Cancer Sucks!

One of my friends from the YSC boards passed away last night. She was surrounded by her family and was peaceful. But I am so sad and pissed off right now. She was about 33, left behind a wonderful hubby and son. I don't remember how old Danny is, but I am thinking around 3.
Cathy was known as Mama Cath on the boards. She kind of took the newer ladies under her wing. She had a great way of looking at things too. This is from a post she had in June o6;

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 powerlessness, 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 overwhelmed.

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 incessantly 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

I can't begin to tell you how many women that post has helped, and continues to help. Cathy was dx'd in April 2005 at the age of 30. January 2007 she was dx'd with mets to the liver, lungs and bone. She was posting on the board up until about a month ago. She had planned on going to the conference in Florida this year, but had to back out as she wasn't feeling up to it.

I wish I could have met Cathy in person. But I feel extremely privileged to have known her in any capacity.

Be sure to check the next post for pictures of Cathy. I can't figure out how to put them in this post the way I want.