Beth leaves on Thursday

[Sparkle]

I will be moving to my new location in a secluded driveway at my friends house on Wednesday.
How do you thank someone who saved your life, not just once, but many times. I know I would not be here if it wasn't for Beth. The moment she heard about the cancer she gave up her fabulous job on the tour boat in Alaska. She then led the way to Alabama. Within days I was only semi comatose. She visited me many times, always expecting me to be gone. We finally got the Doctors appointment and she made me get out of bed, get dressed and physically manhandled me into the truck when I was too weak to climb the step. She got me into a wheelchair and pushed me to various appointments. Many times! At one point all I could eat was instant mashed potatoes and night after night she came to my door with a plateful. She has been a wonderful Patient Advocate, setting up appointments, making sure I got all the grants that were available. She won't put up with my bullshit and lets me know in no uncertain terms that I'm wrong. For instance, I decided to wait for radiation therapy until January. No way was Beth going to agree to that! I will truly miss her, but I couldn't have asked for a better friend through all of this. My heartfelt thanks go to you Beth.

[avalen]

Angels wear many outfits, Beth is an angel and I thank her too for keeping you with us

[mitch5252]

..
What a glowing tribute to a wonderful and caring friend.
We're all glad she was there for you, too!

..

[Carolinagal]

I had an apportunity to Thank Beth in person, for her care for you, to keep you with all of us. You, have to know by now, Sparkle, that we all care for you sooooo much, and we all in our way have prayed, sent powerful thoughts and hopes, and willed that you would make it through this situation in your life. Beth, is a strong person, she loved you enough not to let your bulls--- get in her way of saving her friend, not only from a horrible disease, but from her own stubborness. You are so dearly loved, which you should know by now, by so many on this forum, so we all thank Beth for what she did. She did it for herself, and all of us, not just for you. We need you, your sense of humor, your adventures that give so many of us courage to do things we want to, but have that little bit of fear, but I have said, "if Sparkle can do it I can." So you are very much needed here. So many more adventures in front of you, that we all want to read and share with you.

The only way, I see and can think of for you to EVER repay her, would be to do as you know you must, as soon as it is suggested to get rid of Gilbert(very suitable name for something I detest, name Gilbert sounds like a cancer). Work at getting your strength back, thats hard, the mind says I can do this, but the body says , "no, I don't wanna". Been that road, and was, to be honest so shocked when I couldn't do it, as I always had, so you have to work at it to get it back. What you don't use, you loose. So when Beth leaves, this is what you can do for her. Finish all of these treatments, eat, even when you don't want to, walk when you think you can't, and do any exercise you can think of to work any and all muscles up to par again.

One more thing, you can do for all of us, if you will please, is to post so we know whats happening with you. Some of your humorous comments on some of our post would tickle me pink.
Take care, Love ya,
CArol

[Liz]

Beth exemplifies everything a true friend should be. I'm so glad you had her with you (as we all are). I also hope she made a recording you can play every morning after she's moved on. Something on the order of, "Get up, get dressed, get moving, eat, drink, and be merry!"

Looking forward to hearing from you directly about your continued progress. I hope you will follow your doctors' recommendations about your treatment. This is what they do every day, and know what the best treatments are in your particular case.

And, let us, your forum friends, know what we can do for you along the way.

[AlmostThere]

Sparkle, how fortunate you are to have Beth in your life. It's easy to see you were meant to be together on so many levels. Your friendship is gold.
I certainly would want Beth in my corner, so you picked well.
I look forward to reading more of your adventures in the future!
Take care...

[Redetotry]

So good to see you post Sparkle we have all held you in our thoughts and missed you enormously. I think how you thank someone like Beth who does a wonderful act of friendship for you is to honor them by passing it along. We'll all be cheering you along as you continue your recovery.

[retiredhappy]

Jean, that's what friends are for and Beth is a true friend.

Now, we all expect you to continue posting so we know what's going on with you and as someone said, push yourself to continue what Beth started. When you don't feel like eating, walking, etc. just ;picture Beth (or any of us) standing beside you and PUSHING you to do it anyway. You've come a long way and we all want you to continue on the road to recovery. Hopefully you will be well enough in April to come to Port Lavaca. Only positive thoughts, you hear????

[Bethers]

Jean won't let me cry in front of her - and here I am sitting blubbering from her post. She could have warned me! Then I blubbered more with the responses. I'm just so glad I was able to help. That's just one of the things this lifestyle has enabled me to do.

DIdn't leave a recording, but she's well aware that I will call, email, do whatever is necessary if I hear she needs my prodding And if all goes well, I intend to come celebrate in late Dec/early Jan with her (can't make any promises on that - but is my hope). So she best be ready to go dancing by then.

My thanks to all of you who have helped in so many ways during these months. I really appreciate everything that's been done - very important to me are those of you who listened to me vent when I needed to. Yep, Jean, you made me lose it on occasion - which you would have loved to have seen, I think - hahaha - you need to get completely well so that you can goad me to show that side.

Love everyone here and agree - it's time for you to post more -

[Getupngo]

My face lit up when I saw a post from you, Sparkle. It's a very long, roundabout way of saying "Beth was right, I was wrong!" I am so glad you had such a stalwart, "I-wont-take-no-for-an-answer" friend. They are rare. Beth is a gift to us all.

Having said that, I also hope you keep chiming in on this forum. You are loved here.

[sharon]

Yeah, what all of the girls said!! Blubbering here, too. Don't make me come all the way from SoCal to kick your butt if you're not taking care of yourself and doing what the doctors say to do!!

[Nasoosie]

Gawd help you if I have to drive from here to wherever it is you are and kick your butt, too, along with Sharon! As I have told my kids throughout the years, "I know all and see all" and distance is no hindrance!

I will be eternally grateful to Beth for her goading you and helping you along when you were losing faith and hope. She has been so wonderful at keeping us updated of your progress. I know she is so deserving of a chance to travel once again, but don't you dare make me fearful of her doing that! You two had so many wonderful sharing adventures over the past couple of years, and this was just another facet of that sharing. She and you are both special people in my book.

And don't you think that I don't expect to share a dance around a campfire with you before another year goes by! (Yes, we will remove all bar stools, first!)

Keep on keeping on and we will be dancing before you know it!

[BirdbyBird]

I too was thrilled to see you post Sparkle. Yep, Beth is good people. She's a keeper. You know she will figure out how to "get to you" from a distance should you ever need her. Your whole Huntsville team is a miracle of back up support for the backup support. and you don't have to tell all your secrets but we sure will enjoy your insights, perspective, intelligence ....oh, yes, and the twisted humor...... Give Bogie a hug but tell him to behave at least until you weight more than he does.....

[carold]

How wonderful that you are posting, Sparkle, and as for Beth- what more can be said. It's been quite a journey, one of inspiration and full of love. See you "on the road". carold

[Sprinter]

Wow, now THAT is a true friend Wishing you well in your continuing recovery.

Love,
Sharon