My mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. She took it in stride and never let it slow her down. In 2008 she was diagnosed with stage-four colon cancer and had to have immediate surgery to remove most of her colon. This meant that she would now have to live with a stoma. But did that get her to slow down any? No; in fact, it just made her stronger; she never let anyone see how sick the chemo or radiation made her. She filled every room she entered with hope and inspiration. In 2010 she was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer and was told she only had months to live, and with this new roadblock she continued to spread her love and courage to all she encountered. In April of this year she was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Never once did I hear her complain or be sad; she knew her life had been full! She spent the last months of her life making sure everyone she loved was taken care of. Even in the pain that she was enduring, she continued to reach out through Facebook and daily encounters to encourage everyone around her to love life to the fullest and to savor every moment.
Mama you will continue to inspire and give strength to all who knew and loved you! We miss you every moment of the day! Love, your family and friends!
–Angela Kruse, daughter
This article appears in Dec 27, 2012 – Jan 2, 2013.
