Sapphire Skies |
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Donnaquilt 
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Joined: Jul 22 2010 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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 Posted: Jul 26 2010 at 3:13pm |
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I wanted to say hello and thank you to all of you who posted about my sister, Christine (Sapphire Skies). She went so very fast. She was diagnoised 14 months ago. I have to say that I was very uneducated. I thought she is 30, young and strong and she will beat this cancer. I was wrong. I wish that I would have been there more for her at the beginning of her fight but I was definately there for her at the end of her fight.
Around Mother's Day, she was told the cancer had shown up again. She was told that she had 12 - 13 months left. She went downhill immediately. She was in a lot of pain as the cancer had gone into her bones. We were able to keep her at home in her own bed until the last 18 hours of her life. She was surrounded by lots of love.
Her daughter, Ariel, has come to live with me, my husband and 15 year old son. She is doing amazingly well. She did have to leave the wonderful community that she grew up in, and move 2 hours away. She will have to start a new and much bigger middle school but she is already making friends here in Kenosha.
Ariel was very much a part of her mother's caregiving. When we had important decisions to be made I always included Ariel's input. She would help her mom eat, brush her hair, and rub her arm. The four of us (my other sister too) would sit and talk around the bed, laugh and sing. It was hard to talk about important stuff, but we did. I tell Ariel how important her job was as part of our care team. That makes her proud. She is a very strong and brave girl!! She knows that we all did all that we could for her mom. They were able to talk a lot together and Chris prepared her for what was to come.
I sure miss my little sister.
Love and support to you all,
Donna
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mainsailset
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Joined: Jul 27 2008 Location: Washington State Status: Offline Points: 5004 |
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Posted: Jul 26 2010 at 3:27pm |
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Thank you Donna, I had several PM's from Christine where she experssed her deep love for both you and your sister. Ariel sounds as though she has a very meaningful soul and a strength that all of us admire. Christine's love for Ariel was true as an arrow and her pride in her bubbled over sometimes in her writings. I know this will sound unusual for now, but if you can, please try and come back here from time to time to let us know how you're doing.
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dx 7/08 TN 14x6.5x5.5 cm tumor
3 Lymph nodes involved, Taxol/Sunitab+AC, 5/09 dbl masectomy, path 2mm tumor removed, lymphs all clear, RAD 32 finished 9/11/09. 9/28 CT clear 10/18/10 CT clear |
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LRM216
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Joined: Mar 18 2009 Location: Marietta, GA Status: Offline Points: 1196 |
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Posted: Jul 26 2010 at 4:40pm |
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Donna and Ariel:
Unabounding blessings and love to you both, and your family. How at peace Christine must be knowing her little girl is being loved and taken care of by such a wonderful sister.
Linda
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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 |
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TNBC_in_NS
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Joined: Jul 26 2009 Location: NS Canada Status: Offline Points: 2028 |
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Posted: Jul 26 2010 at 7:18pm |
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Donna, Thank you so much for news of Ariel! I was wondering how she was doing and where she would be living and I am so pleased to hear that she is with you and your family!
Christine was such a loving person and spoke about her sisters with love. Ariel will be fine, she is young and will make new friends as long as she is in a loving environment (which she is). Family is so important!
We all think we will live forever especially the young, but this subtype of cancer has no boundaries as to age or anything else. Christine did fight hard and long. We were all so sad to hear she had recurrence so soon, but it happens too often.
