missing Gaelen

[SaveMyArchie]

I don't have much I can express that well but I remember it was almost today last year that our Pat stopped treatment and never went back to MSKCC. I miss her in many ways.

[Bev G]

Me, too, Steve. I think of her nearly daily. The longer she's gone, the more I realize she taught me.

[FatBob2012]

I am a newbie compared to others on the board. Yet, I already have fond thoughts of quite a few who bravely shared there narratives of life; and end of life. For me, there have been important lessons in grace, courage, and hope. Art

[BrownBagger]

I think about her a lot. Thanks for the thread, Steve.

[pollo65]

Can't tell you how many times I want to ask her a question---so very much miss her knowledge and chutzpah.
pollo 65

[gep]

I'm there with you guys.
Gloria

[Cj51]

Me, too. I enjoyed her direct style, intelligence and her willingness to share what she knew. I remember the way she decided how she would face the end of her life, and then she carried out her plans with courage and dignity. Such a strong, unique personality. I sure miss her.

Cj

[Guinevere]

Add me to those who miss her wry humor and straight to the point observation and delivery. We need that here along with the way others give their own good advice. I wonder if she ever really understood how valued she was with us? I sure hope so.
God bless ~
Guinevere

[James65]

I miss her too, as well as Brady and Mary Catherine, and many others. One of the many things that I has stayed in my memory was the video of Mary C's husband and kids playing Mr. Tanner by Harry Chapin at her memorial service. I watch it periodically and can't help but cry every time. It can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_oPgNYtmHM.

Love to us all.

James

[lydia123]

Me too.

She inspired me and my husband, who is increasingly involved in the technical side of patient advocacy.

[Bev G]

I miss her too, as well as Brady and Mary Catherine, and many others. One of the many things that I has stayed in my memory was the video of Mary C's husband and kids playing Mr. Tanner by Harry Chapin at her memorial service. I watch it periodically and can't help but cry every time. It can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_oPgNYtmHM.

Love to us all.

James

Hello James,

Thanks a lot for posting the wonderful video of MC's memorial service. I hadn't watched it in a long time. So beautiful. Such amazing kids. How could they not be?

[Kathryn in MN]

Me too. When I first had progression to bones, I started to write her to ask her an opinion... It took a while for it to sink in that she was really gone. But in many ways, she is still here - pieces of her were left with many of us. We agreed on so much and processed most things the same way.

I do not consider my cancer a blessing. But I do consider getting the chance to meet Pat (and many other CRC patients) a blessing. I made it to DDNC this year, but not Fight CRC. I imagine many tears were shed remembering Pat at this year's event. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have my bed that makes a world of difference with my bone mets. She stressed how important it is and that the rest of us shouldn't blow it like she did and wait until the final days to get a decent bed. That started things off and wonderful friends and family made it a reality. It it weren't for her, I'm not sure if I'd have gone to D.C. my first trip, and gotten hooked on health advocacy through politics too. And while I've always been one to try to think outside the box, she taught me a lot about doing that with cancer treatments when the "usual" just didn't work well for me. She taught me to respect my oncologist's knowledge while still advocating for what was best for me.

[NWgirl]

She was the reason I first attended Call on Congress in 2012 as well; and was honored to meet her there in person - the first and last time I ever got to see her. She was missed there terribly this year. Words cannot begin to express just how much I miss her.

[Lisahopes]

She was so honest. I know she got flak for it but she knew her stuff. I miss a person like that on the board, who knows all the terminology and can correct falsehoods.

[jjlist]

me too