July 10, 2009

Atlanta Rose

Posted in Health, Life, Personal tagged Ascites, Atlanta Rose, Chemotherapy, education, primary peritoneal cancer at 2:07 pm by pdxfirefly

   Somehow, women throughout the United States have found my blog.  One such woman who was diagnosed with the same cancer I have, Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma, lived in Atlanta.    

    She was diagnosed the day after I was and was so happy to have Portland Firefly’s blog to read.   We gave each other hope and encouragement through our emails. 

    I knew that she had severe  Ascites (fluid in the abdomen).   She shared with me that they had removed on three different occasions, 5,6,and 7 liters of fluid from her abdomen.   This is not a good sign, I thought to myself, and I kept the thought to myself. 

     Since I had not heard from her in weeks, I sent her an email yesterday after my chemo session.    Her Daughter emailed me back almost immediately.  I then began to suspect the worst.   Her email confirmed my fears.   Sweet Atlanta Rose had passed away on July 5th.

   The important things to me are:

 We were diagnosed the same day.  She only had 3 1/2 months after she was diagnosed.  I can only surmise that her cancer was farther along at diagnosis or perhaps she didn’t respond to the Chemotherapy drugs as well as Portland Firefly.

We JUST NEVER KNOW what the plan for our lives may be.

I am reminded of the horrible aggressiveness of this deadly cancer.

And that brings me to the fact of taking every opportunity I have to educate women on the deceptive signs of this aggressive cancer. 

   In the shower, Portland Firefly cries sparkling tears for a cancer sister she has never met.   We were diagnosed the same day.  It could have been me.  I too most probably will sucumb to this disease.  I am sad, but so grateful for my healing to date.  But how much time will I have?  I am submitted to God’s will in this, but ever hopeful that  He has given me a mission to accomplish and that He will give me the time to complete it.

   Marnie,   My deepest sympathy to you and your family on the passing of your Mother.  I am so sorry that you and she had to go through this and that you didn’t have more time together.  My deepest condolences.  I am so sad for you today and I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow during her funeral. 

                                 Good bye Sweet Atlanta Rose

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