The update I had planned to write this weekend will have to wait for another day.
Tonight the beautiful Sarah and her two younger brothers lost their mum, and Gavin his fabulous wife. Toni was diagnosed with breast cancer fourteen months ago and was doing well. Her secondary cancer was discovered about 12 weeks ago when she fractured her hip. In the past few weeks after radiation and re-starting chemo her body started to shut down. Two weeks ago we were told she would be lucky to last 2 days. But after being highly sedated and giving her stressed body a rest, Toni amazed everyone by waking up and although the cancer was in her brain by this stage and she would sometimes hallucinate she recognised her family and Sean. They were able to then spend time talking with her - something Sarah though she was going to miss out on. Gavin left the hospital only twice from the time Toni was admitted - once last week while she was stable and asleep - and tonight to come home to tell them of her passing. Toni's father has been staying with the kids. He has now lost his wife and daughter at a young age to breast cancer. Toni's sister and brother in law have also been staying when they can.
I have been very proud of Sean during the past few months. He has taken Toni to doctor's appointments if Gavin was busy and as Toni was unable to drive he and Sarah took on the job of household shopping, picking up her brothers and taking them out with them and generally being a 'big brother' to them. I can always remember him inviting Sarah to his 17th birthday and asking me if I minded Toni ringing to check the details of the party and coming in to meet us when they arrived. Three years later they are still together and he is as much a loved member of their family as Sarah is of ours. Toni used to thank us for letting Sean go away with them - I always thought it should be the other way around.
She was only four weeks older than me.
Bye my friend.
