When I met Lisa Kelly in late 2007 she was swearing. Justifiably furious about her ordeal with cancer diagnosis and treatment; disappointed in her level of medical care; afraid of what lie ahead; she thought she had beaten the disease but was raw from what she had been through.
Meanwhile, busy playing serene Frozen Pea princess, distracting myself with outreach, stupidly sure that I had a handle on what was happening with my own cancer and generally not understanding diddly squat, I made Lisa one of my favorite "adoptees".
Regardless of my cluelessness, Lisa took it in stride as I roped her into groups; recruited her for the Mothers With Cancer blog; and introduced her to "just one more thing" she didn't need to be taking on. She didn't swear at me even once. That alone had to take self control.
Over the past year we both had setbacks and surprises; ups and downs. As I struggled emotionally she showed amazing strength and will. Mother, wife, friend, truth teller and medical knowledge compendium, she battled when she could and gracefully accepted reality as cancer took its course. Through it all, she was one tough cookie.
Lisa lost her battle with cancer on Friday February 27, 2009 a little before midnight.
Somehow I imagine we'll get through the loss of the funny, smart, irreverent soul that was Lisa; perhaps by remembering the blessing that is her new freedom from pain.
In my struggle to accept the shortened lifespan I've been dealt, I'll do my best to let Lisa - who was young enough to be my daughter - guide me in putting it in perspective. No way can I ever hope to do it as well as she did.
And if she doesn't have a special place in heaven tonight there's something wrong with the system.
Lisa sounds like a wonderful, memorable woman. I'm sorry we've lost her and I'm sure she'll be missed and remembered for a long time.
Posted by: laurak | Feb 28, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Susan!!!
Great to see you blogging again! I was worried! It's been such a long time long since your last post! I hope you have been well!
Peace
Brian
Posted by: Brian Walin | Mar 01, 2009 at 12:46 AM
Hi Susan. This is my first time posting. I happened to come across your YouTube video about the mastectomy camisole. Would you be willing to email me the brand name? My son's preschool teacher just discovered she has ILC and I would like to buy one for her. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Your videos are very informative.
Posted by: Jonalee | Mar 18, 2009 at 01:52 PM
Beautiful post. It's great to see a new post from you!
Posted by: Jennifer Eastman | Apr 08, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Hey Miss Susan..
It is marvelous to see you post again. You are a hero to one and all.
Darla *calendar girl*
Posted by: Darla | Apr 11, 2009 at 07:19 PM
I just found your blog via the article in the post about Twitter, Susan. This is quite off topic of Lisa, so first let me say I'm so sorry that another light has been dimmed.
This quote struck me from your post: "Meanwhile, busy playing serene Frozen Pea princess, distracting myself with outreach, stupidly sure that I had a handle on what was happening with my own cancer and generally not understanding diddly squat, I made Lisa one of my favorite "adoptees"."
Do you believe having gone through what you have, that it is exactly that distraction of outreach that kept you going and helped you through your experience? Would your own battle have been more/less difficult without the outside project you had going on? Just curious. I think it sounds like such a wonderful thing to be focused on that it makes me very interested to know if something like this can't do anything BUT help a person going through this journey?
Posted by: Keri | Jul 09, 2009 at 07:18 PM