My Niece

[Dena]

I am so sorry that I have not been here as much lately.  My Aunt lost her battle with Cancer a few weeks ago. Now my niece is in terrible shape. 

She is 32 and is a special education teacher who has run marathons - most notably, the Susan G Komen run.  In June, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy.  She now has Triple Negative Stage IV that went into her bones & skin.  Yesterday, she flew to Boston to Dana Farber to see if she could get into the clinical trials there. My brother-in-law emailed me last night.  They are keeping her in Boston to try to help her - it is in her liver and she is in bad shape. Her parents are on their way to Boston to be with her and hopefully, they will be able to bring her back so that we can see her.  We were supposed to go to her fundraiser in March.

My heart is so broken for them.  Words just will not come.  My brother-in-law says that she is not giving up the fight- she is a fighter and such a beautiful and unique person.  This is their only daughter- the baby of the family.  She has 2 older brothers. She was just a baby when I first started dating my husband.

Please keep them in your thoughts & prayers.

Love,
Dena, Josh's Mom

[Dottie (Tammie's Mom)]

Dear Dena,

I am keeping your niece in my prayers.

Hugs to you and your family,

Dottie Tammie's Mom

[Brenda Taylors Mom]

OH Dena, they will be in my prayers. Love, Brenda

[Dena]

Thank you!

It is so ironic - I have tried getting on this site at work before and it was blocked. Today, i tried it in a slightly different way and had no trouble getting in!  I guess it just proves that this site has always been here when I have needed it most!

I still haven't heard anything yet  -

Love,
Dena, Josh's Mom

[Dena]

My brother-in-law recently mentioned that they feel Josh's presence very strongly at my niece's apartment and feel he is watching over them.  I think so too.  Josh loved his cousins very much, so it is easy to understand that he would be at her side.

Love,
Dena, Josh's Mom

[Debh]

Dena I will keep your neice and family in my thoughts. I am sorry.

Josh is by her side, I can imagine how that feels for them all knowing he is there.

Love
Deb

[Terry]

I'm so sorry, Dena. I got goose-bumps reading how your family feels Josh's presence so strongly. Awesome. I know that has to bring you a sense of comfort.

I will keep your niece and everyone who loves her in my prayers. Take extra special care of 'you.' Please.

You have my love,
Terry

[jaki]

Dena,
I am sending strength and hope.
love,
jaki

[MelissaCharliesMom]

So sorry for all your family is going through. I havent been "around" much myself lately. just know I am thinking of you and sending thoughts of strength and well wishes to you and yours.

[Rebecca]

Oh Dena - Does it ever stop?  Thinking of you and your family.
Rebecca, Jason's Mom

[Dena]

Olivia got to Dana Farber and they had to admit her.  Her liver is involved and they want to try to keep her comfortable and see if there is any way to help her so that she can undergo more chemotherapy. My brother-in-law tells me that she is still fighting.  She is currently in the Brigham & Women's Hospital. I am hoping & praying that they will be able to bring her home soon so that her family can be around her. 

How I wish it could just stop.  I have lost too many people in my family to Cancer.  Olivia is the youngest by far at 32.  I just hate feeling this helpless.

Love,
Dena, Josh's Mom

[jaki]

Dena,
please try to remember that what you have is now- she is still here now- these moments are so important as you don't know how many you have.  If I may, I encourage you and her family to focus on the gift of time- cancer is a horror but she is still life and these moments are like a delicate butterfly.  To just be in the moment with her is what will help you all.  As you know I understand with my soul...
sending peace, my love and comfort.
jaki

[Dena]

Thank you, Jaki - that helps - more than you could possibly know.  I will let everyone know.

Love,
Dena, Josh's Mom