You and your family will be kept in my prayers and please do let us know how you and Ariel are making new memories. Ariel will remember what the three of you did for her mom and she will remember her mom with a lot of love knowing that you all did what you could. Thanks so much for keeping Christine home as long as you could. I think this is so important for families, it makes the loss easier to handle (if that is possible.) I lost my mom three years ago and it still feels like yesterday! The loss never leaves we just learn to live with it. Take care and know that we are all here for support for you and Ariel. We will answer what we can, should you have any questions about this triple negative breast cancer. Love and Hugs, another sister on the journey,
Helen in NS
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Diag@57TNBC04/092.5cm Lquad 05/09 TCx4Radsx30CT03/01/10 FU03/31/10ClearBRCA- 01/2011 RTNBC BMX 06/14/2011~2013 clear
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diane1234
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Joined: Jun 05 2009 Location: Arkansas Status: Offline Points: 292 |
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Posted: Jul 26 2010 at 8:45pm |
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OH DONNA.....thank you so much for the update. There has not been one day that has passed that I have not thought of your family. I have so wondered about litte miss Ariel. We become such a family on here and when one is lost we TRULY MOURN......Christine and I were dx around the same time. If I remember correctly she was Dx 4/23/2009. I was Dx 4/27/2009. My cancer has also returned very quickly. I am back in the fight. I am 37 years old and have three kids. She and I had so much in commom. I feel honored to have met your sister .......even if I was never priveledged enough to meet her in person. I hope I meet her in a place called heaven someday. Again we continue to pray for your family......and THANK YOU....THANK YOU......for this update.....
MAY GOD BLESS US ALL,
Diane
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dx 4/09 at 36 yrs old. dbl Mast. 5/09. 12 weekly Taxol 4 FAC tri weekly. 32 rads completed 2/2010. Its Back 5/2010!! Chest wall, Mediastinal node, Lft mammary node and liver. Back on chemo.
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Lillie
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Joined: Jul 10 2009 Location: Eastern NC Status: Offline Points: 3616 |
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Posted: Jul 26 2010 at 8:54pm |
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Hi Donna,
Thank you so much for sharing with us. It really helps to be able to have some closure and you have done that by giving us some details about Christine's last days and also about Aerial. Christine's beauty radiated through her posts as well as the picture she shared with us. She shared about her love for her family. I am glad you were able to be with her through her latter days. I understand what you mean about her being so young and strong and you couldn't comprehend how dreadful this disease can be sometimes. Much love to you and all your family. Love In Christ, Lillie |
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Dx 6/06 age 65,IDC-TNBC
Stage IIb,Gr3,2cm,BRCA- 6/06 L/Mast/w/SNB,1of3 Nodes+ 6/06 Axl. 9 nodes- 8/8 thru 11/15 Chemo (Clin-Trial) DD A/Cx4 -- DD taxol+gemzar x4 No Rads. No RECON - 11/2018-12 yrs NED |
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123Donna
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Joined: Aug 24 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Status: Offline Points: 13510 |
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Posted: Jul 26 2010 at 9:32pm |
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Donna,
Thank you so much for updating us about your sister, Christine and her daughter, Ariel. They have both been in my thoughts and I'm so glad Ariel has a loving home and family to take care of her. Christine was such a part of this community and we loved her posts and her picture with her big smile. That is how I'll always remember her. Her love for Ariel was so clear when she talked about her daughter. Bless you for taking her into your family. I know this must have comforted Christine in her last weeks. I hate everything about this cancer and saddened it took another beautiful person. When we lose a sister on this forum, we all mourn. Thank you for bringing us closure and letting us know about Christine's last days and that her daughter will be loved. Ariel sounds like such a strong young women. Her mother was and always will be proud of her. Please keep in touch from time to time to let us know how your family is doing and how Ariel is adjusting and growing into a fine young woman that I know she'll be. Donna |
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15 |
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Katastrophe
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Joined: Jul 22 2010 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 287 |
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Posted: Jul 26 2010 at 9:54pm |
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I weep for her, I weep for you, I weep for us all. luv Kat
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Age 49. Stg2 gr3 19mm lump in L/br 1 lymph node in L/br 3/14 lymph nod under left arm full clear bil/mast 6rds Chemo 3wkly 25rds Rad 18rds of Avastin finished treatment on 19th August 10.
