Sad, but not unexpected news

[dreamshark]

Got this email today from my mother's friend Joanne, who has been forwarding news to the family:

Hello All,
I am sad to write this today but Frances called me today and says she will no longer take chemo. She has decided to start Hospice. I will go over tomorrow afternoon to talk with them. She is still the most amazing person I have known. To face all of this as if she were going shopping or something. I guess that is why we all love her. She is really tired and ready for this I think. I am sorry to have to write sad news but it is best for her I think.
With love,
Joanne

Comments

[barondave.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

[thorintatge.livejournal.com]

I just mailed my letter to Oma last night, before seeing the message today.

[hakatrip.livejournal.com]

I'm a breast cancer survivor, and understand that decision. Chemo is so hard on your quality of life. I hope her journey through Hospice is as easeful as can be.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Actually, it's more the chemo that has given up on HER than the other way round. She's been through 5 different types of chemo. All of them worked for a few months, then became ineffective and she moved to another one. Last time I talked to her there was only one more possibility that the doctor could think of, and it was a long shot. Apparently that one either didn't work or wasn't tolerated well enough to be worth continuing. She's done exceptionally well dealing with the chemo while still managing to enjoy life. It bought her another year, and a chance to spend lots of time with children and grandchildren. But it's Stage 4 cancer, metastasized to several organs, so nobody really thought it was curable.

[dsgood.livejournal.com]

My sympathies and good wishes.

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Sympathies!

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

My best wishes to all for getting through this as well as possible under the circumstances.

[mmagidow.livejournal.com]

Dear Sharon - I am sending you lots of love and virtual hugs. It is so hard to lose a parent.