Hello everyone,

It has been a long and trying week.  During which I’ve had to work some long hours and also lost a dear friend to breast cancer.  I’ve decided to make today’s post about her.  I’m sorry for taking so long to add to this blog, it’s just been one of those weeks.  As always, I hope you find something in this entry that helps you or those you love.  God bless always,

Meredith – RNC

 

In Memoriam:

 

This past thursday, early in the morning, this world lost a wonderful woman and heaven gained an angel.  One family lost a wife, mother to three young boys, sister, daughter and aunt among others.  One medical staff lost a GREAT Obstetrician, the other nurses and I lost a wonderful colleague, and I lost a dear friend.

She had been battling breast cancer for over 4 years, but it DID NOT WIN, It DID NOT WIN.  It WILL NEVER WIN. 

She was diagnosed 4 years ago while she was pregnant with her 3rd son, at about 32 weeks or so, and was induced a little early so that she could start treatment against this aggressive beast as soon as possible. 

All through treatment she worked, that’s probably where my inspiration came from, and she rarely missed a beat.  After her treatment she got back to normal as soon as possible.

On her birthday, roughly a year later, two years ago now, she had some pain and felt a lump on her collarbone.  A bone scan showed many areas of metastasis, or cancer spread, throughout her ribs, hips and spine. 

She underwent a more aggressive chemo regimens, and radiation, and was going through chemo about the same time as I was, maybe a little after.  For the next two years she had her ups and downs, but they were normal, tumors shrinking then growing.  She even underwent an experimental therapy involving bone marrow in some way, although I didn’t understand all of it.

This past spring, she suffered a stroke and had to be wheelchair bound.  Things were slowly going downhill all summer, then we received the news of her passing while we were at work just recently.  Before she got to the point where she was wheelchair bound, she spent a lot of time traveling with her 3 sons, taking pictures and enjoying moments with them.  I think that is important and courageous on her part, maybe knowing where this was going to end and wanting to make sure she made as many memories for her young sons as she could. 

She leaves behind a wonderful family, a loving husband, 3 darling boys and many other family, colleagues and friends.  She will never be forgotton.  She personified strength and courage and perseverance and although a cliche, everyone who knew her was a better person for doing so.

Her family misses her, and are dealing with her loss through therapy, but they are assured they will be re-united with her some day.

She is no longer having to endure the pain and suffering that she so graciously accepted, she is healthy and whole, she is in better hands, the loving arms of our lord.

I had to share this, god bless you and yours always,

Meredith – RNC