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05-10-2007, 06:58 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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A Very Sad Time For Me
I have spent 3 days this week with my best friend for the last 40 years...we met the first day of high school and have been very close since.she was diagnosed 1/07 with lung cancer with mets to the brain. She went through 2 rounds of chemo, gamma knife, and just finished radiation...she was looking forward to getting some normalcy back in her life. She went in for repeat scans a week ago and found out that she now has mets to the kidney, spine, colon, liver....just everywhere. She has gone downhill so fast since then, and is now in the hospital on O2, Morphine and Zofran as she keeps throwing up...can't eat, her body is shutting down. I hugged her, spent time with her and fought back tears all 3 times....she told me "we must have done something really bad when we were in high school for both of us to end up with cancer!" She was there for me when I was diagnosed and has been there for me even when she was first diagnosed. I am just having a hard time dealing with the fact that 5 mos. ago, she seemed fine, and now they are saying she will be lucky to last a couple weeks....I have cried so many times the past week....I am not ready to lose my best friend! Please say a prayer for her that if she can't get well, at least she won't suffer. She seemed in so much pain ....this is just tearing me apart.
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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05-10-2007, 07:06 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Posts: 301
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Sheila,
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. She sounds very special and you are very lucky to have someone like her in your life. She is very blessed to have you as well. I can't imagine what it would feel like to see someone that close to me suffer so- She is definitely in my prayers tonight-that she will respond to some sort of treatment, be sent many angels from above (she already has you), and that she will not suffer. You are in my prayers as well- that you are comforted in this sad and stressful time, that you share precious moments with your lifelong friend, and that you are given strength to stand tall.
Love, Kelly
__________________
dx'd 05/06, 37 years old
er/pr-, Her2+, grade 3
double mastectomy, immediate reconstruction- implants
Stage 2b, 2 tumors- 2.2 cm and 0.6 cm, 3/5 + nodes
all scans clear
genetic testing- negative
06/06 began dd A/C x 4, 12 weekly Taxols w/ Herceptin
30 rads
Herceptin weekly x 1 year
Herceptin completed 08/07
Port removed 12/26/07 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!
05/17/08 Two year anniversary NED
"We gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... you must do the thing that you think you cannot do."
-Eleanor Roosevelt
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05-10-2007, 07:11 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
Posts: 546
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oh Sheila
I have big tears and true heart ache for you and your wonderful friend. I have very long term friends and I know just how much they mean. I'm so so so very sorry that this is happening. I want to fly to Illinois and be with you. Not sure I can really do that, but I AM HERE and I LOVE YOU and who didn't do bad stuff in high school?
__________________
with love and gratitude,
joy
dx stage I 2/2000*er/pr+; her- per IHC*lumpectomy*4 rounds A/C*30 rads*tamoxifen*dx stage 4 5/2002*huge mets to liver*tiny mets to lungs*stopped tamoxifen*5/02 taxotere/xeloda*her 2 checked with FiSH-her2+++herceptin *2/03 stopped chemo femara w/herceptin*zolodex*04 switched to aromasin w/herceptin*05 high estrogen tx*11/05taxol/carbo*7/06 stopped chemo; megace/herceptin*9/06navelbine/herceptin*5/07tykerb/xeloda great response*4/08 progression in liver; ooph/ faslodex /herceptin
6/08 began Herceptin DM-1
9/08 progression
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05-10-2007, 07:13 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
Posts: 279
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sorry Sheila - I know how painful it is to see someone you love die of lung cancer. Praying for you - don't know what else I can do. She is really fortunate to have you!
__________________
Kim
Diagnosed 7/05
Stage 3a er+(45%) pr+(68%) Her2+ (40%)
3.8 cm + .8cm multi focal - pleomorphic lobular tumors
high grade DCIS
7/20 nodes
BRCA 2 positive as of 5/07
surgeries: double mastectomy, hysterectomy (LAVH)
A/C,Herceptin for 1 year completed 11/06
femara
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05-10-2007, 07:14 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Newton, MA
Posts: 951
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This sounds so terrible, Shiela. I can't even imagine how awful you must feel to lose your best friend, and a friend who has also been such a support for you. My thoughts are with you and with her, and I do hope her caretakers can control her pain and nausea.
Best regards,
Barbara H.
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05-10-2007, 07:20 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 236
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Mom I am very sorry about your friend as I know how much she means to you. I pray ALL the time that they find a cure for cancer because I cannot bear the thought of losing you.
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05-10-2007, 07:44 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 138
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Dear Sheila,
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I will pray for peace and strength for both of you.
Karen
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05-10-2007, 07:48 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Southern, CA
Posts: 2,511
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Shelia, My heart breaks for you. I am going through almost the exact same thing except its my Mother that has went down hill what seems like overnight. (Lung cancer) I certainly have a good idea of how difficult this is for you. Your friend is so blessed to have you by her side...that truly is a blessing although I know that doesn't take away the pain of seeing your friend so ill. I know your heart is breaking. I wish there were something I could do for you. But the one thing I can do is pray for your friend.
Sending warm healing thoughts and "prayers" to both of you.
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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05-10-2007, 07:56 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Oh Sheila
I am so sorry about your friend. You told me all about her when we were in San Antonio together. Cancer is a nasty, nasty disease but it will never take away the love in your heart for your friend.
