Progress So Far

  • Romance writer - Historical. Contemporary and Intrigue
  • 2 books written for HarperImpulse

Wednesday 20 July 2011

Sad Today...

My lovely, brave mother-in-law (Rita) passed away yesterday. She was 71 and had been suffering with cancer for over 2 years - often in terrible pain.

Cancer is a horrible disease, and Rita fought a long and hard fight against it. She was initially diagnosed with bowel cancer about 3 years ago. She had that treated and was living with the after effects (colostomy bag etc.). Then about two years ago she went back to the doctors saying the cancer had returned. She was referred back to her original consultant. Without going into too much detail Rita and this consultant had been a loggerheads over her original cancer treatment and when he said rather arrogantly that he didn't think she had cancer, saying it was probably just a hernia Rita wasn't best pleased! She told him she knew her own body - and that it WAS cancer. Cue lots of tests and guess what? She was right - it had returned - a massive tumor on her kidney which subsequently spread. Guess who had to eat humble pie?!

My husband and I are so glad she is out of pain now - although we'll miss her terribly it was SO hard to see her in pain all the time. People say it is a blessing, and I think they are right. But we will miss her. I'm already dreading Christmas, birthdays etc. poignant reminders that Rita is no longer with us. I've been asked to do a reading at the funeral. If anyone knows a fitting bible passage (I do have some up my sleeve) then please let me know.

Thanks for listening. Caroline x

11 comments:

  1. Big hugs to you and your husband, Caroline. Cancer is a terrible illness.

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  2. Caroline, of course you'll miss her. So sorry for your loss. I'll keep you in my prayers.

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  3. So sorry to hear about your loss, although glad your m-i-l is not longer in pain. Hugs and prayers!

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  4. So very sorry, Caroline, Rita is at peace now, but of course you will miss her xx

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  5. Caroline, I am so sorry to hear this news and know all too well what it's like to lose someone to this illness. My thoughts are with you and your family xxx

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  6. Thank you so much Jackie, Maisey, Rachael, Teresa and Cheryl. Your lovely words are a comfort. Caroline x

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  7. Caroline, I'm so sorry.

    I don't know of any particular passages from the bible apart from those normally used as part of the funeral service but when my mother died, I became very fond of the poem "Crossing the Bar" by Tennyson and have thought of requesting this for my own funeral.

    xxx

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  8. Thanks Kath - I'll look up Crossing the Bar. Caroline x

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  9. Sorry to hear about your mum-in-law Caroline, hope you're doing okay xx

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  10. So sorry, Caroline. Thinking of you and sending love.

    XX

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