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trip2
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Joined: Jun 03 2007 Location: Under Palm Tree Status: Offline Points: 8549 |
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Posted: Jul 27 2010 at 7:45pm |
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Donna, we really appreciate your posting about Christine and Ariel.
My condolences to all of you, it is obvious Ariel is in a good loving home..
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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NinaE
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Joined: Dec 11 2009 Status: Offline Points: 181 |
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Posted: Jul 28 2010 at 3:05am |
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Thank you so much for coming and sharing this with us. Christine has been on my mind a lot these past weeks. It's a comfort to know that she had her beloved sister by her side at the end, and that her daughter is surrounded by love and people who care about her.
The love and care you showed your sister, and now your niece, touches me on a personal level. Fighting advanced cancer can feel like a very lonely and frightening thing. I hope the memory of Christine sustains you all in the years ahead. |
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Stage IV at dx in Dec 09, at age 38. Mets to lung, axillary, IM and mediastinal nodes.
4xAC-->dd Taxol. Dbl mast, 6/10. Radiation, 8/10. NED since June 2010. |
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susann
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Joined: Dec 10 2009 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 98 |
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Posted: Jul 28 2010 at 4:30am |
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I've not logged on here recently to see this devastating news.
I can't tell you how sorry and upset I feel. There ARE no words.
My tears here now say it all.........
susan x
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DOB 09.11.51Dx July09,TNBC,GR3,IDC Nodes removed & clear,R.Mst,Chemo. Rads April 10 dx bone mets wrongly in spine for 2 months. BRCA1. LBreast removed + ovaries in 2012
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unklezwifeonty
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Joined: Aug 08 2009 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 203 |
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Posted: Aug 08 2010 at 11:57pm |
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On my God, this is so sad. I am devastated. Please help the family cope with this sudden loss.
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Dx: Jul/09. Age: 37. Grade: High. Size: 3cm. BRCA: -ve. Lumpectomy: Aug/09. Micromet 1/9 node. Chemo Start: Sep/09. Kicked from E5103 due to Taxol reaction. Now on AC->Abraxane. Zometa (S0307).
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LRM216
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Joined: Mar 18 2009 Location: Marietta, GA Status: Offline Points: 1196 |
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Posted: Aug 09 2010 at 8:57am |
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It certainly took us all down - none of us expected this. Such a tragedy. Ariel is in the loving care of Christine's sister, thank God, and will be raised by her angel of an aunt.
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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 |
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Tripleneg3a
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Joined: Aug 20 2010 Location: Huntington,WV Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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Posted: Aug 20 2010 at 3:52pm |
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God bless you and your amazingly strong family, Donna!
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CiGi
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Joined: May 12 2010 Location: Bound Brook, NJ Status: Offline Points: 223 |
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Posted: Aug 24 2010 at 7:13pm |
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I'm on this site all the time and did not see this post. Not sure how I missed it. I'm so sorry. I'm speachless and crying for your loss. It's beyond sad. Rest in peace Christine. God bless your family. Stay strong for Ariel.
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Age 40, 4/28/10 lumpectomy (3 cm) TNBC Grade 3 Stage 2 0/3 nodes, TAC 6x 3 week cycles start 6/15 finish 9/27, 33 rounds rads 11/22. BRCA1 & 2 neg. Lymphedema rt hand 8/14. Joint pain Dec 2010.
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Donnaquilt
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Joined: Jul 22 2010 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: Oct 07 2010 at 9:11pm |
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I was just stopping by to see how everyone here is doing, and I thought I'd give you an update.
Ariel (Chris's 12 year old daughter) is doing VERY well. She has made a ton of new friends in her new neighborhood and school. She is such a sweet and genuine person that I think people are attracted to her.
She has joined the year book committee at her middle school, and is in choir. When the drama season starts up, she wants to join that too. She calls my son, Michael, her brother. He is adopted and has always wanted a sibling. I think she's always wanted a sibling too. He's taken her to high school football games and different activities and helped her to fit in. Because they are now both "adopted" I think they both get some comfort from that, if that makes sense.
