Shortly after my grandma was diagnosed with cancer, I began to e mail our
local weatherwoman for channel 7 news after reading her online journal on
her battle with breast cancer. We tried to support each other as much as
possible. When my grandma died, she was wonderful! her faith was enough to
fill... well, she had lots of it! In November of last year she had a
recurrence of the cancer. The initial fight she had a double mastectomy,
round after round of chemo, radiation.... she was weak and sick and still
fought. The tumor was an "aggressive" one. By the time the relapse happened,
she quickly went downhill.... stage IV.... she had tumors pop up in her
brain. She began the fight all over again.
Her last entry into her journal was on March 1st. here's an excerpt:

"Posted March 1, 2004
My attitude has taken a turn over the last week. But it's for the good!

When the diagnosis of recurrent breast cancer came last November, it was a
shock. Especially since the cancer had spread and was considered stage IV.
My faith immediately took over, and I had a peace that said God was still in
control. But I have to say I did look at life much differently.

As I would drive to my treatments I would notice all the people around me,
hustling and bustling, going about their lives. I knew that some of them had
struggles, but it still seemed to me that they were oblivious to the
shortness and preciousness of life. I felt like I was driving on a different
plane.

I could see death ahead of me, but everyone else was just going about like
they were invincible. It was an odd sensation, and one I knew wasn't true
for everyone I was driving with. But it was a feeling I had nonetheless.

I've gone back and forth on the death thing. Because I know that Jesus died
to save me and I have heaven to look forward to, I'm not afraid.

Statistics show that only 16 percent of women with stage IV breast cancer
live five years after diagnosis. So, that was a fact I had to deal with, and
I trust in God's plan for my life. I can't imagine going through this
without my faith."

She died yesterday afternoon after a courageous fight and unlimited support
and kindness in spite of her own diagnosis. I admired her strength, faith
and courage. She was only 40 years old and leaves behind 2 kids and a
husband.... Please, say a little prayer or light a candle for her family so
they may have strength to face the road to healing ahead....
Thanks!