Brenda

[Jeanette]

Just read , we have a new Angel to watch over us. Our dear Brenda, went to heaven., Jeanette

[Becky]

Oh I am so sad. Many tears and no words.

[StephN]

This photo of Brenda taken just last December at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is her to a "T."

She was on top of her disease then and taking in all the updated and new science in her steel trap mind. Her inate joy of life is clear here. I will miss you.

[KDR]

Goodbye for now, Brenda.
XOXO
Karen

[alicem]

I'm so glad I was able to say goodbye to her in the hospital today before she passed away.

I brought her the love from all of you, her HER2 Family, and gave it to her by holding her hand, stroking her face and giving her one last hug. May it bring you comfort to know that she was not in any pain, and was sleeping deeply, and peacefully for that last day or so.

She loved life, and fought hard for every breath. Brenda was her own advocate and always tried to do what was best for her treatment. I'm sharing this photo that was taken of our group in San Antonio last December. Note that she was on the phone - either trying to check on the TDM-1 trial, or checking on what to do with an old spot that had shown up at the base of her brain.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Eam3K8D-Ftk/UGdkLscsP5I/AAAAAAAAEXA/P3-rW6ARCyA/w277-h207-n-k/IMG_0256%2B%2528320x240%2529.jpg

I hope you don't mind, but I think Brenda would appreciate me using one of her well known phrases right now. This is CRAP ON A CRAPSTICK! Actually, it is worse than that. Words can not express how we are all feeling now. In addition to praying for Brenda and all of her loved ones, I ask you to pray for our nation's scientists and researchers. They CANNOT find the solution and the cure fast enough. It needed to be found yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that . . . .

I know that Joe Druther, founder of this forum, was in front of the line, waiting to welcome her and share a few jokes and laughs.

I loved you like a sister my friend, god speed.

[Mandamoo]

Goodbye Brenda - thank you for your wit, courage, love and support here.
May your soul be at peace.
A x

[Pray]

May perpetual light shine upon her! Gods blessings to her family and friends.

[Ceesun]

AliceM and Steph....you express yourselves so well....thank you for sharing. I only knew her from a few posts we shared about tykerb and herceptin and she was so informative. To me, Brenda seemed almost invincible against this disease.....she gave us a lot of hope..........and guts. I respected and admired that she always seemed to have a plan. Rest now, Brenda, and may you shine in God's Glory. Ceesun

[Andrea Barnett Budin]

I just read the news, as I've been checking in with the Caring Bridge site her family formed to keep us up to date and let us share our thoughts (thanks Chrisy for passing that on).

I'd somehow relinquished my never-give-up attitude when I was forced to see Brenda was headed home. In my heart, I had to let her go.

I ran to you Ladies straight away! Right into your arms... We must move forward as Brenda would insist, with grace and courage, grit and wit (as Steph so spot on expressed it).

May she be at peace and reunited with all she loved and had to let go in this lifetime. They're all there for her now.

What a beautiful Spirit Brenda is! And, I believe, still is, as I just know as our body dies, we are released as the radiant Souls we truly are. This is not the end of Brenda's story! Brenda still is, and that gives me a muted joy for now...

[chrisy]

I've shed so many tears over Brenda and her family, including us this week. Too much to bear. Reading this morning's post on caringbridge I shed more tears, but sort of good ones. Brenda's gone home, and will be watching over all of us, making sure we stay strong and keep loving each other. She's at peace as far as this life, and this battle is concerned.

But I'll bet y'all she is kicking up a storm with Joe and all her other Her2 sisters and brothers up there.

God bless you, Brenda. My life is so changed because of you.

ps - I had a post for your tribute thread and my ipad lost it. I know you understand.

Love,
Chris

[alicem]

Oh Chrisy, thanks for giving me a smile today! Brenda would of course understand!

[sassy]

You know, there are things in this life that are just hard to believe, and this is one of them.

But you guys are right, I bet Joe was standing there waiting for Brenda with a big laugh and a hug! Brenda always seemed larger than life--which she surely is now. But she will continue to be a large part of many of our lives.

With love,

[Yorkiegirl]

My heart is very heavy reading of this news of Brenda. She will continue to be a bright shinning light.
Many prayers going out to her family.

[caya]

Very sad about Brenda's passing. This disease sure is Crap on a Crapstick!

Tomorrow in Canada we have the annual CIBC Run for the Cure - the biggest one day Breast Cancer Run/Walk from coast to coast. I will be dedicating my walk tomorrow to Brenda, and will write her name on the memory wall.

all the best
caya

[Mary Jo]

We stand together, us...sisters......grieving the loss of one of "ours!"

Thank you Brenda, for giving a little bit of yourself to each of us.

Mary Jo

[karen z]

Steph,
The picture is perfect. It does fit Brenda's personality to a "T" and is how I remember her last year. Rhonda, this is one of those things that is very difficult to believe. Brenda was so joyful at SABCS less than one year ago (and, yes, larger than life and so in charge). Glad you were with Brenda today Alice. It helps to know that and that she was resting deeply. With much love, k

[ElaineM]

Rest well Angel Brenda. May God comfort her family.

[yanyan]

I just can't believe it happened so fast! Brenda was such a kind lady! She will be deeply missed! May you rest in peace,Brenda!

