[KarenR*]

Dear Board Buddies -

I know some of you have been following the saga of my mom (on this board and on the "other")...

Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer in November. I moved my folks from Rochester (about an hour away) here to Buffalo in December so that I could take care of mom. A 90% coronary blockage was discovered during her testing. Mom underwent bypass surgery in January. They never got a chance to address the lung cancer as during the heart surgery they explored the lung and discovered it had gone from stage 1b to stage 3.

Mom struggled with her recovery. Her poor lung never regained the strength it needed to sustain her.

Sadly, mom passed away on Wednesday 2/27. She was surrounded by her family and by the warm thoughts and prayers of so many of you.

I will be forever grateful to my mom & dad for giving me the gift of these past 2 months of caretaking for my mom. (I am also grateful to be on tysabri for my ms. Without that I could never have sustained the stress level and energy level necessary to take care of both of them.)

Please keep my dad in your prayers as he misses the woman who was the love of his life for over 56 years.

Thanks for all of the prayers and warm thoughts.

[Blessings2You]

My condolences on your loss. I'll be praying for your family. God is able.

[Kitty]

Oh, Karen. I'm so sorry. I know how hard it is to lose your Mom. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

[MSCherokee]

Karen, I'm so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I understand how hard it is to lose mom. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[weegot5kiz]

I am sorry for the loss of your Mom, my prayers and thoughts go out to your family, and to your father.

It is not easy for spouses or children, My father also passed from cancer years ago. and as you mentioned i was honored to care for him and glad of our closeness.

your Mother shall always be close to your heart

[SandyC]

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. I am sure she is smiling down on you for caring so deeply for her.

[AfterMyNap]

I'm so sorry, Karen, it's a painful time no matter how it comes. I've been so impressed by your powerful spirit through all of these last months. I'll be praying for all of you.

[DM]

Oh Karen~~ I read your post w/a huge lump in my throat. Your love for your parents is something I can relate to. We had lost my Father 3 1/2 yrs B4 my dear Mother passed. She missed my Dad every day. In fact, she really never did get over her loss.

Try to keep your Dad occupied and busy. That's what we did w/our Mom until she got sick. I want you to know how sorry I am for your loss, and how inspiring it was to read your post. Your Mother passed into the Lord's loving hands knowing how much she was loved by her family. That is such a gift.

Take care of yourself Karen. I will keep you all in my prayers. You are a wonderful daughter...

[soxmom]

You and your family are in my thoughts during this difficult time.

peace,

Sox

[Kristi]

First I'm so sorry Karen about your Mom my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know alittle bit about what your going through lung cancer has affected my family terriably, it all started with my Mom being dx'ed with lung cancer luckily for my Mom and our family they found it early enough before it had spread she had surgery they removed ahalf of one lung and I thank God everyday she's still here. Now my mom has only one sibling a sister and about one year after my mom was dx'ed with lung cancer my Aunt Jan was dx'ed with the same cancer but sadly in my Aunt's case the cancer had already spread to her brain and she died 8 months later. I hate cancer period.