please let her family know they are in my prayers.
You are in my prayers as well. I know it has been hard on you this week.
Thank you for being there for Carol.

[Unregistered]

My condolences. Tricia. I remember Carol's story. Thank you for being such a good friend to her. Bev

[tricia keegan]

You're all wonderful amazing people thank you..thank you too Becky and I hope next week is a better and happier one for all of us.
Despite the horror of losing two beautiful young women to this disease this week I know we must and will find the strength and courage to continue supporting each other through our own particular journeys and believe there will be an end to this horrorible awful disease some day.
As always I'll be thinking and praying for all of us, hoping we get good news rather than bad from our sisters and brothers in treatments and going through their own battles right now.

((((hugs)))))

[dhealey]

Tricia

I am truley soory for your losses this week. I hate this disease. They say they are making strides with breast cancer, but we still keep losing these beautiful women. My heart goes out to you.

[Jean]

Dear Tricia,
I am so sorry that you have had such a painful week. It has been a difficult week - I remember Carol very well and her happiness in moving her family - she was a loving and devoted mother. I am saddened to hear of her passing. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Regards,
Jean

[chrisy]

Tricia, thank you for sharing this sad news. You've been a good friend to Carol; I remember when you met through the Her2support board. Carol was indeed a fighter...

[Unregistered]

Chrisy thank you, and remember you played a big part in making this move possible for Carol by sending me a pm to alert me to her plea for help on Ireland/herceptin.
I know the members here, and the her2 site in general made her last couple of years so much easier to bear knowing her children and hubby would be taken care of.
I have to leave in a moment to drive into the country for her funeral but just wanted to say a quick thank you again to all of you wonderful caring people:)

[tricia keegan]

Sorry Chrisy, that message was from me but I forgot to log in first!