Two years ago – three years after my diagnosis – a friend I had met country line dancing in London (yes, there really is such a thing) reached out to me. I hadn’t seen her since we were both living in London, as I moved back to the US and she moved home to New Zealand. She had been re-reading my entire blog because she, too, had just been told she had breast cancer. And tonight I learned she lost her battle.
I am heartbroken. Chris was such a beautiful, kind soul. Why, why did this have to happen??? We have come so far in oncology. And so much money is poured into breast cancer research. (So much so that some complain that it takes away from other cancer research.) Yet so many people still die from the disease. Even when supposedly caught early, as they had initially thought with Chris. We have to do more and stop this horrible thing called cancer!
I just looked back at the messages we exchanged. I was so stupidly naive, thinking everyone will be as lucky as me, telling her that while it is tough now, it will get better, she will get past it. I truly believed that. But I was wrong. It is not always the case.
I despise these harsh reminders of how precious life is. Can’t we learn to really appreciate each day (and each other) without someone having to die to remind us? Life isn’t fair.
It is an absolute fact: life really isn’t fair – but it is what we make of it. And Chris made the most of it: dancing, traveling, laughing and smiling. Thank you, Chris, for being such a stellar example of living life to its fullest, brimming over with faith and love your whole life through. We will try to remember that, and follow your example. xoxoxo
Amy's America 
Sorry Amy, Cancer sucks- last year I lost my father, my good friend Michelle and I have 3 friends fighting the battle . I think of you often and how brave you were to share your thoughts and your fears while you were fighting for your life.
Oh, Angela, I am so sorry for your losses and will be thinking about your friends… and thank you for thinking of me!
Amy, I’m really sorry to hear this. Thank you for sharing your reflections on the preciousness of life and love and friendship, and for reminding us to keep up the good fight and keep on dancing even though life isn’t fair.
Thanks so much, Jessi xoxoxo
I’m so sorry Amy 😦
Thank you, Chris – and for your nice Mother’s Day blog!
Hi Amy – I’m not sure if this will get to you. I don’t see an email address on your blog and the last one I have for you is at Genzyme. I hope you remember me. We met at Dana-Farber, I worked in media relations there and we worked on a few stories together. I’m not there anymore. I decided to take the big leap and work closer to home. No more 4 hour commutes! Anyway, in case you do not get this, I don’t want to write too much. I just read your blog and wanted to say how sorry I was about your friend. Cancer sucks! If you get this note, shoot me a note back with your email. I’d love to connect and catch up! Robbin
Thanks for sharing this. How unfair indeed. ❤️
Sent from my iPad
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