Comments on: September 8, 2009

By: Carol Roden

Carol Roden — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:05:34 +0000

Mrs. Ore – I have been following your blog since I “found” you in December 2007. My Mom had been diagnosed with MDS, which progressed to AML before she began the MDS treatment, and I was frantically searching the web for everything I could learn. Through the months that followed, I often turned to your wonderful accounts for the hope and inspiration that they always conveyed.

My Mom was very much like you in that she found life to be an absolutely joyous adventure. Although the intensive chemo treatment didn’t work for Mom and we lost her 5 months later, those were some of the most precious months of my life and we had a wonderful time! Fortunately she felt remarkably well until very close to the end, and we took advantage of it to travel, to spend lots of time with family, and to laugh. We also had the time to make sure that there were no words left unspoken, and what a gift that is. I miss her more than I can begin to say, but being able to follow you through your enjoyment of the pleasures of life here has been a great source of comfort for me. I am so grateful for your sharing of your love of life, and your battle with this disease. You are an amazing woman and it is clear that is no secret to those who know you…and even many of us that don’t! I will continue to follow your journey and I will keep you in my prayers. I just wanted to say thank you so very much for your courage and grace…and especially your willingness to share your experience with others for whom it has meant so much.

God bless you,
Carol

By: Rhoda Houge

Rhoda Houge — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:45:35 +0000

I love that hymn, and I will always think of you when I hear it. Thank you for sharing that.

By: Judith Enright

Judith Enright — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:18:26 +0000

Connie — For the past year I’ve been living with AML (which originated with MDS) and one thing I’ve decided, with my doctors’ and family’s blessings, is that using oxycodone and red blood transfusions keep me enjoying the present in a way that would otherwise be elusive. Call me a wimp, but as long as these options are available to me, they contribute to increased energy and well-being. Every day our pups (much like your Alphie) show me that moment-to-moment living is precious and my goal is to take advantage of that in any way possible. So, please, don’t be afraid to ask for what you need to feel better. My heart and thoughts are with you, as is my admiration for your recognition of the beauty you find and create around you.

Judith

By: dick gale

dick gale — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:28:24 +0000

Hi Connie and all — Through the many things passing through our life right now, one clear constant is you and yours in our prayers and thoughts.

Susan’s garden is finally “tomato-ed out,” but there are still limas, some peppers, and tons and tons of black kale.

We’ll have a chance to check on the other ocean in a week or so — tomorrow we head for NYC (where I’ll cook dinners for Susan in an Upper West Side B&B studio apartment)for a week. Then it’s 4 nights on the Jersey Shore (pronounced, I think, “show-are”) where I’ll cook dinners for her in motel studio apartments in Cape May and Spray Beach/Long Beach Island. (Susan’s family vacationed on the Shore when she lived near Philadelphia.)

Thus, prayers and thoughts from us will reach you from the east!!

Warmest best to you all,

dick and susan gale

By: Joyce Niedner Greene

Joyce Niedner Greene — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:32:58 +0000

Beautifully written and beautifully lived. It is a gift to so many of us that you are living this part of your life out loud. Thank you for your continuing example of grace and faith and humor and life. I am praying for your comfort.
Joyce Niedner Greene