My sister Christine's birthday was September 14. We drove to Madison (2 hours away) and spent the day. Ariel visited her old friends that she grew up with and I spent time with my other sister. Then we picked up Ariel and went and visited the gravesite. We took flowers and a cupcake with a candle and sang to Chris. It was very emotional but I think it was good for Ariel.
Ariel has been such a blessing. I consider it such an honor to raise her for my sister. It has been very hard and time consuming taking apart her apartment, paying bills, court stuff, estate stuff and rearranging our house. A lot of changes in all of our lives.
I have to tell you too that my DH was diagnosed with a rare germ cell tumor cancer within a month after Chris passed away. He is in his 3rd round of chemo this week and the tumors are responding very well. His tumors are throughout his body rather than concentrated in one area. It has been very emotionally hard times here, but we are doing somewhat all right. Please keep us in your prayers.
Sometimes when I'm tired and I'm making supper or folding laundry, I feel like Chris is with me and smiling. That feeling and Ariel's hugs keep me going. I can never replace my sister in Ariel's life, but I can give her lots of love and security. I don't know if I'm expressing it right, but I feel very honored and trusted to have Ariel in our immediate family. She keeps Chris close to me.
Hugs and love to you all,
Donna Holmen Sapphire Skies sister
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mainsailset
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Joined: Jul 27 2008 Location: Washington State Status: Offline Points: 5004 |
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Posted: Oct 07 2010 at 9:29pm |
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Oh my Donna, what a breathtaking story you tell. It is so bittersweet to hear how the little girl who we all loved through Christine is doing so well and that you are embracing life with her with so much love, but I am so sorry to hear about your husband. Please wish him the very very best and please give hugs all around!
Thank you for stopping by, it really means alot.
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dx 7/08 TN 14x6.5x5.5 cm tumor
3 Lymph nodes involved, Taxol/Sunitab+AC, 5/09 dbl masectomy, path 2mm tumor removed, lymphs all clear, RAD 32 finished 9/11/09. 9/28 CT clear 10/18/10 CT clear |
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123Donna
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Joined: Aug 24 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Status: Offline Points: 13510 |
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Posted: Oct 07 2010 at 11:59pm |
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Donna,
I can't tell you what it means to all of us for you to give us updates on Ariel. Christine was part of our family here and so was Ariel. We care about them and glad to hear how she's doing. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. You are going through so much but have opened your heart and home to Ariel. You are an amazing woman. Please take care of yourself and keep us posted on Ariel's progress (your husband too). Hugs, Donna |
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DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15 |
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zoomommy2
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Joined: Sep 26 2009 Location: Denver, CO Status: Offline Points: 1356 |
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Posted: Oct 08 2010 at 12:09am |
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Donna, I believe that Christine is with you and Ariel always. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. I'll be praying that his chemo continues to work well. I'm sure Christine is very pleased that Ariel has a brother now. Thank you for doing such a good job making a home for Ariel.
Lee in Denver
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dx6/09,stageII,gr3,(L)mastectomy 7/09,ACx4,Taxolx7,Avastin study,gall bladder surgery 1/10,4/11 Stage 4, mets to lung, 4/11 Started Taxotere and Xeloda, 5/11 Taxotere stopped, off Xeloda
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LRM216
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Joined: Mar 18 2009 Location: Marietta, GA Status: Offline Points: 1196 |
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Posted: Oct 08 2010 at 12:17am |
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Donna,
Thank you so much for keeping us updated on how life is unfolding for all of you since Christine's passing. It is wonderful to hear that Ariel is doing so well. What a wonderful tribute to you. I am so terribly sorry to hear about your husband, it seems surreal that this has happened. I wish him nothing but the best of outcomes. You are one remarkable lady, and the best sister anyone could have wished for. May God bless you all, always.
Linda
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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 |
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