Semis and Caregivers, Family and friends...

Its been a very sad week for all of us. Although we knew when we took this role in this place that more than likely we would have to feel some of the losses by people with our issues. We never thought that these people would become our friends, our confidants, our family. Whew, its been sad, this week as well as most weeks in here some will receive bad news, some will pass, some just this week will be diagnosed and be as we were at some point, lost in all of this and looking for a hand to pull them out of the fog.
Although its sad that we lose our friends, but we must consider why we do what we do and face everyday news that most normal individuals could never deal with.....its because we are not normal, but fearless in facing what we know will come to pass and relentlessly staying the course to assure that the newly diagnosed will get passed the emotional onslaught that comes with a dx of this disease, much less the physical and financial issues that accumulate as well. It would be all for naught if we simply quit and just simply said I can't deal with this anymore. I can understand why individuals have to do this, it sometimes gets overwhelming, I have to take the breaks as well, it hurts, it hurts really bad, but for the betterment of the masses, and in respect for all of our friends and family gone, we persevere and stay the course to assure that our fallen are remembered, cherished, and brought up in conversation as if they are still around, and actually to me they are. I will cherish each one individually for each has their own reason for having a place in my heart. My life has certainly been blessed by being touched by them through their lives and family, stories, and love for their family at home as well as here.
We need to persist in being the diplomats and tour guides for the visitors that we are getting each day, and allow them to come into a place where warmth, love and solidarity abounds, and to remind them of the ones that were here that kept us up to snuff on new treatment regimens both Western and Eastern, down to earth answers, attitude and wit, how Moms, Dads, sisters, brothers, spouses were doing in their treatment both emotional and physically and just to let them know they will never be forgotten and each of their stories and antics will be passed on as family members always do.
We have lost a lot of friends, friends that will never be replaced, but each one of them has left a very vivid story and feeling in my heart and will be carried with me forever. I am a better person for being around each one, I am sure that all of us feel the same. My love and deepest sympathy goes out to all who have suffered losses in this journey, but through this journey there has been many friends I would have never known if not for this place. Thank you CSN for providing us a place to be with our peers, our friends, our family................Love to all of you........and may 2011 be the year of the cure..........buzz