Dear TNBC family,
I feel that I need to write about my friend Cathy. I helped her for the last 3+ years and we became good friends. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and did not receive good advice/treatment but I was able to help her from 2017 on and she received very good care. But, she had very difficult disease.
She was one of my personal heroes. No matter how difficult various surgeries, chemo and radiation therapy were, she never complained. When she 'rang the bell' after 5 1/2 weeks of radiation therapy she was cheered by new-found fellow patient friends, nurses and radiation oncologists. That's just who she was.
She graced everyone she met with her presence. She was very bright, funny and had a wonderfully positive attitude. One of her great joys was watching my grandchildren grow up from the pictures I send her. She loved seeing their development and I loved sending the photos to her and hearing her joy.
Covid prevented me with being at her last consult about ten days ago. Present were her Breast Medical Oncologist, Chair of the Breast Cancer Clinic at a important Cancer Center and the Head of Palliative Care at the same hospital to tell her that they felt that her recently diagnosed brain mets should not be treated as things were too advanced. They are both extraordinarily gifted physicians and lovely people. Also present was her brother who flew across the country to be with her and take her back home.
She passed a few days ago in her family farm, the home she grew up in, surrounded by much love from her family. That was her final wish. It was a miracle she made it home and I am delighted she did. She was at peace.
Not too many places on this planet where I can unburden this old soul and know that the audience will understand. Thank you my dear TNBC family.
Good bye, dear Cathy. Thank you for enriching my life by being you.
with my love to all here,
Steve