24 year Battle with Breast Cancer

 My dear friend lost her battle with breast cancer Tuesday, Nov 8th. She was initially diagnosed in 1987. Tests revealed she was cancer free for 11 yrs after a radical mastectomy followed by chemo and radialion. In 1998 she found a lump on her sternum. Doctors removed some of the tumor and my friend went through another round of chemo and radiation. After 1998 the cancer metastisized to her liver, sacral bones, lungs, skull, lumbar spine, bronchial area, and an area near her aorta. She was treated with many antineoplastic medications. She discontinued these meds this yr when doctors began finding new tumors about every 3 months. She wanted to enjoy the life she had left, without the medication side effects, especially the adverse effects of Xeloda and Tykerb. With my assistance she took many vacations over the past 13 months including 2 trips to Disney with grandkids. I am sure I pushed her wheelchair many miles. She spent 7 months enjoying the sun and beaches of FL. We met more then 20 yrs ago while working as nurses.  Several yrs ago she asked that I be with her during her final days to make sure she was comfortable and pain free. I kept my promise and held her hand during her last few weeks and as she moved on to a better place. I shall miss my friend