| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - December 11 2004 : 1:35:19 PM
It has been very quiet in Mohicanland lately. I have been here nearly every day just to check in and see what is going on, but my own activity level has been almost nil for a number of weeks now. The reason for this has to do with the news I must share with you all.
A few of you here already know this, but most of you do not and I feel it is time to let you all know. My husband became ill a couple of months ago, has been going through a long string of doctor appointments and tests, and we now have a definite diagnosis. He has pancreatic cancer.
Due to the location of the tumor, it is inoperable. That is the bad news. The good news is that even though it is agressive, it does not appear to have spread. He is to begin radiation on Monday and will have a treatment every day, Monday through Friday, for 5 weeks. At the same time, he will be having chemotherapy once a week. I have been spending much time on the internet, trying to educate myself as much as possible. I do not like what I am reading, but am remaining optimistic.
This has been, without equal, the most difficult time of my life. I now know that only those who have personally gone through the agony of waiting and worrying and wondering can really know what the scare of cancer is like. It is horrific.
We have many, many people praying for Gary. Some of you are aware of my religious beliefs, and our faith in the goodness of God has not waivered. We believe that He will work a miracle and give Gary a complete healing. If any of you should wish to offer prayers for him, I would be so grateful. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kaylynn44 |
Posted - May 16 2005 : 5:26:31 PM
WW,
It is good that you had someplace to go and write your thoughts and have people send their prayers and thoughts to you and Gary. It looks like he was loved by everybody that he met. Thanks for sending us the link.
Love,
Kay |
| Christina |
Posted - May 16 2005 : 3:23:50 PM
Dear Joyce,
I checked out the Web site. What a wonderful service! I really wish we had had this available when my mom was ill.
It's good to see you back and also good to hear you are getting back to work. I found work to be wonderful "therapy" both during mom's illness and after her death, and during all of my dad's illnesses, recent and past.
Please know Gary and you have been in my prayers and the prayers of others.
Peace,
Christina |
| Bookworm |
Posted - May 15 2005 : 9:20:51 PM
It's good to hear from you, Joyce, and especially to hear you say that you're OK, or as OK as anyone can be after such a difficult time. I hope that things will get better for you, day by day. I always look forward to your comments, so please stop in here as often as you feel able.
Your friend,
Mary
P.S. This might be the first time anyone has found a connection between Mohicanland and normality! |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - May 15 2005 : 12:01:42 PM
My dear friends,
Your kind words are so comforting. You really have no idea... Thank you so much to everyone.
It has been two weeks now. The dust is beginning to settle a little and I am doing OK. Even though my grieving process began 6 months ago, it is still pretty tough. I returned to work last Tuesday and I find that it is helping me quite a bit. It is almost a relief to be able to focus my attention on something other than the loss of Gary and the horrible past 6 months. I really feel as though it hasn't really hit me fully yet. When I hear or see something of interest, I catch myself thinking, "Oh! I must remember to tell Gary!" And then I remember.
I hope that I never, ever have to live through a period of time like that again. And this is not because of anything to do with me, other than the sorrow and grief I felt all the way through. This has to do entirely with watching someone you love become very ill and slowly die. I know that some of you here know exactly what I am talking about. It is plain and simply horrible.
I want to tell you all of a website that was a super help to me through Gary's illness. My stepdaughter-in-law told me about it. It is www.caringbridge.org. This is a site where anyone who has a family member who is ill with a life-threatening disease or condition can go and create a webpage about that person. The link, which is private, can be forwarded to all family members and friends to use as a way to stay updated about the loved one's progress. You create an attractive "home page", and make journal entries as often as you would like. Whenever I made a major journal entry, I sent out a brief email to everyone on my list telling them to go to the webpage. It saved me a lot of emailing and phone calling time. There is also a guestbook page where people can post messages, thoughts, greetings, etc. to the person. Gary went there every day to read the messages, and when he no longer could, I read them to him. The best part of all is that the service is free. They do have an option for donations, but there is no obligation and they do not ask you.
If you would like to take a look at Gary's page before I take it down, to see what it is like, go here: http://www3.caringbridge.org/ny/grandpa.gary/
Originally, I had a brief message of greeting and explanation on the home page. But after Gary died, I changed it to what you will now see. You can click on "read Journal history" and "view guestbook", to see what they are like. If you are at all interested in reading the journal, scroll all the way to the bottom of that page and read up.
This is a wonderful service that I wish I had known about earlier. I'm sure that Rich and Elaine would have liked to use it when our little Angel Sophia was fighting for her life.
