mhutch1366 Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 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...
dadstimeon Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Gilles, I'm truly saddened and heartbroken by the loss of your beloved wife Francine. A very sad day. She was a wonderful women and human being who I liked, admired and respected very much. My condolences to you, Francine's family and friends. God Bless you Francine. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 OH NO!!! I am SOOOOO SORRY Gilles for the loss of your WONDERFUL WIFE! We have turly lost a dear and wonderful friend as well. Her presence here will be greatly missed. My Sincere Condolences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggiesmom Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Giles, Please accept my condolences on the loss of Francine. She was such a lovely person, always there for me and for all of us with words of encouragement and hope. ((())) Joanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunny Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 This is so sad. I hear what Francine meant to the people here. I am so, so sorry. Gilles, please accept my sincerest condolences. What a beautiful, peaceful picture you paint of what must have been an excrutiating time for you. God bless you, your daughter, your sister in law. I am certain Francine is at peace. I hope this isn't tacky, I just can't get the words out of my head: Gonna see my baby again Gonna be with some of my friends Maybe I'll feel better again On Blue Bayou love and prayers, xoxo amie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted August 4, 2005 Share Posted August 4, 2005 Gilles, I am very sorry to hear this sad news.Our condolences to you and your family.Francine will also be greatly missed by many of us here at lcsc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francesbean Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 That's so beautiful. My heartfelt condolences to Francine's family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teresag Posted August 5, 2005 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Giles, my condolences to your and your family on the loss of your beautiful wife. - Teresa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyCW Posted August 6, 2005 Share Posted August 6, 2005 I can't believe Francine is gone. We will miss her very much. Thank you for sharing some scenes from her last days. It does not surprise me that she died with such grace and good humor. I'm so very sorry. I just can't believe she's gone. BeckyCW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jang Posted August 6, 2005 Share Posted August 6, 2005 I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy c Posted August 7, 2005 Share Posted August 7, 2005 I am so sorry for your loss. God bless you and give you peace,Nancy C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pammie Posted August 7, 2005 Share Posted August 7, 2005 Giles, I am so sad to hear your wife Francine is gone. May God give you peace. praying for all the family. pammie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayos Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 Please know Francine will be sadly missed by so very many of us. This is so tragic Giles...my heart goes out to you and yours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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