I've noticed that no one has posted any tributes. I would like to be the first if I may.
My sister Patty lost her battle with Triple Negative Breast Cancer
on Thanksgiving morning (11/26/09) at 6:50 am. It was ironic because
she found her lump on Thanksgiving 2007. When she was first diagnosed
we had never heard of TNBC and had no idea what an uphill battle my
sister was facing. Her treatment started with chemo, followed by a
mastectomy and then radiation. At the end of summer 2008, doctors at
Dana Farber said she was cancer free. We were all so happy.
Unfortunately it was only 3 short months until it returned. More chemo
over several months and she was again told in April 2009 that her cat
scan was clear. Her three month check up bought bad news as cancer was
found throughout her lymph system and in her bones. She would not be
discouraged. She had decided that she would be a conqueror not just a
survivor. The next rounds of chemo, 2 different ones, unfortunately
did not work and the cancer spread throughout her body. While she did
win battles along the way, she was unable to win the war and despite
her valiant effort we lost her. She was amazing right until the end.
She leaves behind two daughters, 20 and 22 years old, and a 13
year old son. Also our parents and 5 sisters and 3 brothers. We all
had the privilege of being with her in her final hours and she was
brave to the end.
I am so terribly sorry for you loss. It breaks my heart to read of young vibrant women losing this terrible battle.
I just received news today that a friend of my daughter's was
given the same news as your dear sister. She is relying on God and her
faith to get her and her family through all this.
Again, my heartfelt sorrow and I pray that you and your family have an abundance of peace.
Love, Hugs and Prayers,
Carol
Carol-66yrs old at DX 06/08
TN IDC Nodes clear
Mastectomy 07/08
Chemo A/C x4 and Tax x4 Radiation x35 7 Boost
Craniotomy 09/08 Hemangioma
Local recurrence of primary tumor 07/09 Rads x28 NED
Sister, this made me cry here in my office. I'm so sorry. I'll make
a tribute thread especially for her. Do you have an obit and picture?
If so, could you please post it in Patty's tribute thread once I (or
you) make one? Much love, Denise
DX 2/08@43 stg II IDC; gr2,no nodes. Neoadj chemo, first ACx2 (fail)
then CarboTaxotereX6(better). Lump, Rads done 11/18/08; Clodronate.
False alarm queen: PetCT lung & TM marker. NED
I am sorry so sorry but I cannot read these tributes. I am sure they
are wonderful and the women very courageous but it is too difficult for
me to read them because it hits too close to home. I hope you all
don't take this wrong but it has been a difficult road for us and I am
just wondering if others are having a tough time here with these
wonderful tributes. I felt like crying reading these and it is just
too much for me at this time.
Sorry,
Dave
Wife diagnosed 7/08 stage 2B 4.78cm with 3 nodes. 15 weeks of
Adriamycin and Cytoxin, Mastectomy, 12 weeks of Taxol, and 6.5 weeks of
radiation.
QuoteReplyTopic: TNBC TRIBUTES Posted: 04 Dec 2009 at 11:25am
Thank you for your kind responses.
Dave I understand how for some the tributes may be difficult to read.I don’t think I could have read them while my sister was still with us.I am grateful, however, to have a place like this to talk about my sister.We should not forget those who have left us and fight for a cure in their honor.
JoAnn
DMWOLF here is the obit you requested. I can't seem to figure out how to post the picture.
Patricia
A. Walsh-Cassidy 1961 - 2009 SOUTH HADLEY - Patricia Ann "Patty"
Walsh-Cassidy, 48, of South Hadley died on Thursday November 26, 2009
at her sister's home in Chicopee surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Springfield on January 30, 1961 a daughter of Joseph and Ann (Fitzgerald) Walsh of Springfield. Patty was a 1978 graduate of CathedralHigh School in Springfield and received a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst
and a Master's Degree from Worcester State College. She spent much of
her life serving students with disabilities. Patty put her heart and
soul into her work, touching thousands of lives through her teaching
and through her work as a speech therapist and assistive technology
specialist. She worked at the Hampshire Educational Collaborative in Northampton for more than 20 years. She was one of the founding members of the Collaborative's CCATTAssistiveTechnologyCenter. Patty taught graduate courses at Simmons and LesleyCollege in Boston as well as Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT and Our Lady of the ElmsCollege in Chicopee,
sharing both her enthusiasm and vast knowledge base. She helped train
dozens of technology teams through the MESPA trainings and through a
federal grant that Hampshire Collaborative was awarded several years
ago. Patty was instrumental in developing products and tools in the
field of augmentative communication through her collaboration with
several of the leading companies in the field. She had presented at
national technology conferences for a number of years, many to standing
room only crowds. Patty's energy, brilliance and dedication to her
chosen field had inspired countless number of parents and professionals
to reach for the stars. Patty was a communicant of St. Jerome's Church in Holyoke and was a member of the John Boyle O'Reilly Club in Springfield. She also loved vacations with family and friends to Florida, HamptonBeach, Lake George, Jamaica and her favorite spot, Ireland,
where she recently vacationed just six weeks ago. She will be deeply
missed by all who knew and loved her. In addition to her parents, Patty
is survived by her children, Shannon T. Cassidy, Michaela R. Cassidy
and Conor J. Cassidy, all at home in South Hadley and their father,
Joseph F. Cassidy of Palmer; her sisters and brothers, Sheila M. Walsh
of Chicopee, JoAnn F. LaFlamme and her husband Keith of Springfield,
Christine M. Irujo and her husband Tony of Westfield; Mary E. Arduser
and her husband Bill of Conway, MA, Brian J. Walsh and his wife Beth of
Belchertown, Timothy F. Walsh and his wife Bonnie of Wilbraham, Matthew
S. Walsh and his wife Terri of Amesbury, MA and Martha K. Curley and
her husband Matt of Marlborough, MA; her many aunts and uncles,
including her aunt Kay; her many nieces and nephews and extended family
members; her many friends including dear family friend, Roe and dear
friend, Lauren. She also leaves her rock, Elton Braithwaite of Granby, MA;
her morning coffee buddies, Debbie and Lorri; her "Sunday Family Dinner
Crew", Laurie, Glen, Carrie, Dan, Ed, Lorri, Pat and kids. Patty's
family would like to extend their deepest thanks to Dr. Grace
Makari-Judson and the staff of the D'Amour Cancer Center in Springfield
for their wonderful care of Patty during her illness. Visiting hours
will be held on Sunday November 29, 2009 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Sampson's
Chapel of the Acres Funeral Home, 21 Tinkham Road in Springfield.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on
Monday November 30, 2009 at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Hope Church at the
corner of Armory Street and Carew Street, with Rites of Committal to follow in St. Michael's Cemetery, 1601 State Street, both in Springfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in "PW's" memory to
the Patty the Conquerer Fund in care of Freedom Credit Union, 959 Springfield Street, Feeding Hills, MA01030 or to Rays of Hope, Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut Street, 6th Floor, Springfield, MA01199. Patty was not a survivor. She was a conqueror
I am so very sorry for the loss of your sister. There are just no words. Such an untimely loss caused by this horrid beast. May the love you all share hold you tightly through the upcoming holidays, and always.
Linda
Linda - diagnosed at age 62
Diag 2/23/09 IDC 1.2 cent. IDC right breast,Stage 1, Grade 3,0/1 nodes - Triple Neg
4 DD AC every two weeks, 1 Dd Taxol, then 3 Taxotere every three weeks - rads x 33
What a deserving tribute to a very accomplished and talented woman. My heart aches for your loss and especially for her children. Thank-you for posting this.
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