Feb 10 2009
Hail, & Farewell
Yesterday was about emergency dental work, stabilizing a wisdom tooth that had cracked and preparing me for the idea of oral surgery.
Today is about mourning an online acquaintance who has been fighting to live long enough to get a double lung transplant. Jenn had CF (Cystic Fibrosis) which is an AWFUL way to live, and from what I hear a death sentence if you don’t get a transplant by the time you’re 30 or so. She was my age, and no transplant so… I can’t find a picture, despite looking as hard as I could, but the thing I’ll remember most is her wedding dress. She loved mine so much that she went and had the vendor make the same dress, just strapless and with a sapphire train, mine was garnet. She looked so beautiful in that dress when it came in and she tried it on. She was so excited! As far as I know, that’s the only time she got to wear it and that bothers me so much. She bought it with the hope that she’d get married before she died. I can only imagine how Andy and her family is coping right now.
Farewell to Jenn, she of the blinkies and consumate shopping. She was so much to so many… daughter and helpmate, friend, advocate, knitter and crocheter. I was supposed to meet she and her boyfriend at Rhinebeck a couple of years ago, but it never happened, though I looked everywhere. I’m kicking myself now.
I like to think that at least she doesn’t have to worry about lung bleeds and PICs, losing too much weight and extended hospital stays. But there was so much more she had to do yet and that makes me angry. People shouldn’t have to suffer like that, and she did suffer, but that’s the way of things, I know. She was really brave, and an advocate for CF. May she know peace, and painfree forevers, if there’s an ever after. If not, well, at least it’s over.
Sorry, I had to post about this, it felt wrong to let her death go by unremarked and post instead about pretty yarn.
February 10th, 2009 at 9:47 am
So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. My friend’s daughter was diagnosed with CF shortly after being born two years ago. I hope that advancement is made in the treatment of this disease by the time she is grown. No one should have to live with that kind of suffering, I agree.
February 10th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I’m sorry for your loss. May she rest in peace and may her loved ones find comfort. ~ksp
February 10th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I’m sorry for your loss. I had an acquaintance I only knew through paper mail that even though she got a lung transplant, didn’t last long as her body started rejecting it. I hope things improve for others in the future.
February 10th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I’m so sorry, Tina – this sucks.
February 12th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I corresponded with her a bit in the earlier days of my blog. So sad to hear of her passing.
February 15th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about Jenn. My friend Jennie is currently vented in ICU waiting for a second double lung transplant. It is never easy for any transplant patients, but CF is particularly harsh. Comfort for you and Jenn’s family.