More Losses Than We Can Bear!

The past couple of days have brought some news to all of us trying to stay alive that has made us realize that every day counts. You truly have to live each day to the fullest, in the happiest and healthiest way you can.

We have lost Georgia Brenda. I met her after she had read my blog about the Mott Charitable Trust. She e-mailed me privately and told me what a worthy endeavor I was doing by helping others. She then went on to say in a post to the PH group that she had gone and made out her will and felt better for doing it and she suggested that we all needed to do that, no matter what our health situation is or was.

Well, Brenda passed away alone and as members of the PH group, Colleen, a lovely young lady, volunteered to keep everyone's phone numbers and addresses and if someone wasn't showing up on-line, then we would proceed to contact them by phone, etc. to make sure that they were alright. This is truly a lifeline and it indeed went into effect only to find that our Georgia Brenda was gone. What a courageous, kind and uplifting woman.

A thank you goes to Colleen for keeping track of all of us and doing her best to make sure everyone in the PH family is doing well. She is a gem.

News came from Frank from the WG site about his dedicated employee, Dana. You may recall that Dana's boss, Frank, went to bat for him for his insurance that his company wanted to cancel on him after working for them for 30+ years. His news was not good. We have lost yet another wonderful person to this dreadful disease. Please read Frank's e-mail. It behooves us to follow Frank's advice, even me.

Hi to all,
I had posted a question a while ago about one of my employees being diagnosed with WG. He has since passed as of Mon. I think that he waited to long to be diagnosed. He was a proud man and did not like the hospital and did not like to exhibit weakness. He will be missed by myself and all the other employees at our plant. He was very dedicated to his job and worked for the company for 38 yrs of his life.

I wanted to know if anyone would like to send a card to his surviving wife as a show of support. I had suggested this discussion group to him a few times while visiting him over the past three months but he was a very proud man and felt he needed to face this alone.I appreciate all of the responses I received back from my post. His wife's name is Regina Knight and there address is: Box 81 Patterson Hill rd. Belfast Me 04915. They just celebrated 21 yrs together on 7/25.

He was a very nice person and it sucks that this happened to him. I am sorry to have brought this somber news to all but think it would be important enough to mention for people in our lives that may not seek help soon enough to prevent what has happened to Dana. Thank all of you and anyone who has been diagnosed please keep fighting for you have people who love you.

Frank's suggestions are right on. If you are not feeling well, get yourself to the doctor's pronto. Secondly, do what needs to be done. Thirdly, surround yourself with people who care about you and will support you in your time of need. Frank is a stellar example of this. He researched WG and found us for his employee, Dana. Fourthly, have faith that you will persevere and keep a positive attitude. Fifthly, make sure that the people you associate with are positive, too. Positivity feeds off of positivity. It is much easier to be negative than positive. You have to decide if your cup of life is half full or half empty. Life depends on your point of view.

I already sent a card out to Frank's employee's wife this morning. I do not know her, but our support of her by a card of sympathy will surely let her know that we are thinking of her. Our weggie colleagues are sending their support in cards, e-mails, etc. What a fantastic group. Always willing to help others. Doesn't get better than that.

Next, is our Mason. He is a young man that has been through more than I can even begin to explain. Despite this, he is the kindest, upbeat, sweetheart, helpful young man that you could ever imagine meeting. If I had a daughter, Mason would be my son-in-law hands down. He is truly an inspiration. At this time, our Mason is experiencing chronic rejection of his double lung transplant. He is back on oxygen and headed back to LA, where his first doctors that treated him are. He is hoping that they can help him. It sounds like he will have to go through a grueling process of having his blood cleansed somehow. All I know is that Mason is positive, never complains and just goes about his business in a positive manner. We adore our Mason. The PH group has adopted him as our own. I've tried to call him several times these past two weeks. Now, I know why he wasn't picking up. So, my heart and prayers go out to Mason.

Please join me in praying for Georgia Brenda, Dana and his beloved family and our Mason, who needs the best of care.

May you heed the advice of Frank, who has gone the extra 5 miles for his employee and his family. In these times, Frank ,as the boss, is the exception of what a true boss should be. Dana was blessed to have Frank on his side and I know that Frank felt the same way about Dana.