Remembering Sweet Baby Girl Andrea

Hi Everyone,

May 10th will mark the first anniversary of the passing of Sweet Baby Girl Andrea Elder. Please take a moment today and remember this truly special young women that we all came to admire for her courage, strength and determination in the fight. Andrea was one of a kind and is truly missed by all who knew her. The below are some expressions that were felt one year ago and remain today.

Baby Lisa

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The Semi - Colons Remembering Andrea

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Andrea

A message from your cyber-friends, the "Semi-Colons". . .

"What lies behind you and what lies before you are tiny matters compared to
what lies within you."

You embodied these words of Ralph Waldo Emerson. You were... no, you ARE...
a shining inspiration to all of us. You showed us all how to cope with our
disease with grace, courage, dignity, humour, determination, and a fighting
spirit. And, most of all, you showed how to love life and live every moment
of it that was given to us. You gave each of us all of those things you
held inside yourself. What lay behind you? Treatments, surgery, pain,
sorrow, fear. What lies before you? Peace, comfort, rest.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Sleep well our "sweet baby girl", know that we all carry a piece of you
inside of us and we will carry on your fight. I pray we can do it with even
half the grace and courage of you.

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While it is very sad to see such a young, tenacious, happy, vibrant spirit pass from
our midst I know we are all richer for having been touched by her presence.

I have lost my personal cancer hero, but I know she is in a much better
place and will shine down on us all each and every day.

Rest well, Andrea. Thank you for touching our lives and showing us the true
meaning of courage, grace, selflessness, and joy in living...

SpongeBob

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Now we grieve the loss of someone so sweet, loving, smart and very tender.

We must continue to fight this disease.
Kerry

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I never got the chance to get to know Andrea , But when I was first diagnosed I remember reading a lot of her post. And feel like I knew her . Her SPIRT and Her "I CAN "!!! She brought to this board will live on forever !!!

My Heart goes out to all Her Family and friends..

"May the Lord Bless her and Keep Her"
Debra.

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I also never got to know Andrea, but from reading posts about her always got the feeling that there was something special about her. Can you tell us a few things about her, for those of us not fortunate to have gotten to know her?

I wish the best for her family and loved ones.

Rodney

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She was a young lady, early 20s. She prided herself on being tough and brave, despite all that was thrown her way. She wore mini skirts in the coldest of winters, and thongs to colonoscopies! She was working on her doctoral degree and was quite the smart cookie!

The world is empty without her...

Stacy

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Words can not describe how special Andrea was/is. I have never learned so much from someone so young. I hate that this horrid disease took her from us but I am honored to have known and learned from her.
Lisa P.

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I am deeply saddened to hear of Andrea's passing. I always looked forward to reading her posts, and I have missed seeing them lately. Through it all, she had the most amazing, upbeat outlook on life. Very tragic and unbelievably sad...

Deepest Sympathy~

Michele

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I googled her and found a nice article on her and her fight. You can find it at http://www.mcgill.ca/reporter/36/13/stein/.

I think I'll roll up in a cornor somewhere for a good cry now. But I know she's in a better place now, without pain and suffering.

JADot

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I read a lot of her earlier posts when I first joined this wonderful site. I know she is an angel now and at peace. My prayers go out to her family.

Audrey

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I'm so sorry to hear of Andrea's death. Her posts were always so uplifting and inspiring.

Jamie

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Yet again we are brought to tears with the passing of someone special on this forum. Andrea was so full of spirit and determination and will always be an inspirational memory for all of us. She fought a brave battle and is now at peace.
alihamilton

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Andrea was one of the first people to respond to my first post to this board last year. I told several people of her encouragement to me to

"Just keep swimming!!" (Dory from Finding Nemo).

It made me laugh and feel stronger.

It's very sad that such a gem has passed.

My thought and prayers are with her family and many friends,
Maria

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As it sometimes happens all of us here are fearfull when one of our own fails to post and I have no doubt that everyone, like me had concerns when Andrea was not posting. Questions were often asked here in the past few months as to her whereabouts and her health. Knowing Andreas great attitude and her determination to continue to fight her cancer and continue her studies I am sure many of us hoped and prayed that her studies kept her from us. Sadly I was mistaken...very sadly mistaken. Andrea inspired me by replying to my very first posts such a long time ago. For all of us here her courage must live on in our own quest to "kick but".

Sleep peacefully baby girl.

The news is sad....but we honor Andrea by following her example.
Ross and Jen


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Wow what person I wish I could have met her! I needed a good cry. Sue

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The world has a hole where our Sweet Baby Girl used to be.

Every time Andrea posted you could feel the room brighten up in here. I always felt like I was running over to hug her when she showed up.

Her spirit and attitude was enviable and we were all the better for it.

She would disappear for times and we always rested assured that she was swamped in schoolwork. I would fuss at her for working so hard and not taking enough time to rest and heal, but how does one "pin a wave upon the sand"?

Our Sweet Baby Girl truly lived life to its fullest. I'll never forget her talking about having to deal with her boyfriend and her "bag". It surely didn't stop her!

Yes, Andrea was special. You could feel it--it was not "virtual" at all. It was tangible.

Sweet Baby Girl, may you dance in freedom for eternity. Thank you for being in my life.
peace, Emily who grieves for Andrea now.

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I did not know Andrea, but I am very saddened by the news. She was so young. It sounds like she was a real fighter.

Cancer sucks. I hate this disease!!!!!!!!!! I just get so angry when this monster claims another one of us.

No more suffering, no more pain, Sweet Baby Girl. You fought so hard. May the angels be with you.
Terri

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I'm sorry I never met her...so young. Kathi

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Andrea holds a special place in my heart. She was one of the first ones to respond to my first post and her reply was so full of hope, as almost all her posts were. She has left her mark in this world and it is a huge, beautiful one. She will be missed, but not forgotten.

Mary

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I remember Andrea well. She was so full of life and did it all knowing she was terminal. She had emailed me many times when I was thinking of the ostomy surgery. She had been through so much and still had a great attitude. She was so young to have to deal with all this. She will be greatly missed.

Maureen

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Rest In Peace Sweet Baby Girl

Love Fellow Canadian
Lisa Rose