Eric,

I was saddened to hear the news about your sister. I consider you one of the hero�s here on this board and your fighting spirit has inspired me on more than one occasion.

It is hard to understand the pain that drives some to suicide, but I know it is very deep and intense as I have a brother who barley survived an attempt a few years ago.

My thoughts are with you.

Kelly

Oh Eric- I am so sorry. Suicide is so hard to understand. I htink that for whatever reason- emotional termoil- overwhelming sadness or dissapointment that just consumes someone or a chemical imbalance at the moment the person feels there is no other choice to make. It doesn't make sense but for that person it seems the only way out at that moment in time. I'm sure that this must be heartbreaking for you and your family. As difficult as it may be I hope that you will only have happy memories of her time here with you on earth.

I'm so very glad your hear that your surgeries went well and that you are making progress. You've sure been through a tough time with all of this and this doesn't make it any easier I am sure. Wishing you a very successful recovery and peaceful and healthy 2010. You deserve it!

Sincerely,

KATE

Eric

So sorry to hear about your sister. Depression is also a terrible disease, in many ways worse than Cancer since no one expects you to just "cheer up" to cure cancer.
The subject line of your post evokes this year's Bob Dylan album's (Together Through Life) final track: It's All Good
[quote]
Brick by brick, they tear you down.
A teacup of water is enough to drown.
You oughta know, if they could, they would
Whatever goin' down, it's all good.[/quote]
The rest of the song has that same ironic quality that seems fitting. I lost my younger brother over 22 years ago and still miss him terribly. There are no words I know to comfort you.
Charm

I want to thank everyone for their kind words, they mean so much to me. This forum means so much to me.

I find strength in the warriors on this forum that fight to the end...like sobradley who lost her fight...but fought with heart and determination. Those are who I mourn for, the people that chose to face death down and spit in its face even if it takes them.

To hell with cancer, I'll continue to fly my middle fingers to this disease and it's life altering effects to the day I'm put to rest.

Thanks again my friends and brothers and sisters in arms.

Eric

Eric,

I just read your post about your sister. She was so young � such a waste. I�m so sorry that you and your family have to face this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Eric,

Sorry to hear about your sister. If I had one wish this Christmas, it would be: that you infect readers and posters needing the same attitude you have towards life, considering the situations you've faced.

You, as well as others, certainly exemplify Commandment #'s 6 to 8, of "The Ten Commandments for Cancer Survival":

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6. Thou shalt be a comfort to thy fellow-cancerites, providing knowledge, encouragement, understanding and love. You shalt give them hope where there may be none, for only in hope lies their salvation. And by doing so, thou providest comfort for thyself, as well.

7. Thou shalt never relinquish hope, no matter how thou may feelest at that moment, for thou knowest, in the deep recesses of thy heart, that thy discouragement is but fleeting and that a better day awaits thee, perhaps tomorrow, perhaps the day after tomorrow - but certainly it shall come.

8. Thou shalt not regard thy ailment as the sum total of thy life but as merely a part of it. Fill your life with other diversions, be they mundane, daring, altruistic, or merely amusing. To fill your life with your ailment is to surrender to it.
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Jojo

Eric,
i am so very sorry for the loss of your sister. my prayers are with u and ur family at this difficult time.

i lost my older brother to suicide on dec 13 several years ago. i have spent soo much time asking why??? and even more time mad as heck. when there was so many people that loved him so much. there isnt any answer out there. u can drive urself crazy trying to figure it out. the one thing i know is u will never figure it out and u will never truly know why.

there isnt anything i can say that will make u feel any better, trust me, i know. but please know that i feel your pain. it will never pass, but will get easier with time.

please accept my virtual hug XXX and know that i am praying for you and wishing u peace.

u are a huge inspiration to me on this site.

teresa