Comments on Kevin and Barbie -- Our Journey of Hope: On Death

Dear Kevin, please put a new, more up-lifting titl...

2009-10-07T10:24:38.885-07:00

Dear Kevin, please put a new, more up-lifting title on your blog. Hope you are doing well.
love, Aunt Renie

Greetings, I read your blog from Sept. 22nd to Ri...

2009-10-06T21:28:48.914-07:00

Greetings, I read your blog from Sept. 22nd to Rich. His immediate response was the patient probably had a pulmonary embolus related to his cancer. We really enjoy reading your website. You are wise, gentle, sweet soul. And a gifted writer. You should write a book. Happy you are feeling better.

Elle from Anchorage

Greetings, I read your blog from Sept. 22nd to Ri...

2009-10-06T21:27:33.448-07:00

On Saturday, we attended the BMT Annual Banquet fo...

2009-09-28T10:24:01.958-07:00

On Saturday, we attended the BMT Annual Banquet for patients, their caregivers and medical staff. A grateful patient introduced each of the 5 or 6 doctors of different specialties, with humor and gratefulness. Each doctor spoke briefly with grace and also gratefulness. I loved the patient given 18 months to live who is now celebrating 6 years & doing well. Her doctor said she was a inspiration & her cancer should not have such a Disney-like name. Then he sang
'SUPERCALIFAGILISTICAMALOI-OI-DOSIS!
It was inspiring to be part of this group, tho the MDs asked for a moment of silence for those who were not there. We are all touched by the indomitable human spirit, unflagging efforts and modern medical miracles.

Again, you expressed your thoughts in a way that t...

2009-09-27T10:13:05.435-07:00

Again, you expressed your thoughts in a way that transports your feelings. For me, having someone I love pass away changes everything and it's a terrible mixture of pain and beauty. Processing the pain simply takes time, not to eliminate but to learn "where to put it" in my life. The beauty rises to comfort, enlighten and inspire. I'm also learning the importance of sharing my love and gratitude with others.
I know this, I love you and am happy to be in the same family; I'm glad you're spending your time loving and enlightening others.

That is so sad! I am constantly reminded how fragi...

2009-09-24T10:50:04.892-07:00

That is so sad! I am constantly reminded how fragile life is. I don't think you are ever prepared to let a loved one go. Although we have the compfort that we can see them again, it is still very difficult.
Rachelle

Dear Kevin, thank you for your thoughtful explorat...

2009-09-23T14:31:51.019-07:00

Dear Kevin, thank you for your thoughtful exploration of this important issue. Having been on the receiving side of an M.D. who was very uncomfortable giving me the bad news, I can say it is helpful to have thought it thru. I am sure you were as compassionate as possible and as such, wish you could do ANYTHING to help. When there's really nothing anyone can do except be there. Platitudes, any comments at all, just interfere with the survivor processing this profound loss.
You ask which is the best way to go We saw Anita go unexpectedly in a crash, and saw Art linger waste away with cancer, but had time to say I love you & good-bye. What I learned from this is that your everyday relationship is what counts in a loss. To the degree you express love & are at peace with one another, you will have that peace to carry forward. I also believe the death of a spouse is the most life-changing. The death of a child impacts your future. Of a parent, your past. Losing your spouse impacts your present. But it's still a present.
love, Aunt Renie

Um wow, I'm not sure what to even say. I don&#...

2009-09-23T07:16:42.967-07:00

Um wow, I'm not sure what to even say. I don't think I could do that, even though I've been told my family members have died. Never in person though, always on the phone. I'm not sure that is supposed to be easy to say those things, if it were, then we've become too calloused. I hope you have a better day.

Love,
your niece Brooke