Loss of a dear friend

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-25-2004
Loss of a dear friend
4
Mon, 05-14-2007 - 4:48pm

This is my first time posting on this board, but I thought it would be the best place to post.

A dear friend of mine lost her battle with cancer sometime last night. She always had health problems, and forgive me, but I'm not exactly sure what her initial diagnosis was. I'm thinking it was MS, but again, I am not 100% sure. Anyways, I used to be a lifeguard at the pool where she would come to Adult Swim after all the younger kids were gone. I remember watching her walk as fast as she could through the park to come swimming, because she would always look forward to that. She was not that steady on her feet, so I held her hand as we walked through the water together, talking about everything from soap operas to the latest small town gossip!

Her health deteriorated in the last few years. She was brave and strong enough to battle breast cancer. I saw her a few months ago and she was so happy to show me her hair growing back, and was so excited that it was coming back curly.

Recently, she started to fall quite a bit, and things just weren't going very well. Apparently the cancer had spread. It was her birthday on Saturday, and there was a huge party for her, something I'm sure she enjoyed to the fullest. In a way, I am so happy they had this party for her because that will be her lasting memory - one filled with joy and happiness.

I am proud to say I knew this courageous woman, and she will be in my heart forever.

Thank you for reading.

L.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-11-2004
Tue, 05-15-2007 - 5:45am

Hello. I am glad you found our board. It is truly a soft place to land when life gets difficult. I am Beth, one of the cls here. I loved reading about your friend. Your love and admiration for her shown through your grief.


Please know that we are here for you.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Tue, 05-15-2007 - 8:24am

Thank you for sharing that wonderful tribute about a woman that made the best of her life.


It sounds like you made a difference too and I'm sure her family appreciates knowing that you were a part of her happiness.


Feel free to visit here anytime, as the people here are very supportive. I am a 'visiting' CL, helping out while one of the regular CL's is moving.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2007
Tue, 05-15-2007 - 11:27am

I am so sorry for your loss....at times we really do need to focus on the deceased strengths and what they taught us at the time of their deaths. It isn't all about the grieving but in the teachings of what another human being can deliver.

God bless you.

Kiki

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-15-2007
Tue, 05-15-2007 - 3:46pm

Stargazinggirl,

Wow, the story of your friend sounds almost parallel to the story of my friend that just passed away. Her last memory was a party given for her in the hospice where she spent her last days.

I think sometimes, even with a long-term illness, it comes as a shock, particularly if you aren't sure of all of the details of the illness. I know the quality of my friend's life was not good and sadly, she was in pain. I know now she's in a much better place.

Tell me more about your friend. How did you know her?

My friend and I met when we volunteered for the SPCA and we went in and took care of the cats once a week. We have been very close friends ever since. She loved animals more than anything else in the world. She would take in any animal to make sure it had a good home!!

Luv