My Friend Jo

[spudmom]

Hello friends here, I have not posted for a very long time. Too much of life getting in the way I am afraid. I would like to thank all of you for your support in the past, all the advice, all the prayers, all the friendship across the miles.

My last posts were about my friend Jo, at that time she was diagnosed with breast cancer, back in May, 2008.

For Jo, who is the most remarkable person I have ever known, all the ups and downs were met with grace, love, faith, and laughter.

We were first told she had metastatic breast cancer, stage 4, no prognosis, and at least 36 different chemo drugs to be used. I am not kidding when I say they ran through all those drugs, many are in "groups" and a patient can only have just so much of a group, so on to the next set of drugs.

Along the way, it was finally decided she was at a point to have a
mastectomy, Jo made the decision to have both breasts removed, bounced back from that surgery and resulting chest wall radiation, only for the doctors to find the cancer in her brain, so on to full brain radiation, and then back on chemo.

The interesting thing we found out during this time, Jo actually had IBC, inflammatory breast cancer,and was among the 3% of patients that respond to any treatment whatsoever. In fact, the prognosisis is six months from diagnosis. We saw the 3% result as a true miracle.

Also along the way, Emma, her first grandchild, grew from a baby to a beautiful 6 year old, Ephraim followed and is now almost 4, and following up in the rear was Reed, who is 20 months old. Oh, number 4 is arriving next May!

We knew at the first of this year things were not going well, the cancer started growing again, chemos were shuffled around in hopes that it would help, radiation was done on her right hip because of the pain in the bones there.

And finally the doctors agreed it was time for hospice to be called in.

But in true Jo fashion, everything was done the way she wished. She had a "bucket list" of things to do, one being one last family reunion in the mountains north of Boise, and that wish was granted by an organization by the name of Wish Granters, they found a mountain home that a wonderful Basque family donated for 4 days to Jo! That made lasting memories for Jo and her family.

Nine days ago, Jo was moved to her sister's home, her wish, to die there.

Once again, family and friends were with her, all the way.

Jo left us a week ago today, and her funeral was this Monday, she was buried at our beautiful new Veterans Cemetery, to be joined some day by her husband. Jo had planned her funeral, down to the knat's eyelash! Music, speakers, and a balloon release at the end at the cemetery for the little kids there.

Jo led the way for all of us, all the way on this journey. I can not even begin to tell you all the memories we all have of Jo, her journey through cancer, and her triumph of spirit.

So to my friend Jo, I do not say goodbye, I say:

I love you, see you later my friend.

Lynne
"A day hemmed in prayer never unravels"

[Susie]

Lynne, I remember you writing about Jo a long time ago and what a lovely tribute you have written about her today. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend but isn't it wonderful when people we love show us the way to live each day and leave us in such a gracefilled way. Thank you for taking the time to tell us about her. She must have been a lovely friend to have and the memories and lessons she taught so many will never be forgotten. Take care and hugs,
Susie

[WeeOne]

Lynne, So glad to see you post. You have such good memories of Jo. If you become sad, remember to Celebrity! Jo's life. Sounds like that is what she would want.
God Bless,
Lyn

[Chidamoyo]

Lynne, Its had to believe it was just 10 days ago that Jo was moved to her sisters. I know you will miss her so much. You were there for her through her treatments. I know she was as blessed as you to be there for her. You and her family will be in my prayers. Thanks friend for posting the wonderful tribute to her.

Rita

[purrfect-lady]

Lynne, my heartfelt sympathies on the loss of your good friend. What a beautiful tribute you've written about her. Jo truly accomplished a lot through her illness, touching so many around her. What a blessing she was in your life and the lives of so many others. and I'm sure you were an equal joy in hers. Thank you for coming back and letting us know. I do remember when you first told us about her. Bless you and her family.

Mary

[Ittybittygma]

My dear friend, Lynne, I am so sorry to hear about your loss of JO. It was so hard to read your beautiful tribute to her thru the tears on my face. Since I have met you in person, I know what a kind and caring friend you can be. Jo was as blessed by you as much as you were inspired and blessed by her.

May God be with you and also her family and bring comfort and peace in this time of sadness. I know you have many many wonderful memories of JO. Tuck them in your heart and bring them out anytime you feel sad and lonely. Now things that remind you of her will bring tears but, in time, they will bring a smile, a happy memory, and then you can look up to the heavens and say Thank you Jo for being my friend.

Lynne, please watch for butterflies and rainbows. Everytime I have lost loved ones, butterflies appear in my life, a reminder of someone above. I always thought they were little guardian angels in my life.

And rainbows, even pieces of rainbows, remind me that God is by my side, promising me that everything will be ok. He is watching over us, and when we are too weary to walk, He will carry us thru until we can again feel strong and able to carry on.

May God bless you today and all your tomorrows. Wish I could be there at your side to bring you hugs, support, a shoulder to cry on, and an ear to listen as you pour out your words of a broken and sad heart. I would fix you some tea or something, and just be there for you. Again, you have my deepest sympathy and all my hugs and love I can send. Thank you for posting the legacy of your dear friend, JO.

With tears of love for you, Shirley Mae ps May you and all JO's loved ones be surrounded with many angels of support.

[suzette58]

Lynne -
Your message gave me chills. I know cancer is a horrible disease but your friend handled it with such grace. Cherish the memories that you have of her. She sounds like a wonderful person.

Suzette

[Becca]

Lynne What a beautiful tribute to Jo.She was a special friend I know.She touched lives & may the memories you have give you comfort.God bless you........Becca

[ollie1shoe]

What a touching story of love and determination thank you for sharing it with us. I am a cancer survivor myself and it is a wonderful touching story so happy you had such a good friend as Jo
So sorry for your loss