Remembering Pat (Gaelen)

[weisssoccermom]

Today marks the one year anniversary of Pat's death. Perhaps I shouldn't have posted this topic but.....I know that there are many of us who genuinely miss Pat. Yes, at times Pat's way of expressing her opinions could irritate many people but I don't believe any of us can deny that Pat was a wealth of information and helped many of us with recommendations for the HAI pump, Dr. K at Sloan, the Sleep Number bed , etc. Pat was realistic with this disease and faced her ups and downs and her final death with dignity and grace.
While I never met Pat, I was privileged to have spoken with her many times in her last year of life and learned a lot (or at least I think I did) about what made Pat 'tick'. To this day, I don't know how Pat got my phone number or what made her call me that November evening when she was boarding the train to take her home from Sloan but I will forever be grateful that I had that opportunity to get to know Pat and to let her know that other people DID care about her. Her love for her dogs automatically made her an "A-OK" person with me and I remember how difficult it was for Pat to have to 'let go' of her babies and give them up.
Pat - thank you for everything you gave to this board and others to help educate us on the realities of this disease. Thank you for all the time you spent researching treatments, etc. and sharing that information with us. You will be missed and never forgotten.
Jaynee

[NWgirl]

Thank you for posting this Jaynee. I think of Pat often and wonder "what would Pat have done?". She was a tremendous source of guidance and support for me. I did have the honor of meeting her at Call on Congress 2012 - just a few short months before she passed. When asked by another Colon Club member (after meeting Pat) if she was what I expected - my response - "yes, just a little louder". I really liked Pat and respected her so much.

She will forever be in my heart. Missing you Pat and hoping you are in a better place, surrounded by the dogs you loved so much while you were here.

[raym]

Thanks for the post. No softening this cancer stuff...straight and to the point (which was how Gaelen posted) works for me

[SoConfused]

wow! can't believe it has been a year ... I didn't connect with Pat's personality but ALWAYS appreciated her treatment and scientific explanations. She knew a lot about this disease and shared a lot with this forum. I am glad you posted this today so we can all pause and recognize her positive contributions.

[Bev G]

Really miss her, and remain grateful, every single day, of all I learned from her. May she be resting in all the peace she so richly deserves.

[Lisahopes]

I so appreciated Pat's direct ways. I am someone who needs to know the truth and prepare for it.

She was so very knowledgable and is missed.

I admired her dignity and clarity of mind.

[dianne052506]

I'll be the first to admit that Gaelen jumped on my case a couple of times. At first, I thought I thought I didn't deserve it. When I was calmer and looked back, she was definitely right. I had written without thinking, and had, therefore, written something rather stupid. She did not tolerate that, and I admired that about her.
I did not get to meet Gaelen in person, but I am most thankful for having met her here. Not only was she a wealth of information, she made me a far better writer. I hope I continue to live up to that.
I'm not sure we will ever know how much she added to the fight against CRC. I would love to know the end result of all the trials she reviewed for the DoD. Selfishly, I wish I could ask her thoughts on the trial I am on now.
Most of all, I admired the way she chose to meet the disease head-on, and to make her own decisions for the end.

Here's to you, Pat.
Dianne

[justin case]

A good teacher doesn't care how many toes get stepped on!
My many thanks to Gaelen
Michael

[chrissyrice]

I loved Gaelen's posts and miss her on the board helping so many of us. Pat was a very special lady for sure and I feel blessed to have had a chance to experience her knowledge, humor, and her no nonsense, on point discussions.

O/T ... Pat had a Beta Fish near the end of her life and I have one now that I inherited ... so each day I think of her when I feed my fish... can't think of a better reminder that a fighting Beta Fish named Pat.

[SaveMyArchie]

Thanks for posting this. I knew what today was and I'm glad we can still pay some tribute a year later. I remember when she gave me a strong electronic pep talk back in April 2011 (in addition to all the usual wisdom, of course) and am comforted that part of her legacy is 'searchable' in the post history on this forum. I really wish I had gotten to meet her in Jan 2012 when I had the chance...

[jeanette57]

One Year Gaelen

Wow, you were so helpful. You held my hand making the decision to put my old dogs down before the operation, you shoved me into giving my things to people who would appreciate it. That take a gift party was a fantastic concept. I thought of you as I gave away my drum yesterday. I gave away my sewing machine and made some people really happy. HOW could you impact my life when I never met you? Still you did! I blocked what you said about relatives, still working on that! P.S How was that Rainbow Bridge? I am will be so beyond love to be there with my pets. Thanks for the poem and lessons.

Your lessons and wisdom were a blessing and pain in the ass. I appreciate your advice== "you can live with the why me" or live with joy and knowledge with what time was left. 95% joy and grumble, fear, oh woe 3%-numb 2%

Thanks to all the teachers - guides- wisdom makers - you best the butt kickers, What roles you play have made my life richer.

[michelle c]

RIP dear Pat. She and her words of wisdom are missed here.

[Guinevere]

Really miss her, and remain grateful, every single day, of all I learned from her. May she be resting in all the peace she so richly deserves.

Exactly what I was thinking as I read down the list of replies. Anytime someone has a technical question, I realize just how much we relied on Gaelen and how very helpful she was.

God bless ~
Guinevere

[BrownBagger]

I had one of those weird experiences the other day on the way to work. Pat was involved with rescuing greyhounds and there's a group in the town where I live that does that (there's a dog track not far from here). Pat worked with these folks. I always see the same lady walking her two greyhounds as I leave town on my morning commute. I've always wanted to stop and ask her if she knew Pat, but haven't quite figured out how to do it gracefully. Anyway, as I was driving by, this woman looked in my direction and instead of seeing her face, I saw Pat's. Didn't creep me out; just made me sad.

I knew this sad anniversary was approaching, Jaynee. Thanks for this thread.

Oh yeah, and she's the one who inspired me to hook up with Dr. K. at Sloan, and I'm probably alive today because of that.

[edinaman]

Jaynee, thanks for the post. Pat is missed by so many. She was a source of so much knowledge about CRC. So often I have seen a comment in the posts about how Gaelen would probably have the answer. RIP.
Jeff