nancy246

I am so glad you got to know your brother without the alcohol before he died. I also had the return of my mother the last few years of her life when she was too sick for alcohol. It is hard to see good people we love fall into the deadly spiral of alcoholism.
How beautiful for your brother to experience family and love again before he passed. He is at peace. You are a wonderful sister. Nancy

For all of us out there who have lost our mothers:

“I am reminded that what I adore, admire, and draw from Mother is inherent in Earth. My Mother’s spirit can be recalled simply by placing my hands on the black humus of mountains or the lean sands of desert. Her love, her warmth, and her breath, even her arms around me – are the waves, the wind, sunlight, and water.” Terry Tempest Williams

Dear Maria, My thoughts are with you and your family. Don’t feel bad about playing along with your mom’s denial. Everyone approaches death differently and if that is what she needed that’s okay. Sounds like her last hours were peaceful and how special for both of you to be able to hold her as she left this world. She is with you forever and you with her.
Hugs. Nancy

Hans, Not only was Kris full of hope, she filled so many of us with hope. It is what keeps me going – hope for the future- hope for a cure for the many still suffering. Kris truly was/is a special soul. She is not forgotten; her many inspiring, heartfelt, sometimes painfully real, full of humour posts are still read as she continues to give hope.
I understand your “embracing the pain”. I too have lost my spouse and I use the pain to strengthen myself and bring understanding. Like Kris I find laughter in each day. Wishing you a peaceful 2012. Nancy

Lisa was one of my first inspirations on this board. I miss her already. Hugs to her family and friends. Nancy

Hi Rob, I am a caregiver looking after my husband Doug as we face the final stages of stage 4 cc. I understand when you say it is hard to put one foot in front of the other. Just yesterday my daughter asked me how I do it and stay strong. I told her I am not always strong and I do it for love; for better for worse through sickness and health, till death do us part. He would do the same for me if the roles were reversed. This is the toughest journey we have ever been on and we try to take one day at a time. We try to laugh each day and hold each other close. Doug choses not to talk about his illness and that he faces death, so we don’t. I too understand about the thoughts and fears running through your head; sometimes I think I might go mad, so I push the thoughts out and go back to living day to day. There are too many of us out here fighting this disease. We will continue to fight until the day a cure is found and no one else will have to suffer the way we do. Fighting with you in Revelstoke B.C.
Nancy

Hi Trish, Will be thinking about your mom and your family tomorrow and will pray for good results. Stay strong. Nancy

Hi Mojgan, Like Lainy I would suggest that you seek out a doctor who knows cholangiocarcinoma well. Find out if she is a canditate for surgery. Has she done any chemo? Wishing you all the best. Nancy