mhutch1366 Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I received a message from Francine's husband Giles. Francine passed July 28, 2005, in the early evening. This is his letter: Dear friends of BlueBayou, My dear sweetest loving wife, Francine, died at 6:30 pm on July 28th, just two days before her 57th birthday. She was informed on Wednesday July 13th that Tarceva, which she had been on for about two months was not working and that the tumours in her neck, chest and abdomen were very much larger. Her oncologist said he had no more tricks up his sleeve and so with heavy heart and in a bit of shock we headed back to our apartment. Over the next two days she deteriorated very rapidly and she was admitted to the palliative unit at Elizabeth bruyere Hospital in Ottawa on Saturday the 16th. It was the last two weeks of her life that really defined Francine as a person. She accepted that she was going to die and set about making it easier for all of her loved ones and friends. She ambraced God and Jesus and clearly indicated that she was anxious to get to heaven and see her father again. She asked only that she die in dignity and with no pain and I can say that got her wishes. In fact, the nurse looking after her loved and admired her so much that she gave her a bubble bath the morning of her death. Literally, she held court towards the end of the first week, calling everyone in and either speaking words of encouragement or saying wonderfully kind things to all. Her humour was unbelievably refreshing. For instance on Saturday after seeing thirteen people throughout the day and into the wee hours of the morning and having prepared herself for death, she exclaimed to me upon waking the next day (I slept beside her that night) "Oh shi_, I am still alive". At another point when my daughter was singing to her and I was feeding her an iced cappuccino, and her sister was massaging her legs she sighed and said " this is the best death ever". Francine had no regrets, she lived her life exactly as she wanted, travelling the world and experiencing the wonders of different countries and cultures. She and I raised a wonderful, loving and independent daughter who is strong of spirit and generous of heart. Francine and I loved each other with a strength that will endure forever. I will miss her so very very much. I hope that I have done this right and that you can share this with all her friends whom she came in contact with on this website. If anyone of you wish to express your thoughts about her please send them to her yahoo e-mail address globetrotter6_ca@yahoo.com which I will check regularly. Thanks Gilles, her hubby _________________ Dx NSCLC Stage IIA Feb 03. Lobectomy upper right lung. No chemo or radiation. Observation only. Mets to the bone (spine) Sept 03 Mets to adrenal gland Oct 03 5 days of radiation finished Oct 03 New CT scans and MRI show mets to gland, bone and to brain Whole Brain Radiation: 4-17 Dec 03 Chemo (Cisplatin/Taxotere) Jan 04 Stereotactic radiosurgery Jan 04 CT Scans Brain/Chest/Abd (Mets to brain & glands gone) Loss of hearing Apr 04 - restored June 04 after surgery MRI upper spine May 04 results inconclusive MRI/CT scans indicate mets to spine (C6/C7) Jul 04 Surgery to upper spine Jul 04 Chemo trmts Carboplatin/Taxotere begin Sep 04 CT Scans brain/neck/chest/abd Nov 04 results indicate no mets to brain/chest or abd/neck stable and tumour on adrenal gland slightly reduced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I am so sad to learn of Francine's passing. She has been missed on the board I am sure will be missed in this world. The message posted is one of the most beautiful and inspiring accounts of courage and faith I have ever heard and I am so very grateful for the posting. It brings me tremendous comfort to hear that she was feeling such peace, love and happiness in her transition to heaven. I am thankful to her family for the unselfish act of sharing the account of her last weeks with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I am so sorry to hear this. I did not know Francine, but I know that many of you did and loved her. To you, I must express my condolences. What a beautifully written letter accounting Francine's spirit, courage, love and humor. She had an amazing husband it seems as well. I am sorry for this loss of a good woman. Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 I didn't know Francine but what a beautiful soul is conveyed through that letter! Thank you to her husband for his generosity in sharing it, and I pray for his comfort and peace. I have no doubt Francine has found hers. xoxo amie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 To die with dignity, grace, humor and peace....is surely the best way to go. And Francine couldn't have left any better than she did. I'm saddened to know that not hearing from her in a while means what it means....but I'm grateful to Gilles for sharing what he did of her passing, as I just hope that someday I can do it with the same "style" Francine showed. Godspeed, Blue Bayou. Your user name always reminded me of one of my favorite songs - the Linda Ronstadt version. Now, though, when I think of Blue Bayou...I'm also going to remember you saying..."Oh sh*t, I am still alive"!! And then I will smile in fond remembrance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 My bayou is very blue today. Such a shock! Thanks, Gilles, for your beautiful note to us. May God be with you and your daughter. