Anything but an angel.
As many of you know my dear friend Andrea passed away last Saturday morning. I want to thank all of you for your e-mails and phone calls. It is hard to lose someone you care about but I am strangely at peace with the situation. I think having lunch with her the Tuesday before and hearing her talk about how much pain she was in and that she was really ready to die. She was slurring her words from the pain meds and asking for more before lunch was over. I do know the one thing Andrea hated was to not be in the moment and alert. She did everything in her power to deal with the pain instead of being "out of it." I guess I know that in my heart she is in a better place and pain free.
I know Andrea would have loved the title to this blog because she was just that, anything but an angel. She is probably reeking havoc in heaven right now. I can hear her louder then life laugh while she tells everyone just how it is going to be now that she has arrived! Her memorial is on Monday and I hope we celebrate the women she was instead of mourn the loss of her in our lives. Big love to you all,
Kristine
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Hi Kristine, this is Cheri from MI. We chatted briefly via email several months ago. You turned me onto Andrea's blog and I have been obsessed with her "great cancer swindle" ever since. Living with breast cancer myself and being a mom, I feet great compassion for Andrea, her family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to say that I am sorry that you lost your friend. I would have considered myself lucky to have had her as a friend, as you already know. I think and pray for you daily. Thank you for suggesting that I read Andrea's blog. Her words have changed and resonated with me.
You also said something to me that has become my motto, "Kickin' cancers ass"....I had it printed on several shirts!!....thank you for that. Best of luck, Kristine. I look forward to your next entry.
Cheri
we are here if you need anything....what an inspirational woman andrea is, and what a legacy she left behind. there is so much to learn from her spirit. we love you. jeanna, rusty and christopher.
ReplyDeleteDear Kristine,
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to understand through your words and Andrea's blog how special of a person she was and how profoundly she impacted your life. I am deeply sorry for the loss of such a dear friend.
I know that Andrea will be watching over her family and you! I am praying for you everyday and look forward to your updates.
God Bless and keep the faith! Love, Ann R.
Kristine,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you each and every day. As I read though your blog I am always inspired by your courage and honesty in dealing with whatever life throws at you and the decisions and challenges that you continuously face. I am truly sorry you lost such a wonderful friend and I will keep her family in my prayers. May we be reminded by Andrea once again just how precious life is. Take care, lots of love.
Shannon H.
Hi Kristine,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your friend.
I was just reading in our local paper (Ann Arbor, MI) about a sarcoma awareness walk being held in Ann Arbor. It is sponsored by the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
In the press release they say the walk is part of the 2008 Team Sarcoma Initiative. I searched and found a website for the Initiative. The website provides information about International Sarcoma Awareness Week (July 12-20) and a list of events being held all around the country and world.
I thought you and all those who care about you might be interested. See the links below for more info.
Team Sarcoma Initiative:
http://www.sarcomahelp.net/Bike%20Tours/ts_2008/ts_2008.htm
Sarcoma Awareness Walk: http://www.mlive.com/annarbor/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-28/1215528044126640.xml&coll=2
UM Cancer Center:
http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/cancertreat/tissue_bone/index.shtml
You and Ryan do a great job with all of the information and bringing us along on all you're going through. Jill and I look forward to seeing you in Saginaw in a month.
J D
Kristine
ReplyDeleteI as well read Andrea's Blog and truly felt the spirit of an amazing person and can see where your bond with her came from!
I am so sorry for your loss! Your comments of her being in pain and this is probably easier for her remind me so much of my stepgrandmother when I was a teenager she had Breast Cancer that lead to ulitmately to her bones and everyone said it was so much better she was out of pain when she passed. It took me so many years to even understand how dying could be better than living? I thought people were crazy to say that! I am so sorry that you had to watch a friend be in that much pain. Continue to be an amazing light that shines for her family!
Thanks for your card - My mom was back in the hospital the day that I got it and it so made my day! My mom is up to 32 days in the hospital in 3 months - the practice of medicine!!
Love Barbara
Kristine,
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen you for a few weeks and have been thinking about you and wondering how you're doing so I logged in to your blog this morning. I am so sorry about your friend, Andrea. While I never met her I know I would have loved her spirit.
Just know you are close in my thoughts. Keep kicking cancer's ass.
xoLiz
JD....thanks for the info on the Sarcoma Stroll at U of M. My husband and i spent the morning at the event and were able to connect with other families. i met a woman at the stroll. Her daughter had sarcoma when she was 7...now she is 27. she later contracted hepatitis c from the blood transfusions she received during treatment. her mom is trying to get the word out about the lack of hepatitis c research. her website is www.hepcfund.org. we met a lot of nice families and it felt good to be able to share my sister's story and connect with others who are fighting the same fight.
ReplyDeletecolette
Hey Kristine,
ReplyDeleteI am truly sorry to hear about Andrea. You and Ryan continue to take care of yourselves.
See you at the 20th!
Jimmy