Gaelen update - TUESDAY 7/17 UPDATE

[hart2hart]

Gaelen -

This world is a better place because of you ---- THANK you for you and
all the education, tips and plain ole good advice you gave me and Pete.

You will always be in our hearts.



Julie and Pete
Stamford, CT
Hubby LRC (Stage 3)- 11/11
Chemo/Rad, Surgery, Chemo Xeloda/Oxi - 12/11 - 7/12
Chemo Stopped Tempor. due to Alimentary Tract Mucositis - 7/12

[Deirdre]

So glad Gaelen is surrounded by family at this time.

Thank you Gaelen for your dedication to colon cancer and for dedicating your energies to increased information and awareness and knowledge, even if that knowledge is sometimes hard to swallow, we are richer and more informed for it.

Thinking of you.

With thanks
d

[BrownBagger]

Gaelen taught me how to live with Stage 4 disease and for that she will always have a special place in my heart and my undying gratitude and respect.

[TheBurn]

Somehow, I thought that she would "magically" outlive us all. I'm sorry to hear she's not able to be in hospice, but hopefully the hospital will still respect the intent of her plans.

She was helpful not only with CRC, but all reached out to me on her use of the Protein Power diet and hooked me up with a co-moderator on one of her other boards to talk about a diabetes diet.

Her posts were always provocative as she stuck to her guns and had the knowledge and intelligence to support her opinions. I didn't always agree, but I always read with interest. Not sure if there's anyway to do it, but it would be fitting if we could have a separate folder of Gaelen posts so that they would never get lost

[beccab1]

Gaelen,

Your perspective has been eye-opening, thought provoking and your posts always informative. You've helped so many, myself included.

Thinking of you.

Rebecca

[HildaC]

Gaelen,

You will be missed here...

Peace,
Hilda

[Beatrice]

Strong thoughts,prayers and peace for you.
always
Beatrice

[alphagam]

I agreed more than I disagreed, but Gaelen made me look at my life head on. She is invaluable. While her plans for hospice don't seem to be coming to fruition, she's helped me make my plans. I will miss her, especially when her views were not the most popular. "Strongest Thoughts"

[Bill5107]

Nothing but Love and wishes for comfort from CT.

[mm66ny]

I don't post here much these days, but if Gaelen's family is reading this, I'd like to express my gratitude to her for the perspective she brought--nothing you probably haven't already read innumerable times on this thread.

In particular, I recall her helping me put into perspective the changes that we all go through after diagnosis and treatment, and trying to reconcile our old selves with our new selves. I don't know that she told me something I didn't already know, somewhere deep down inside of me, but she put it into words for me (she said it was really a form of growth--we change through this as with any other life experience, and if we didn't, that would be rather odd), and that helped me move past a huge stumbling block in my efforts to carry on and feel "normal" again. Whatever that means.

I hope she's comfortable and is taking this part of the journey as close as possible to the way she wanted to.

Michael

[elise]

Pat,

I can only hope that you are pain free and at peace. You made a real difference in this world. We will all miss you tremendously.''

Elise

[weisssoccermom]

Here is the TUESDAY 7/17/2012 update:
Just spoke in detail with Pat's brother. Her breathing is more labored and she is 'coughing' more, but the doctors have been keeping her as comfortable as possible. She is heavily sedated and, unless she is 'disturbed' (ie. dressing changes, etc) she appears to be resting as comfortably as possible. No, this is not the 'ideal' hospice situation that Pat had envisioned, but I know that she would want all of us to know to: be prepared and to expect the unexpected! Oftentimes, no matter how well prepared we think we are, no matter how much we've planned, this disease has a way of wreaking havoc on all our 'perfect' plans! Her family and friends are all there so Pat is surrounded by those who care about her and love her. Again, please keep Pat and her family (remember her sister who is also quite ill) in your thoughts and prayers, especially during the difficult days ahead.

Jaynee

[NWgirl]

Thank you for keeping us updated Jaynee, I know all of us here are so grateful for your updates. Many of us here care deeply about Pat and although this is heart breaking, it is good to know she is (for the most part) comfortable and surrounded by people who love and care about her.

[Phuong]

Jaynee, thank you for all the updates. It really means a whole lot to me. And thank you for passing the words of Gaelen on to us - I could just "hear" her saying them.

Pat, you and your family are ever in my prayers, especially you and your sister. I'm sending you my strongest thoughts and wish for your comfort. You have been a voice of reason and wisdom on the forum and I have learned so much from you. Thank you my friend.

[mungo]

I am so very sorry to hear this. Like others, I learnt so much from Gaelen and I wish her relief from her suffering.