The only girl of your family, you were much too young to die, and it was so needless, something that could have been caught and should have been caught, if only you had gone for your regular pap tests over the years, or if the doctors had insisted on a full medical instead of only treating the symptoms you were experiencing - the ringing in your ears, the balance problems, the eating problems. To die at 34 from ovarian cancer is just not right.

I think of you often, remembering the times we spent over the years listening to music, drinking our one beer as we listened to the bands, going line dancing (I haven't been since you left), moving you from Renfrew to Carleton Place and then to Kingston, which was where you wanted to die. Our last night together having dinner - your best night as you were in hospital two days later, never to leave.

I remember the 14 hours at your bedside talking with you about so many things, both of us knowing that it would probably be the last time. I remember having to do an interview at the time of your funeral because I had been given the wrong time and had made my interview time based on the first information. Needless to say I didn't do a good interview and didn't get the job, but that's ok.

I still see Randy and Doug occasionally and get a Christmas card from your mom and dad. My dad died the spring after you did. It was a hard year for me. Our cat, which we'd had for 21 years, died that year too and my mother-in-law died the following January.

Good friends are hard to come by Sue, and you were a good friend. I miss you!

Sept 7, 2004

Cancer can kill if it's not caught in time. Don't be the next victim. Call your doctor now to set up your yearly appointment!