[Starbuck]

My friend R just finished her 6th cycle, or 12th treatment of 5 different toxic medications for her non-hodgekins lymphoma in her chest and neck and I was her caregiver. There were hospital stays, times we had to rush her to the ER due to fevers and uncontrollable bone pain, all sorts of things. But the good news is she made it through and her hair is starting to come back in! Many of her good natured friends are "betting" on what color and how it's going to look, whether straight or curly, it was long and straight before. I can't say it was easy, I remembmer sitting with her in the ER, holding her hand crying with her because she was in so much pain and I felt so helpless to help her. Never once did she lose her appreciation for the help she received from the nurses and doctors that came into her room; she always thanked them. What a blessing she is in my life! Thank you, R, for being such an inspiration to me and so many others as you continue your recovery. I love you very much.