My Sister and Elizabeth Edwards

13 years ago

My sister, Betty, also battled cancer for many years. She ended up with liver cancer. When this was discovered she had a long talk with her doctor. Betty decided to not have any more treatments. The doctor told her that if it were his Mother he would advise her this way, too. Betty went home and was doing well for a short time. This was in August. We knew in our hearts this would be our last holiday with her. This was not meant to be. Suddenly things turned. I live about an hour away and drove up each evening to spend time with her. As I saw her getting worse I packed my bags and told my hubby I would be home when it was over. She died September 4th, 2005 on our daughter's 27th birthday.

We were all by her side for several days. She talked to all of us. We always wanted all of us in the room with her.

If one of us left she always knew and asked where we were. She talked to all of us up until about the last hour. Suddenly in the late afternoon she stopped breathing.. She was pain free the whole time.

Betty loved to read. She had a small library in her town. The ladies there took track of what she had read. They would get books ready for her and her hubby would take the books back and bring new ones home to her. She also was homebound due to arthritis. When she passed there was $15,000 donated by family and friends to the library..

Although it is very hard to lose an loved one it was wonderful to see she did not live in horrible pain to the end. It made it so much easier to let her go. Betty loved her flowers and getting out when she could. Her hubby always made sure her flowerbeds were pretty and often brought her flowers in to her. The vase is still sitting the same place on the table by her chair. Her grandaughter brings daisies in and puts them in the vase in the summer. She always remembers Grandma loved daisies. I see her in Heaven picking flowers and taking bouquets to people. I know she is having a wonderful painfree life and I look forward to seeing her someday. We will be picking flowers together.

The most wonderful thing is memories are forever.

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Comments (11)

lynn_d
13 years ago
Susie, your posting is a beautiful tribute to the love and life that was your sister. What a wonderful legacy she leaves with you. Thank you for sharing a bit of her with me.

I think that the part of Elizabeth Edwards that I respect the most is that she never permitted any of her tragedies define her life. It would have been so easy to allow that to happen.
dotmom
13 years ago
I'm so sorry about the passing of your Sister. That damn cancer is a horrific and nondiscrimination disease. The passing of Elizabeth must have brought many memories back to you. It doesn't matter how much time has passed, news like this brings the pain back. We lost our precious Daughter-in-law a year ago in June. Although the pain has eased some, the empty feeling will probably be there until i join her. I send you (((((Hugs))))) and wish you Peace.
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susie53_gw
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you Dotmom and Lynn. I truly feel like I am standing there with them having been there myself.

When Betty got her computer we used to IM each evening. Oh, how I miss those chats with her. She was my oldest sister and always was teaching me so much. She loved our children so much. They miss her, too.
Marilyn Sue McClintock
13 years ago
Just big hugs to you (((((Susie)))))

Sue
susanjf_gw
13 years ago
did anyone hear she had donated organs for medical research? dh heard it on the radio but havn't seen or heard confermation...that takes alot of courage...
alisande
13 years ago
Susie, that's a beautiful story. I agree: Someday the two of you will pick flowers together.
susie53_gw
Original Author
13 years ago
Yes, I heard that. She also took place in a new experimental program dealing with why some are cured and other are not.
kacram
13 years ago
(((((((Susie)))))))))))
thank you for sharing a lovely story
Charlee_MO
13 years ago
(Susie)
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.

My dear, sweet, wonderful, amazing Glen died from liver cancer 5/05/2009.

Charlotte
susie53_gw
Original Author
13 years ago
Charlotte, you are so right. It definately is a heartache one one can heal but the memories truely do last forever. I have a whole boat load of them with her and I am so grateful.

I am sorry to hear about your lose of your wonderful, Glen.

Susie
juellie1962
13 years ago
Wow; there are some beautiful memories you all have. I am one of the lucky ones; have not been touched by cancer up close and personally, (heart disease yes, cancer, no).
I'm sorry for ALL your losses. I can't imagine the pain of seeing a loved one suffer. At least heart disease took my dad QUICKLY, painlessly.

My Sister and Elizabeth Edwards

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