skip to main content
Get Ideas
Discussions
Houzz TV
Houzz Research
Sign In
Join as a Pro
Houzz Pro: One simple solution for contractors and design pros
Join as a Pro
Houzz Logo Print
Explore Discussions
Cooking
sooz_gw

I've been crying all week

16 years ago

My BFF Corine passed away this week. She and I would always go out to our favorite local sushi restaurant, and I'd post photos on the Cooking forum of the food. We tried to celebrate all this year with lunch out because it was my first year being retired. She'd been retired for a few years already.

Corine and I go way back to 1975 when we both ended up working at the same school, we're both October babies who majored in English, she was a bridesmaid in my wedding, and even when my program was moved to a different high school and then I was switched to the MH Program, we continued our friendship and she was the speechie for my program. Corine always had some problems with asthma but meds took care of that pretty well. She had breast cancer, a double mastectomy and follow up chemo, and was looking forward to celebrating her 5-year anniversary of being cancer-free this October.

On May 18, she was having problems breathing (asthma) and ended up in ER. They released her but on the 19th, she was in ER again, and they admitted her and ran some tests because she couldn't breathe right and she was really tired and just wanted to sleep.

The doctors told her she had leukemia. That threw us all for a loop, but she was positive as always, and said she'd like to get another 5 years out of it. The docs said it was treatable, so she was back on some kind of chemo but they wouldn't release her from the hospital yet.

Then, earlier this week, she was having problems breathing again, took off her "face" oxygen mask to use the bathroom, and had a stroke. They did a CT scan and it showed that it was a small stroke. It affected a bit of her sentences, but she was oriented fine to the baseball game on TV and to the guys up at bat and communicated in short words/phrases. She was going to have a MRI later that evening. Coe ended up in ICU and took a bad turn with her oxygen levels, and they had tubes going in and out of her, including a tube down her throat for breathing and she was well medicated against that discomfort. We all thought once things got better and she was more stabilized with her breathing, they'd take out the tube.

Her MRI came back showing multiple lesions on her brain. She went from bad to worse and I guess the docs said there was no coming back from this. Her life partner of 33 years, and her sister, were there when they pulled out the breathing tube, and within 30 minutes, she was gone.

I still can't believe it. It just doesn't seem possible. I find myself picking up the phone to call her, or telling myself oh, I'll have to tell this to Coe, or thinking that we better set up some time for lunch this month.

I know most of us have lost someone dear to us, and I know that as time passes, I'll handle the grief better, but for now, it's rough. I'm asking you to please hold a good thought and keep all of us who loved her in your prayers. She was a wonderful, remarkable, supportive, encouraging and loving friend and I'll miss her dearly every day of my life.

Comments (37)

Related Stories
BEDROOMSNew This Week: 3 Bed, Nightstand and Wall Combos You’ve Got to Try
By Mitchell Parker
Whether you prefer moody, minimalist or sunny, these 3 bedrooms uploaded to Houzz recently are exercises in stylish harmony
Full Story
20
PRODUCT PICKSGuest Picks: You've Been Served
By Kristin Guy | Dine X Design
Serving utensils that complement every entertaining style can elevate even an everyday meal to a memorable event
Full Story
3
UNIVERSAL DESIGNKitchen of the Week: Good Looking and Accessible to All
By Jeannie Matteucci
Universal design features and sustainable products create a beautiful, user-friendly kitchen that works for a homeowner on wheels
Full Story
93
KITCHEN DESIGNNew This Week: Moody Kitchens to Make You Rethink All-White
By Mitchell Parker
Not into the all-white fascination? Look to these kitchens for a glimpse of the dark side
Full Story
156
BASEMENTSBasement of the Week: A Creative Space for Kids and Storage for All
By Becky Harris
With mudroom organizers, laundry and a well-organized space for crafts, this basement puts a Massachusetts home in balance
Full Story
90
KITCHEN DESIGNKitchen of the Week: New Surfaces Cover All the Style Bases
By Vanessa Brunner
Stripped and done anew in marble, milk glass and wood, this Brooklyn kitchen has fresh midcentury appeal
Full Story
21
FEEL-GOOD HOME12 Very Useful Things I've Learned From Designers
By Becky Harris
These simple ideas can make life at home more efficient and enjoyable
Full Story
253
DECORATING GUIDESThe Dumbest Decorating Decisions I’ve Ever Made
By Fred Albert
Caution: Do not try these at home
Full Story
375
EVENTS5 Big Trends From This Week’s High Point Market
By Becky Harris
Learn the colors, textures and shapes that are creating a buzz in interior design at the market right now
Full Story
89
EXTERIOR COLORExterior Color of the Week: Bewitching Black
By Jennifer Ott Design
Think you’ve got what it takes to pull off this bold, trendy color choice for exteriors?
Full Story
78
Sponsored
More Discussions
What do you eat when it's REALLY hot?
30
Bone broth help needed
3
Sigh. I bought some ice cream...
16
National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, Anyone?
10
Have you made fruit leather? Any tips?
3