Tuesday, May 09, 2006

My best friend Frances..

A year ago today my best friend lost her battle with GBM, Glioblastoma Multiforme, its as much of an arsehole as cancer can be, it is very aggressive and strikes you down no matter what your gender, job, or lifestyle is.
My friend was convinced it got her because she was too much of a thinker from a very young age, she was a graduate of many a University course from the USA. Frances grew up in the lovely seaside town of Carmel, California. Eventualy Frances moved to teach at the International School of Kuala Lumpur.. employed as the head Librarian and English teacher there . Then she moved to Australia which is where I met her. We got along like a house on fire from word GO. Four months later she was diagnosed with GBM after having passed out and becoming forgetful and getting intense headaches too. She was nursed for most of the time at the hospital I work at. It was great to be able to see her alot, during my breaks and after work too. Then she moved to a palliative care facility.
She had a 16 month, which is longer than usual, battle with the disease. She passed away just shy of her 48th Birthday. The world is not a better place at all from having lost her as she contributed so much to everyone in her life. She still had more to give aswell. It is what pisses me off when people moan about their life situation wehn they are actualy quite healthy and DO have an option as to what their future holds. Frances had no choice, yet one choice she made was to not be bitter, to take each day as it came.
For me, memories are the greatest gift I have in life.. of her. So Frances, I think of you every day and I will be coming over to give you the first lilly that decided to come up in my garden for the season. Just as it did last year on this day. "Laugh, Live and Love", cannot do better than that..oh yes, and of course EAT, LOL. Franny loved her food, just have to sample everything there is out there.
Love ya chicken!! Cazzie

5 comments:

Unknown said...

what a lovely tribute to an obviously wonderful woman

Unknown said...

oh btw I'd love to let you read my blog but you didn't leave me your email address in the contact form you sent to me! :)

LanternLight said...

"Quem di diligunt adolescens moritur."

It's the evil bastards that seem to live forever ...

Cazzie!!! said...

Why thankyou Mrs Diamond honey, and welcome to my blog!
Yes indeedy Lantern tis so true!!

Anonymous said...

If this is the one that grows tenticles into the brain. My Oma died of it 10yrs ago.

It's a horrible disease. Her first seisure was Labour Day (beginning of Sept), her last mid Jan.

S.