Grief April 9, 2008

I was told heartbreaking news today.  Peggy, a women that I met right after I was diagnosed with cancer, passed away from Hodgin’s disease.  She was diagnosed 3 weeks before me with Hodgkins.  She had the tumors in the same places and was undergoing the ABVD chemo that I did.  It was nice to be able to chat back and forth and get the scoop as to what I should expect.  She had 4 rounds of ABVD (8 treatments) and then waited a month for the scans b-4 radiation.  I remember her and I talking about why she was able to have 8 when I was going to have 12.  I was so jealous!  Her scans came back and showed the tumors had grown.  So she was sent to City of Hope where she would undergo ICE, which is a harder chemo, and 2 stem cell rescues.  It was a rough course.  Last I had talked to her she was going to start radiation.  Today, to my utter shock, I was talking to her sister in-law asking how Peggy was.  She told me Peggy had passed away.  I couldn’t wrap my mind around this.  How could this happen so fast.  She said it was fast - they did a scan on a Friday and the cancer had grown and by Wed she was gone.  My heart is broken.  I can’t even begin to tell you how awful this is.  She was a Mom and wife and  this horrible disease took her life.  I can’t stop crying and I’m overwhelmed by the loss.  My heart just aches for her poor family left behind.  This is one of those times you shake your head and can’t help wondering why some live and some die from the same thing.  It just kills me!  Peggy, I will miss you and I admire the fight you went through to live. I know you are in a wonderful paradise now and will see your family again.  My love to your family!