If my tears could water the ground
and nourish the seed that sprouts
and grow the plant that bears fruit
this wouldn’t happen any more.
The ugly growth of metastasis would be no more.
The doctors would no longer say, “We did our best; we’ll keep you comfortable.”
There would be treatment.
There would be prevention.
There would be hope in this world,
and not only in the next.
I just learned that our beloved sister in mets Shelli Gibbons, author of The Dirty Pink Underbelly, died. I don’t have any words, really. I’m crying too much. I would like to leave you with Shelli’s penultimate post, dated October 1, 2013, “Dirty Pink Truth“.
Dirty Pink Truth by Shelli Gibbons, R.I.P.
There is no cure for breast cancer.Breast cancer kills when it metastisizes,(i.e. spreads to vital organs).30% of breast cancers diagnosed will metastasizeand 5-10% are metastatic at diagnosis.150,000 Americans are living w/ metastatic breast cancerand 40,000 will die this year…of metastatic breast cancer.AND YET…Approx 3% of cancer research funds are spentresearching metastatic cancer…the one that’s killing us.“Cancer is not a ribbon,a screening test,or a leisure activity.It is not a sassy t-shirt,a proclamation of survivorship,or a gift worth giving.It is a disease.”-Gayle Sulik, M.A. PhDA disease that still kills.A disease that kills virtually as many people today as it did in 1975.This is not progress.Early detection does not necessarily save lives.Mammograms are not prevention.It isn’t cute. It isn’t inspiring. It isn’t pink.
I wish there were something that I could say to comfort you. I know there isn’t. I’ve lost too many friends from breastcancer.org and the support group that I joined. It’s a personal affront each time they are told the cancer has returned, more so when they die. So today I will pray for your comfort. I’m sorry.
Thank you, Lisa. It’s the price we pay for the love and support we share. A terrible, terrible price.
♥ ♥
Love you.
Hugs KT. I am so sorry to see this post.
Thank you, Nelson.
Love to you and all whose lives were touched by Shelli. I miss her already. Thanks for this.
Love to you, Nancy. It is so hard to lose one of our own.
I am so sad to hear that Shelli died. Sending you love and hugs KT.
Thank you, Susan.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((from Texas with luv and support Knots)))))))))))))))))))))
Thanks for the hugs, Pipes!
That is so sad about Shelli. I followed her blog as well… When we make friends with cancer we have to learn to cope with their cancer journey as well… Hugs
That’s true, Caroline. Not easy.
Oh, yes. I turned to that same post of Shelli’s earlier this week, with a heart that ached with irony. Love you, Sweetie.
Oh KT, so sorry to hear you have been robbed of another friend by this curse.
{{{{hugs}}}} and prayers.
Maxine
I hate this Knot. I really do. I know your heart is breaking and I am so sorry.
You’re a good friend, Paula. Thank you.
KT…no words. Just understanding of grief & pain at great loss. And prayers for comfort & inner peace with the knowledge that your friend is now pain free & full of indescribable joy!
Thank you, Maria. Sometimes words are not what’s important.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I wish I knew what to say to make it better. I wish I lived a whole lot closer to be of some help to you. This is a horrible, horrible disease.
It’s awful. Thank you, Brin.
I am crying with you.
{{{{{Catherine}}}}}
So sorry Knot….”There would be hope in this world,
and not only in the next.”…yes, powerful.
Thanks, Nora. Friends help.
dear KT,
losing Shelli – such a deep ache of grief. thank you for paying honor to her with the post she wrote.
much love and light to comfort you,
Karen xxoo
Thank you, Karen.
My thoughts go to you and to everyone who loved her. Love. Saoul
Thank you so much, Saoul.
She spoke for us all. Rest in peace, Shelli.
Hugs and comfort to you Knots.
Amen.
The same to you, Elizabeth.
I cry with you and for Shelli’s family. Sending comfort and peace. We have lost so many. It just gets harder each time. Shelli’s words say so much and again they need to be heard.
Thank you, Christine. Yes, it just gets harder and harder.
Hugs.
I’m sorry, I just got back here. I’ll remove it.