Thank you to all on here that have been a part of our struggle the past few years. I'm sorry to say that my wife passed away the night before Thanksgiving. Her body was weak from the treatment from her 7th cancer battle and a fungal infection jumped up and took her lungs.

Some of you have been on this road with us for a while. I tried not to make a big deal out of it because I didn't want to be the guy who only talked about his wife's cancer and was Mr. Downer. However, I have given some updates as things progressed and I have gotten some very supportive messages from folks on the board.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers during this time as I learn to cope with life without my best friend. I am sad for myself, but not for her. She is in no more pain. She isn't worrying about her next scan or worried that a cough is a sign that her cancer has gotten worse. For the past 10 years we have fought this horrible disease and after beating it 6 times, she was tired (and I can't blame her at all). She is much happier. She had forgotten how it felt to really feel good. I'm sure she remembers now

As a side note, remember when I posted about her telling me to go get the iPad Air a few weeks ago because she thought I might need it before Christmas? Well, she must have known something I didn't know. I thought she meant I might need it for work, but it was used for a much better purpose. She loved Christmas music. I used the iPad Air to stream Christmas music into her room in the ICU for 4 days straight using the hospital's in house Wifi. I never charged it and by the time she passed, it was down to 32% power. Not sure if that is normal for a battery, but I was impressed, and it gave my wife her favorite music in her final moments. She said I might need it before Christmas. I'm pretty sure THAT is what she meant. The gift wasn't the iPad, it was the tool for me to get to help her one final time.

-Mark

Mark, words cannot express the sorrow we feel learning of your loss. Love and hugs to you and yours.

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you and yours.

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Your wife was a very strong person. Not many people have the power and will to battle seven cancers.

Dude, you've brought tears to my eyes.

I am so sorry for your loss, but you have an amazing outlook on things. I am sure your wife is resting easy, knowing how much you loved her.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

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[www.zeemaps.com]

Very sad to hear of this. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Don't be the guy who doesn't share what you need to in order to cope and manage your grief. You got friends here and we really encourage you to share your feelings no matter what or when. No limits. It takes priority. Very sorry for you loss. Sounds like you had a great wife but it also sounds like she had a great husband. Prayers for your wife, you and your family.

Echoing cbelt3's words and the UnDoug's honesty.

cbelt3:
"Mark, words cannot express the sorrow we feel learning of your loss. Love and hugs to you and yours."

UnDoug:
"Dude, you've brought tears to my eyes."

The strength your wife and you have displayed is beyond
anything I could imagine.

---

“Stay Hungry Stay Foolish"
Steve Jobs

"There are only two mantras yum and yuk mine is yum "
Bernard Mickey Wrangle<>Tom Robbins<> "Still Life With Woodpecker"

"There is a fine line between a rut and a groove"
G.D. Kittredge III

"

She will always be with you and you with her. Keep her in your heart.

:-(
my thoughts are with you, I am very sad after reading that but also admiring of your strength.

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Hurts like a bastid...

I'm sorry to hear this, but glad to know that you were there for her until the end.

Mark, yes, my prayers for you too! Thank you for sharing such a deep time in your life with us. It also helps me to read this. God bless.

---

That old man - he don't think like no old man...
Now I wouldn't want to be within 400 - 500 yards of one of them nuclear bombs when it goes off! WW1 Vet Old Man
"He's pinned under an outcropping of rock. Lucky for him, the rock kept the dirt from burying him alive."
If idiots could fly, this place would be an airport. And I'd be a TSA agent.
A bonified member of The Mystic Knights of The Sea, George P. Stevens, President. Andy Brown, Treasurer, Algonquin J. Calhoun, Legal Consultant.

In these tough times, thank you so much for sharing that. The fact that the iPad, and you could comfort her in the end is wonderful.

Remember the good times, prayers and wishes are with your family.

Thank you Mark. I appreciate you sharing with us. That's an amazing life you were able to share together.

So sorry for your loss, your wife must have been a very stong woman to have fought so long and so hard. Best wishes to you and your family.

I am so very sorry for your loss, and thank you for sharing with us. What a beautiful relationship you had. We are here for you- please don't hesitate to reach out at any time.

DM

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing your wife and best friend is such a horrible thing, but she (and you) fought bravely. You have wonderful memories to hold onto that will get you through the next days, months, and years. Our prayers are with you.

As all have noted above, words are not enough. I'm so sorry to hear of your wife's passing.

