I Am Not the Person I Used to Be

I wrote a previous post about a friend of mine who was deeply affected with cancer and was not able to live alone nor drive anymore, and she had moved to Dubuque, Iowa, to live with the Sisters of Charity. She donated her car to them and submitted to vigorous cancer treatments.

Night before last, I got a message from my youngest brother that she had passed away.

An era in my life has come to an end. He was upset, but I was devastated.

According to the mutual neighbor who had been to see her, she was failing and not improving with the "chemo" and other treatments. She passed away between the end of January and the beginning of February. It was worse that I was just finding out now - almost six months ago!

The only good thing about this is that she is no longer in pain.

Rest in peace, Pat. I will miss you tremendously.

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redredred · M

Cancer spent six and a half years murdering my wife. People who talk about waging a valiant fight against a disease know nothing of the daily desperation and the dwindling hope attached to a fatal illness.

MaryJanine · 61-69, F

I don't know for sure how long Pat carried the disease in her system, but she never complained. It was several years, that's for certain.

I am very sorry regarding your wife. When Pat moved into her home in 1966, she was accompanied by two maiden sisters and, later, a Sister who had taken the vows and became a nun. All of these died of cancer while she lived there - she was the last.

Thank you for sharing your story.

LookingForIt987 · 51-55, M

I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss, MaryJanine. 💔 I hope you're able to find peace, whatever form that means for you.

MaryJanine · 61-69, F

@LookingForIt987 She was a dear friend who went above and beyond what it means to be a good neighbor. She would do anything for me. We lunched out often, the last time about a year ago before she left for Iowa. I talked to her maybe twice when she was installed in Sisters of Charity. She spoke of being homesick and of the hills in Iowa (Illinois is flat). She wished to be back on our street.

All I can say is, she's no longer in pain. Thank you for your compassion.

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