Message from Meghan, Suesan's daughter

Suesan Gail LaVoie-Gardner
2/8/57-2/16/10


On Tuesday, February 16th at 2:00AM, my mom lost her battle with cancer.

In late January she found that the cancer had spread to her liver. Dr. L put her on a new chemotherapy program. She had her first treatment on 2/4. She spent the next week recovering.

Her next chemotherapy session was scheduled for 2/11. Blood tests indicated that her liver was not functioning properly and she was admitted to Shadyside Hospital. Tests showed a blockage that was causing severe jaundice. She was supposed to get a stint to remove the blockage in her liver but it was soon discovered that her kidneys had ceased to function. An MRI revealed that the cancer had taken over half of her liver.

On Monday (2/15) we were told that with treatment, her condition would likely not improve. They said that she had a few days to a week left. We did what we could to make her comfortable. That night, she passed away in her sleep. None of us, including her, expected it to happen so quickly. As you know, this year and a half wasn't the best. We are making our way through this by remembering who she really was and not letting her death define her. You can view an album of pictures from her life, here. (link updated on 2/18/10, it should work now.)

There will be a memorial mass on Saturday, February 20th, 2010 at 12:30PM at St. James Catholic Church in Sewickley, PA. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. James Catholic Elementary School in her name.

There will also be a memorial service in Chicago, IL on Saturday February 27th, 2010 at 10:00AM at St. Alphonsus Church in Prospect Heights.

I will be logging into mom's facebook page to keep all of you up to date.

Thanks,
Meghan
snatchkom@gmail.com

Lots of stuff has happened

On January 4th, I called the cancer center and spoke with Dr. Puhalla's aide. She told me that the spot hadn't materialized like they thought it would. At this point I'm still waiting.

On Friday, January 8th, NationalLink awarded their second Peer-to-Peer award. This is where a co-worker nominates someone else for special recognition. I won the award On Friday for the month of December.

I had been having a persistent nagging cough the past few weeks and thought it was a sinus infection. On Saturday, while at work, I stood up and it felt like I had been punched in the kidney. When I sat down, I felt fine. Saturday night, I had a fever. On Monday, I called the cancer center and they told me to go in to the ER. I thought I had a sinus infection and kidney infection. I was stressed that it would keep me out of the trial.

Turns out I have pneumonia and a blood clot in my lung. I was admitted into the hospital on Monday, the 11th, and should go home tomorrow, the 14th. My breathing is much better. I have to give myself two shots a day for the next 2 months or so with an anti-coagulant.

I also had them look at my shoulder thst was giving me pain off and on. They gave me a prescription pain-killer and suggested massage. Apparently I have a big knot.

The last thing was that I was given a different anti-depressant. It seems to help, at least more than Zoloft.

The thing I was worried about the most was whether or not this would stop me from getting into the trial. The Physician assistant for the admitting doctor checked for me and it won't. Whew!

So, I'm sitting here in my private room (thank god), deciding what to order for dinner and thinking about taking a walk around the corner to see if I see any babies in the nursery on this floor.

I'm feeling pretty good. Good night peoples.