Chris (aka Editgirl) Celebration of Life

I was able to attend Editgirl’s (aka Chris) Celebration of Life on Thursday, February 22^nd.  It was held at a beautiful winery called Viaggio, in Acampo, California.  There were many in attendance, celebrating with complimentary wine, which Chris loved, and a beautiful lunch served outdoors.  As we had come to know, through her many posts, she was a woman who lived life to the fullest – before cancer, during her treatment of cancer, when NED, through her reoccurrence, and until she lost her independence to this awful beast.

I was honored to stand before her family and friends to represent us (Cancer Survivors Network).  Our group was mentioned previously, in her brother’s tribute, testifying to the many friends Chris had made around the world – including her recent Germany visits.  I brought to everyone’s attention how she had touched each of our lives in a special way, encouraging many of us, offering us hope through her alternative treatments and informative posts, remaining committed to our group, being a source of strength to many, demonstrating bravery, how she was a ray of light, informative, a comforter, always cheerful, and warmly welcoming to the new-comers.

As I explained to the audience, our group is like an extended family.  No one understands what a person goes through, unless given this diagnosis.  Most of us do not want to burden our friends and family with the details of our disease and the many questions they can’t answer.  Our group is a place we can come together, be transparent, sharing our anger and frustrations toward this disease, banning together to fight it with as many weapons as we can gather through various studies, resources, clinical trials, and sharing effective traditional and alternative treatments, We strengthen and encourage each other, openly discuss personal and intimate topics, joke together, and most importantly respect each others differences and choices in treatment.

I left with peace and a heart-felt understanding…just as much as Chris was precious to our hearts, we were the same to her.  In fact, I sensed our group was a place she could be real about her struggles and blessings.  A place for her to safely and openly share her journey - findings, concerns, discouragements, blessings, strengths and weakness.  A place she could come and know we were all in this together.  A place she cherished and held precious to her heart.  I sensed we knew her more intimately than those in attendance – more transparency was given to us, than others outside this group.

As I pondered this, I came to understand that I too feel the same. This group is my safety net.  I get busy with my family, homeschooling and raising my two sweet daughters and caring for my hard-working hubby, but you are my go-to, when I have spare time. I love coming here and seeing those who are committed to welcoming the newcomers, those who share new effective and hopeful findings/treatments, those who have remained NED, and most importantly seeing encouragement toward each other, and reassuring each other we’re not alone on this journey.

Chris demonstrated what a courageous warrior looks like.  She marched forward, never in fear, but instead determined to get the most from each new day.  She was still swing dancing in Lake Tahoe in October 2017, performed at the Cruisefest with her band playing instrumental surf and garage rock in November 2017, and even wrote on January 2, 2018 on social media “2017 was a difficult and challenging year for many reasons, but it was also filled with some great times with many of you.  Here’s hoping that 2018 brings peace, love and good times to all of us.” 

As each of us have come to understand, life is fragile.  None of us are guaranteed tomorrow.  Even in Chris’s last days and hours, she remained optimistic, never surrendering to defeat.  Let us live like Chris, enjoying each day to the fullest, seeking new adventures, opportunities, and not let our previous/current diagnosis rob us of our daily joy and sharing love.

Rest in peace, our sweet friend.  Until we meet again, you will be forever in our hearts.