I am thinking of you and sending a big hug.
__________________
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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05-10-2007, 08:18 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,018
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Hard times
Sheila, as hard as it is, no one could mean as much to her in the same way as you are doing, and that may have to be the only thing to hang onto as you both go through this. I'm so sorry. You are one of the most caring people here, and it is very hard to have someone that close to you go through so much. I hope that her medical providers will find ways to help her to be more comfortable.
AlaskaAngel
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05-10-2007, 08:20 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,055
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Said a prayer for your friend and for you. I think someday we'll get rid of this ugly disease. Bev
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05-10-2007, 08:26 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: .
Posts: 211
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Dear Sheila
i am so sorry you are going through this. Your friend sounds so special and close to you. You must be great comfort to her.Its so unfair.
love
linda
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05-10-2007, 08:32 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Sheila, I'm holding you and your friend close in my thoughts and prayers, that her suffering will ease and you will be able to spend some more quality time together before she passes.
<3 Lolly
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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05-10-2007, 09:11 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 27
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Sheila, I am so sorry this is happening. I'm sending prayers and love to you and your friend. I am so glad that she and you have had this friendship.
Sometimes it's really hard to come on this board. Don't know how many times I have signed on and ended up either laughing or crying. I wish we could all do something more for you and her. I'll be thinking of you both.
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05-10-2007, 09:13 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Marengo, IL
Posts: 518
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Shelia,
I am so sorry. You and your best friend are in my thoughts and prayers. Find peace in knowing many are praying for you both.
Donna
__________________
Donna
Crystal Lake, IL
Diagnosed 8/4/06 at age 54
Lumpectomy 8/30/06
Stage llA, grade 3, ER/PR-, Her2++
1.7 cm tumor, 1+ lymph node out of 9
Completed 4 A/C, & 4 Taxol with Herceptin
36 rads completed 5/16/07
Mammograms, 7/07 clear
fractured ribs in radiated area 10/07
Finished Herceptin 12/27/07
Mammogram,CT,tumor markers 1/08 - small lung nodules in radiated area, repeated tests 3/08 stable
Mammogram,CT ,tumor markers 6/08 stable
NED 2 years!!
3 years !!!
4years!!!!
4 years, 10 months and 8 day NED, calling it 5 years!!!
Official 5 years 8/30/2011
8/31/ 2012 - 6 years!!!!!!
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05-10-2007, 09:57 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 715
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Dear Shelia,
I am so sorry about your dear high school friend. How can this disease be so sneaky, elusive and mean? Maybe we are all in the bad-girl high school club that we did not know that we joined. Or maybe it is true "that only the good die young."
What is most important is that your friend knows you are there for her. It seems impossible, like you say that 4-6 months ago she was fine. I, too, will pray for her and you. I am so sorry about your sadness at this sad time.
Hang in there the best you can, Catherine
__________________
Catherine
Found my own lump in the shower
April 2006 at the age of 58
Stage IIB, ER- PR- HER2+++ multi focal tumors, largest 2.3cm
Chemo first: AC/Taxol over 16 weeks
Bilateral mastectomy Sep 06
33 rads after the surgery
1 year of Herceptin completed Dec 07
15 years and no recurrence as of April 2021
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05-11-2007, 02:33 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 1,516
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Sheila...
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. Neither you nor she did anything wrong, if anything it's your "specialness" that made you a target for this horrible disease. Your friend is in my prayers, BIG huggs to you. Take care and God bless sweetie.
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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05-11-2007, 05:23 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 503
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Oh Sheila,
It seems that everything that happens to one of us really happens to all of us. You make me think of my close friendships and appreciate them more by reading about your long friendship... there is truly nothing like it.
Please know I am thinking about you and praying for your dear friend.
Warmly,
maria
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05-11-2007, 07:58 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Norridgewock, Maine
Posts: 778
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Sheila, I am sorry to hear about your friend. Have been through this myself and its very hard. Will keep you in my prayers and for her comfort these last few days. Life sure gets harder for us between fighting our own disease and reaching out to others. Sending you and your friend a big hug, Sandy
__________________
Dx. 03/01, Rt. IBC
AC/Taxatere
Rt. MRM-with graft Lt. simple
5 rads-skin mets
Herceptin, taxol, carboplatin (taxol seem to be the magic drug)
Navelbine & xeloda (did not work)
topical miltex for skin mets
Tykerb/xeloda
thoracentesis x 2 left lung fluid shows cancer cells
Port removal (4 years) with power port replacement
Doxil
Updated 05-07 Scans show no bone or organ involvement we shall see!
I shall not pass this way again. Any good I can do or any kindness that I can show let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.
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05-11-2007, 08:04 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Posts: 127
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Sheila - With tears I write this. I HATE CANCER!!!!! I just received news yesterday from my friend that her cancer is back. In the spine and pelvis. WHY, WHY, WHY, I just want to scream.
I am praying that your friend is able to cross over without anymore suffering. I am praying that you will find yet some more strength to find your smile again. I know that you will never be able to make sense of this horribly ridiculous senseless crap called cancer. So I just send you my love and prayers.
-kim
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