SDS Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 After a long, rough week - I'm finally back home. I returned on Friday night to blistering heat and no phone/TV/internet (FIOS). I just got the service fixed this morning. My mother passed peacefully Sunday morning with me and my sister by her side. She let go a few minutes after her husband left. She claimed he was the "perfect man" for her, but I know a lot of that had to do with his loss of hearing. ;) She battled AML (Leukemia) since September. The cancer was gone, but it was likely to return (80%) and perhaps even quickly (3 months? 1 year?... who knows). Her only potential cure was a bone marrow transplant. We found a match in Feb., but it ultimately wasn't good enough. She needed to be symptom free after the BMT for 100 days to have statistics on her side. She made it to day 90. What was supposed to be a couple days in the hospital turned into 9-10 weeks. She never left. Her mind was strong and she fought to the end, but her body could no longer cooperate. The GVHD she was fighting (body rejecting the bone marrow) took too much out of her. The steroids were devastating and the recovery never materialized. Bucky Gleason wrote a wonderful piece in the Buffalo News on her life. I am forever grateful to him. His last line will stay with me forever as will his words stay with my mother (we printed them and laid them by her side). Her arrangements were a celebration of her life in harness racing. I highly recommend Michael Tomaslewski's Funeral Home in Batavia. He did an amazing job and his facility is top notch. I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. It means a great deal to me. There was even one member who came to the wake. That was was truly very special to me... I hope I can return the kindness you all have shown me someday. Here is the top of my mother's vault. My best friend from high school's company does these special applique's. They did an amazing job: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derrico Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjag Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 Bucky Gleason wrote a wonderful piece in the Buffalo News on her life. I am forever grateful to him. His last line will stay with me forever as will his words stay with my mother (we printed them and laid them by her side). I only read the first few paragraphs the first time. I had no idea that this was your mother even though the name is there. A very nice article and tribute to your mother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfreeman Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 Good man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supersabre Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 We are here for you SDS!!! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopefulFuture Posted July 24, 2011 Report Share Posted July 24, 2011 My family and myself give our best to you and your family SDS. My thoughts and prayers are for you and yours. May you always remember, and never forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notwoz Posted July 25, 2011 Report Share Posted July 25, 2011 I haven't been on the board that much the past month or so, so I apologize for the tardiness of the message, but condolences to you and you family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North Buffalo Posted July 26, 2011 Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 All my best to you and your family. Doing the same thing right now, catching a flight to San Diego this week to say goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calvin Posted July 26, 2011 Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 God bless you and your family SDS.. our prayers are always with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spndnchz Posted July 26, 2011 Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 All my best to you and your family. Doing the same thing right now, catching a flight to San Diego this week to say goodbye. God speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDS Posted July 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 All my best to you and your family. Doing the same thing right now, catching a flight to San Diego this week to say goodbye. I don't envy you. :( Good luck man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted July 26, 2011 Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 Bucky Gleason wrote a wonderful piece in the Buffalo News on her life. I am forever grateful to him. His last line will stay with me forever as will his words stay with my mother (we printed them and laid them by her side). That was a beautiful piece. I pictured a woman full of smarts, class, integrity and a natural flair. Someone I would be very proud to know. As I am sure, you were. God Bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfreeman Posted July 26, 2011 Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 All my best to you and your family. Doing the same thing right now, catching a flight to San Diego this week to say goodbye. I am very sorry. God bless you and your family. You are doing the right thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North Buffalo Posted July 27, 2011 Report Share Posted July 27, 2011 Thanks for all the kind words. SDS She is doing better today, Had a collapsed lung this weekend and almost didn't make it. She is going to a Hospice care facility Thursday from the ICU. Seems like Radiation from a CT/PET, to check on the treatment effectiveness, last week may have triggered this, basically her body saying she has had enough. Today she was doing better as sometimes happens. But the prognosis is the fight is over... Once again, thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dEnnis the Menace Posted July 27, 2011 Report Share Posted July 27, 2011 Thanks for all the kind words. SDS She is doing better today, Had a collapsed lung this weekend and almost didn't make it. She is going to a Hospice care facility Thursday from the ICU. Seems like Radiation from a CT/PET, to check on the treatment effectiveness, last week may have triggered this, basically her body saying she has had enough. Today she was doing better as sometimes happens. But the prognosis is the fight is over... Once again, thank you. Hang Tough :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X. Benedict Posted July 27, 2011 Report Share Posted July 27, 2011 Thanks for all the kind words. SDS She is doing better today, Had a collapsed lung this weekend and almost didn't make it. She is going to a Hospice care facility Thursday from the ICU. Seems like Radiation from a CT/PET, to check on the treatment effectiveness, last week may have triggered this, basically her body saying she has had enough. Today she was doing better as sometimes happens. But the prognosis is the fight is over... Once again, thank you. Make her comfortable, say the things you need to, be near, be at peace. In my experience with tough old Irish girls - we had to give them permission to quit fighting - and then let them know it was okay to pass and that we would all be okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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