Cathy

Cathy died today. She was particularly loved by the YSC girls. She leaves a husband and a small son. I am sorry I never had the privilege of meeting her in person. Please pray for the cure.

Happy First Day of Spring

And Good Friday, to boot.

I remember Good Friday last year vividly. It was not pretty. I was sick and bald and on the couch watching the Pope do the stations of the cross on T.V. Bev stopped by with groceries...... having called to see what I needed.....

Today I had lunch with my boss and Stephanie and friends who used to work with me who have moved on to bigger and better things in NYC and Juneau. It's a beautiful day here. Sunny.

I had forgotten to mention that Kayla is home and seems to be doing great.

I'm getting lots of requests for a recent pic of my hair, so will try to take care of that this weekend.

Cathy Update

For those who want to know, visit aliladd.com

This site is being kept up by Cathy's college roommate. There are two beautiful pictures of Cathy there.

Mama Cathy - Another young woman fighting the fight

When I was first diagnosed, I found the Young Survivors Coalition (YSC). I've mentioned it many times. Cathy is another amazing woman from that message board. Shortly after finding the YSC, I read this post by Cathy:

Newbies.....come here and, let mama Cathy give you a big hug

It's happening again.

Every once in a while the board goes through a really tough time. Our hearts break for our sisters whose cancers are spreading at frightening rates. We see their selfless, innocent posts that detail the cancer taking over. How they feel, what they're thinking. What they need. The struggle, the powelessness, the strength and courage.

I just wanted to pull all you newbies in close and let you know that we've all been there and you are probably absolutely freaking out right now. Chemo has beaten you up, you feel like a shadow of who you used to be. Tired, depressed and overwhlemed.

You may even feel guilty because you are not only sad for these beautiful women, but you are sad FOR YOU. You see yourself in every one of these women that becomes so very sick and then loses the battle.

It's normal to feel this way and it's OK. We understand and so do they. Your mother may not, your husband may not. your friends may not, but we do.

And there's nothing wrong with feeling sad and getting angry. But please remember that the odds are that YOU are going to get better. YOU are going to get your hair back and start to feel well again. YOU are going to get back to the life that you want to lead.

So if you are checking the boards incessently right now, reading the latest post, then sobbing and then going back for more.....been there too. You are grieving....this disease is not fair....it's disgusting and ugly and perverse. And it's so much more unfair to certain sisters than others. And there's nothing fair about that.

So grieve for them. Grieve for you. And then remember that you will get better.

Love,
cathy

Yesterday, Cathy's friend posted the following:

As you all know Cathy has been in and out of the hospital as of late. She is being transferred to hospice care at MD Anderson in the next day or so. The information that I have at this time is that she is in liver failure and is not expected to recover. They are giving her days to weeks.

Please everyone pray for her and/or send good thoughts her way.

I will do my best to keep the board posted with information as I receive it.

Sorry to be the bearer of such piss-poor news. But I know she would want all of you to know. You have been such a great support to her over the years.

I can't take it.

15 Minute Lunch

I've been reading this guy's blog periodically, ever since the famous "JCPenny Catalog" posting that turned into one of those emails that EVERYBODY received.

His recent rant about hair had me laughing out loud.... and that's hard to do. Sad thing is, my hair doesn't look much better than these guys, but it's the commentary that's really funny.

Enjoy.

Happy Birthday, Dad

Sorry I forgot to call you.

Can I still blame chemo-brain?

Chemoversary

One year ago today I started chemo.

Why do I feel it necessary to mention this? I don't know. I remember dates. Plus, the next day was my dad's 60th birthday, so it's not a date I'm likely to ever forget.

Thanks for coming along for the ride.