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAnn Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 This news has saddened me so deeply. She was a wonderful source of support here and will be missed. To Giles, your words were so beautiful, so full of love and admiration for your wife, it brought tears to my eyes. My deepest appreciation for sharing with all of us her last days and the courage and dignity she demonstrated. May God Bless your Family. TAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Below,the last we heard posted in January, thanks so much for the message of what happened to our Francine. Donna G PS Her last words for us " God Bless us All" bluebayou Joined: 22 Aug 2003 Posts: 354 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 3:39 pm Post subject: Rick and Katie: No apologies needed. Glad to see you back God Bless us All Francine _________________ Dx NSCLC Stage IIA Feb 03. Lobectomy upper right lung. No chemo or radiation. Observation only. Mets to the bone (spine) Sept 03 Mets to adrenal gland Oct 03 5 days of radiation finished Oct 03 New CT scans and MRI show mets to gland, bone and to brain Whole Brain Radiation: 4-17 Dec 03 Chemo (Cisplatin/Taxotere) Jan 04 Stereotactic radiosurgery Jan 04 CT Scans Brain/Chest/Abd (Mets to brain & glands gone) Loss of hearing Apr 04 - restored June 04 after surgery MRI upper spine May 04 results inconclusive MRI/CT scans indicate mets to spine (C6/C7) Jul 04 Surgery to upper spine Jul 04 Chemo trmts Carboplatin/Taxotere begin Sep 04 CT Scans brain/neck/chest/abd Nov 04 results indicate no mets to brain/chest or abd/neck stable and tumour on adrenal gland slightly reduced Back to top Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 This news about Francine just breaks my heart. She will definitely be missed. I am so grateful that her husband shared his beautiful post with us. I don't believe I have ever heard an account of someone passing this world in such a dignified and graceful manner. While reading the post, I kept thinking that is exactly the way I would like to live my final days, surrounded by family and friends. I'm sure our dear Francine has now joined the beautiful group of angels that once frequented this message board. God bless and keep you always near him, Blue Bayou!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharyn Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 our dear Francine is now at peace and with her Daddy... She helped me so much when my Dad passed, her story of the last weeks of her life will live in my memory forever. There is no way to describe the way I felt reading her husbands sweet and moving post. May you and your daughter have sweet peace now, it is obvious from your writing you have great faith and faith will lead you through this... God Bless You all.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryanne Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Thank you Giles for posting about your beautiful Francine. She was so supportive on this site and will be greatly missed. Her passing was beautiful as she just gave so much of herself so others could not worry about her. What a beautiful soul she is!! I know her dad was there to help her pass over and that must have been a beautiful reunion. She will always live on though all those wonderful memories you both shared. Those special moments you both privately shared and all those memories of her life with your daughter her family and friends. My deepest condolences goes out to you Giles. She certainly is at peace now. Peace be with you, Maryanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Oh this breaks my heart..she was a great lady. So very loved by everyone. I will miss her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debi Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Francine was funny, and warm, and smart. I'm so sorry she is gone. Thank you Gilles for letting us know.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 We are so sad and we did not know Francine. We feel so blessed to read this post. It is so warm and hopeful and joyful. Our sincere condolences to hubby and daughter. Love Pat and Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 I am so sad to hear that Francine is no longer on this side, but her last few days and humor are no surprise to me. What a classy lady she was and what fond memories I have of her here. I'm sorry, Giles, that the light of your life has been dimmed but know that you'll have memories of what a wonderful person you were so lucky to have for as long as you did - and she was lucky to have you, as well. Peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie221 Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 I sent an email to Francine's husband telling him very much the same thing that has been said here. I was really moved by the combination of simplicity and eloquence in his post. I didn't know Francine, but she has become my role model. I think his post is one of the most loving tributes I've read. Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail p-m Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 I am so saddened to read of Francine's death. Obviously she left her mark on this board as well as with her family and the way she lived her life. What a beautiful tribute from her husband. How loved she was! My thoughts and prayers go out to Giles and their daughter. Gail p-m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 I loved Francine's alias, "BlueBayou". Thank you for the poignant account of her last days and passing...may we all be so courageous and insightful of the needs of our loved ones and of ourselves. Condolences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eileen Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 I am so sorry for the loss of Dear Francine. She was a wonderful lady. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 What a lady. She will be missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 My heart is heavy today as I read about Francines passing..Very beautiful words Giles, I knew she was special.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Condolences on the loss of your Francine. We loved her here, as you can see. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anais Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Giles, My condolences. I knew Francine a little bit, we wrote a few e-mails. Anaïs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy RN Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 I sit here with tears I always loved her posts and her! I am so glad her last few weeks went so well. I ask that my family be able to remember mine, as you have described hers. Love and prayers, Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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