[harrie]

Aloha Brenda, you are loved, you gave so much and you will be missed.

[michka]

I am so sad. It is so difficult to accept. I never met Brenda but all these years I loved her posts, I loved her spirit. She was always there for me. My words are not strong enough to express the sadness in my heart.
My thoughts go to her family and friends.
Michka

"CRAP ON A CRAPSTICK!"

[SoCalGal]

crap on a crapstick...will never forget that expression, nor Brenda, a woman of such strength and determination. And courage. We shared the same birthday, this year I'll light a candle for her, too. i am so saddened by this loss...

[jml]

Oh Brenda, I am so sorry and so sad to have to say goodbye to you.
You have guided me through this journey with your incredible tenacity, wit, knowledge and pragamatic passion. What a blessing it was to meet you last December @SABCS and the share a chat or two, agreeing that we "don't want to die sick".
I know you left us in peace and comfort and that helps my heart rest a little quieter, but still aches at the thought of your absence.
I've always turned to you and your posts first and have followed your examples of enduring and surviving so many different regimens, I will fee lost for the time being. But I have our sister warriors to conitnue to lean on, what a gift that is.
We will miss you terribly my sweet friend.

"A Luminous light remains where a Beautiful Soul has passed."
Antoine Boveau

Aloha ke akua~

Jessica

[Ellie F]

I am again so upset. Was devastated when we lost our Courtney and now Brenda to this disease. When my herceptin was stopped by my first onc Brenda and Steph supported me to fight on to get it back. I am truly blessed to have known her and also to belong to a group that holds us together in our struggle with bc.

Alice- just wanted to say thank you for taking our love and care to Brenda and her family.

Sometimes it's difficult being so far away across the pond but in spirit you are all truly my sisters.

Ellie

[RhondaH]

Thoughts and prayers to Brenda and her family...

[Mary Anne in TX]

Already I ask myself, what would Brenda do? Powerful, determined, onry, fun, and an incredible role model. Missed, but never forgotten girl!

[Ruth]

So sorry to read this news - we have another angel watching over everyone.

[NEDenise]

I'm so happy our dear Brenda has found peace...
but so sad for myself and all those who love her.

Denise

[Patb]

I am so sad and mad. Six years on this board and
all the wonderful people we have lost. Please someone
find a cure. I am praying for Brendas family, what
a loss.
patb

[roz123]

the love and support of the ladies here amazes me everyday
i am fairly new on the boards but did read many of her posts. She was so knowledgeable and supporting of others
Prayers for her family and those who had a special connection with her....such a a loss

[tricia keegan]

Sleep with the Angels Brenda and we'll miss you here, Slainte! xx

[Gerri]

You fought so hard Brenda and now you are at peace. Thank you for your love, your insight and the example you showed all of us on how to rage war against this horrid disease. Such a loss for us and those that loved you.

[Pamelamary]

So much sad news - but Brenda has been an inspiration to us all. My heart goes out to her family and friends.

[Paty]

For always in our hearts Brenda!! RIP.

[Joanne S]

Rest in Peace Sweet Brenda!

[sarah]

This is very sad and so quick. She definitely gave a lot to all of us and we will miss her posts, wit and courage.
My deepest sympathy goes out to her family and friends.
Damn disease.
hugs and love
sarah

[Paula O]

Brenda's obituary is running in today's Austin American-Statesman. It is also online at:


http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?n=brenda-kay-hutchison&pid=160236355

[KsGal]

Im so sorry to hear that Brenda has moved on. :( I send my very deepest, heartfelt sympathies to her family, including everyone here. Many prayers....this disease has to be stopped.

[Bunty]

I just read Brenda's obituary that Paula posted above - so very true in that it mentions the support and mentoring that Brenda gave others particularly at Her2support.org How blessed are we to have received it?! RIP Brenda...
Marie

[Pam P]

aai will miss your posts and wisdom Brenda.

[adelay]

So sad to read this,may she now be at peace.

[Soccermom]

I am saddened beyond words tonight.. My heartfelt condolences to Brenda's family and friends..
Much love to all my Her2 sisters .

Rest in Peace dear Brenda.

[Catherine]

I am so sad to learn that Brenda is gone from our sight. What a wonderful, spunky, smart lady she was. I so enjoyed her posts and the way she supported all of us. I am so sorry that this beast took her from her family and friends. Crap on a crapstick says it all.

Praying for a cure and less pain for everyone,
Catherine

[suzan w]

very hard to believe that Brenda is "gone"...will miss her posts. See ya later, friend!

[tricia keegan]

Sad news:(

[Paula O]

Copied and pasted from Brenda's Caring Bridge site:

If anyone is unable to make it to Brenda's memorial service, you don't have to miss out! It will be streamed: After 4:15pm (CDT) Sat., Oct. 6th, just click on this link and choose mp3.
http://n8ivg8way.org:8000/

[Jean]

I am so sad and angry at that same time.
Brenda as many of us know was a very strong and positive young lady. I had met Brenda out in SABCS
and I was so impressed with her and her strength.

This is a really sad time for us.
As Brenda would say, "this is crap on a crap stick"
We need a cure.