The kind of love you two shared is what makes life worth living. I am very sorry for your loss.

---

Everyone has expressed everything I might add. God bless you and yours thru this difficult time.

So very sorry to hear your sad news.

Look after yourself, Paul.

Thaks so much for sharing. That's what we're here for.

There's never a good time for sorrow, but the holidays can have a way of magnifying everything. May warm memories surround you now and always.

May God be with you. I cannot add anymore than what has been said. But you said it best:

"Can I just say that my wife is the best? Good. Because she is. End of story."

[forums.macresource.com]

---

Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/10/2013 09:50AM by Speedy.

I'm sorry you both had to go through that. You have as positive an attitude as one can have in the midst of grief. I hope it stays with you. My sympathy is going to you and your family.
Don't be afraid to keep us informed as to how you are doing.

---

And we should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once.
—Friedrich Nietzsche
Western Massachusetts

It sounds like you and your wife fought this disease as hard as you could and still managed to have beautiful relationship.
So sorry for your loss.

---

Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/10/2013 09:58AM by rgG.

So sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss...

Sorry, I am at a loss for words.

As is the case with most loved ones, gone too soon. Our prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family.

You are in my thoughts.

---

So very sorry for you and your family. Like others have said, do not be afraid to post. No one would think you're being a Mr. Downer.

Oh man...

Embrace the good times.
My most sincere condolnces.
May she rest in peace. She was cool.

---

• back to confinement

Mark,

Thank you for the heart-rending and humane post. I'm wiping my eyes dry.

You have our love and support in this time of sorrow. Mourn, cherish, and live the rest of your life as your wife no doubt would want you to do.

MRF, thank you for your compassion and humanity.

I read this with tears in my eyes, such sad news, but at the same time not so sad, as suffering for so long is also terrible. I truly believe that those we love continue to live as long as we love them, and I know she will always be with you. She sounds amazing and would be so pleased with your attitude.

Honor her by living a good life and being happy, that is what she would want most of all.

You are in my thoughts. Please post as often as you like, we are all here for you.

Kate

I'm very saddened and touched by your post. Tears here too. Strength and healing to you. Peace for her.

Mark,

Sending prayers and good thoughts your way.

Mac

May sweet memories lift you up.

So very sorry to hear about your loss..

I similarly lost my mom earlier this year and she also used her iPad to listen to comforting music during her last few weeks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/10/2013 11:17AM by bhaveshp.

very sorry for your loss.

---

I am sending much love to you and yours at this awful time. Your wife was very fortunate to have you with her through all of this, and you were damn lucky to have her as your wife. I'm so glad that you had the time together that you did, and that you shared your pride and happiness with us even while conveying your struggles. I hope that if there is any way i can be of use to you in the coming time, you won't hesitate to ask.

---

rj
AKA
Vreemac, Moth of the Future

Very sorry to hear that!

Sending as many positive thoughts your way as I can.

---

Paul F.
-----
A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
----
Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
--

--

--
Eureka, CA

So sorry to hear your wife passed away.

Thanks for posting.

The holidays can be very hard when you've lost someone close, so take care of yourself.

So sorry for your loss Mark. Peace and comfort to you and your family over the holidays.

Mark, I am so very sorry to hear this news.

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Mark,
I know how hard it is to lose somebody close during this time of the year. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I'm very sad to hear of your loss. She is at peace now, without pain. Remember the joyful times.

Both my father and I have had to dodge the cancer bullet. I'm sorry about the death of your wife but glad you were there to go through it with her.

I hope you take care of yourself.

---

I'll see you again... when we are both like golden clouds on the wind.

So sorry to hear this news, after such a long, repeated battle.

Live well and honor her.

---

Love is endless... peace to you both.

Aloha

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Aloha, Ken


“I have developed significant attachments to several members even though I wouldn't recognize them if I sat next to one on a park bench. I'm often tempted when in an airport to walk around, hollering "The Løpe", to see if anyone other than the Homeland Security people will acknowledge me. ” - The Løpe

"If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion, or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein. If there are any circumstances which permit an exception, they do not now occur to us." Justice Robert Jackson

Very sorry to hear this, my thoughts are with you and your families.

It is so hard to watch a loved one go through what your wife went through. Such a fighter. You don't often hear about someone with such a valiant effort. The experience is life-changing for you, too, and that's sometimes lost in all the emotion. Take care of yourself - and your families.