Well, you will probably see me a little more often now. This place helps me to maintain my rather tentative grasp on normality, and for that I thank you all.
Love to everyone,
Joyce |
| Pen |
Posted - May 03 2005 : 2:52:38 PM
Wilderness Woman,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I can't think of anything to say that hasn't already been very eloquently expressed by all here, but I will add that you and yours are in my prayers.
Love,
Pen |
| Christina |
Posted - May 02 2005 : 12:31:18 PM
Joyce, I am so very sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Please know that he now rests in the arms of God and will always be with you and watching over you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. 
Christina |
| Doc M |
Posted - May 02 2005 : 12:16:25 PM
Oh, Joyce, I was so sorry to hear about Gary. My thoughts and prayers
are with you.
Love,
Mary |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - May 02 2005 : 07:56:56 AM
Dear Joyce,
I have been lax in my visits to our community here lately, but I feel that it is no excuse to be late in offering my deepest heart-felt condolences for the loss of your beloved Gary. I know that it does not lessen your pain, but please believe that God always calls the good people home for a reason. If you need to talk, you know how to reach me.
Your Friend,
The Sarge |
| Kate |
Posted - May 01 2005 : 10:01:52 PM
Dear Joyce,
I am so very deeply sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Gary. Knowing he is now safe and free from pain must give you some comfort but I know you will be devastated by your huge loss.
I can't think of a single thing that will make you feel better right now. But please know that, along with all your Mohicanland buddies, I too am with you in spirit, holding your hand and hugging you close at this sad, sad time.
Love,
Kate
|
| Bookworm |
Posted - May 01 2005 : 8:55:06 PM
Joyce, I'm so sorry to hear that your time together was shorter than you would have hoped. May you find some comfort in knowing that Gary is safe and at peace and free from pain forever, and that you are always in our thoughts and prayers. |
| securemann |
Posted - May 01 2005 : 12:46:08 PM
May the Lord welcome Gary into Paradise and may the Lord give comfort and peace to you Joyce and your family.God Bless. |
| misschanelno5 |
Posted - April 30 2005 : 5:03:46 PM
I am very sorry to hear this sad news and glad that Gary is free from his pain. My sympathy is heartfelt. |
| Chris |
Posted - April 30 2005 : 3:55:34 PM
Words are so inadequate to express our feelings after so great a loss. Please know I am thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.
Chris |
| Monadnock Guide |
Posted - April 30 2005 : 3:28:17 PM
My deepest condolences Joyce. |
| Stephanie |
Posted - April 30 2005 : 12:16:18 PM
So sorry for your loss. Know that all of us here in Mohicanland are praying for you and care about you.
Steph |
| Seamus |
Posted - April 30 2005 : 08:45:51 AM
I am so sorry, my friend...................may God rest his soul and may He be with you and your family. Hugs and love................
Mike |
| Carter |
Posted - April 30 2005 : 08:12:14 AM
Oh dear. I am so sorry to hear that. May God comfort and keep you and your family during this very sad time.
Blessings,
Carter |
| richfed |
Posted - April 30 2005 : 06:08:16 AM
Oh no ... I am deeply saddened by your loss, Joyce. I wish I was with you to give you a big, big hug. May Gary rest in Peace ... and may Peace find you, as well. I care about you, Joyce - know that! |
| Gadget Girl |
Posted - April 30 2005 : 03:20:30 AM
Dear, Dear Joyce,
I share in your grief at the loss of your precious Gary and send my love.
Diana |
| Fitz Williams |
Posted - April 30 2005 : 03:03:40 AM
That is very bad news. Our thoughts are with you always. |
| caitlin |
Posted - April 30 2005 : 12:25:49 AM
Joyce, I am so sorry for your loss.... I don't even know what to say....
Please know you are in my prayers and that I am also here for you.
love,
Caitlin
|
| Kaylynn44 |
Posted - April 29 2005 : 11:56:10 PM
Joyce,
May Gary rest in peace!!! I love you and am here for you. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers!!!
Love,
Kay |
| blueotter |
Posted - April 29 2005 : 11:55:03 PM
I have asked my Momma to Help watch over you and your beloved. My heart goes out to you! ~Rose |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - April 29 2005 : 10:46:40 PM
Gary Leo Bucci
February 15, 1941 ~ April 29, 2005 |
| Cherie |
Posted - April 27 2005 : 5:50:30 PM
I have not been out to the site in a very long time. I stopped by today because I had a few spare min. When I went back and read this entire post I was so sad. All I can say is "May the angels wings bring him home in the comfort he deserves" And " May God give you the peace you deserve".
You both are in our prayers
Cherie  |
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