10/02/2010

LiveStrong Day

We've got our paws crossed fur a speedy cure!
Cancer is a killer, taking far too many of our loved ones from us in the prime of their lives. Our lives have also been touched by cancer:

In looking for a silver lining in the dark cloud of cancer that had descended for a second time on my mother, I realized that knowing my mother's days were numbered, I needed to say a few things to her NOW. Like how much I admired her, and what a good mother she had been. I told her some of my fondest childhood memories, talked about memories of she & my dad, and wanted her to know that she
had filled our home with love and happiness, (in spite of what my surly disposition as a teen might have led her to believe.) I wanted her to know that she was still an example to me - of bravery, of perseverence, of sacrafice, and of prayer. Cancer had robbed her of her ability to walk around and be active, as she had always been. Not long before the end, she told me "I may not be able to do much, but I spend my days sitting in this chair praying for people. I call my friends, I talk to them, I pray for them." Next to the chair was a stack of Holy Cards. I took several with me, which I treasure to this day. Her favorite saint was St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes. Her entire life, she always told me I must never give up, no matter what. She lived those words, and I am so grateful for her example. I can't wait to see her again someday.

Our handsome, gentle, Sherman, an angel of a dog, died of lung cancer at the age of 4 1/2. From the time I first took him in for what I believed to be kennel cough, it was only 6 weeks till the day we helped him cross the bridge. We had received the diagnosis of cancer that afternoon, and we could not let him suffer a moment longer. He was barely able to breathe, fading before our eyes. That day was hushed, shrouded in a heavy mist carrying the low moan of a foghorn in the distance as seagulls cried mournfully, and it seemed that our whole world was grieving with us.
One year ago, our beautiful Blue Moon Star joined her beloved Sherman across the Rainbow Bridge, her vet strongly suspecting that cancer was at work behind her rapid decline. We miss her dearly, having raised her from a 5-week old pup, and were blessed to spend nearly 11 years with this wonderful, wise soul.

My husband also lost a a brother to pancreatic cancer, at 59 years young. Rest in peace, dearest Ray.

I want to honer two others in our family whose work in the medical field from the genetic level on up.

My BIL, Dr. Tom Kunicki, a researcher for Scripps Research Institute, and his wife, Dr. Diane Nugent, a pediatric oncologist. She was voted best physician in the state of California, and, (imo), her knowledge and skill as a healer are only exceeded by her kindness and compassion. Diane is also a cancer survivor herself. God Bless them and their colleges for their relentless efforts to find answers that will improve the lives of those afflicted with horrible diseases such as cancer.

And to all who are touched by cancer, God Bless you, may every day be filled with hope, love, gratitude, and miracles for you and your loved ones.

Pat, Joseph, Jack & Moo

7 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Yet another post so filled with memories that are challenging for the writer -

This is going to be a very cathartic posting day - albeit with lots of tears -

Thanks for sharing AND our candle is still lit from Tucker's journey on Friday -

We hope all of yours furiends see it too -

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra's Mom and Khyra
PeeEssWoo: My mom is a St Jude believer as well - that's why Auntie Di's middle name is Judy

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

A very difficult day for so many of us, but so healing to be able to share at the same time. St. Jude is very special in our humans' lives too. In fact, he was the saint who intervened when our Mom's brother was conceived after years and years of trying by our grandparents.

Live Strong and Long - and let's continue the fight against cancer.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Beautiful post.. Memories that are to treasure.. LIVESTRONG together.. Hugs GJ xx

ThePainterPack said...

Thank you for sharing such beautiful memories with us. Cancer is a horrible disease, but it cannot steal our precious memories.

MBB and Family

Phred said...

Loving Memories of Beautiful People, and never to be forgotten
FurKids ... May ALL their memories
Live on Forever in our minds.

{{{Hugs}}}

ZOOLATRY said...

A beautiful posting, full of beautiful memories. It is so good, and you were truly blessed, to have the time to share thoughts and feelings with your Mom.
For your loved and lost pets, our purrs, our prayers. For those family and dear friends we also share purrs and prayers. Thank you for being part of LIVESTRONG Day. It's been an important event for many of us...

Noll's Nip said...

Lovely post. Thank you, especially, for sharing your Mom's story.