Friday Morning

Breast cancer message boards have a steady trickle of contributors who die. Some of the more active boards probably average about one woman a week.

They will suddenly become less active on the board. They'll stop responding to other people's posts, but will drop in a few times with their own updates: tumor markers rising, scraping the bottom of the chemo barrel, pain quite bad and wondering if anyone has tried a different pain med...

Soon another woman from the board, who is in phone contact the woman and/or her family, starts posting updates. Angela's in the hospital, please send prayers. Infection under control, but Angela's still weak. Angela appreciates the cards, and hopes to be back on her feet soon. Angela's husband says that it's time for hospice, and thanks you for the prayers.

A few weeks later there's a post from her husband or sister: Thank you all. You gave her so much support and it meant a great deal to her.

There's a small movement afoot to change the language that is used to describe metastatic breast cancer. There are women who have been told by their physicians that what they have is a "chronic" condition -- as opposed to a terminal condition.

Needless to say, these women hold this thought very close to their hearts, despite the fact that it's not true. I don't think many people with diabetes would be lining up to trade places with women with bone and liver mets.

There are other women who believe that a cure is just around the corner. They believe it even more strongly than endtimers think the rapture'll be in their lifetime.

Anyway... whatever you call it... Darlene Weaver died yesterday. Her sister says her passing was peaceful and in the arms of her loving husband.