Denise,

I am so sorry about your Mom's passing. I lost my own Mom three years ago, this past October. She died of non-alcoholic cirrhosis. My Dad, my sister and I spent almost 5 years watching her deteriorate slowly, first losing her ability to walk and eventually losing most of the movement of her limbs altogether, and she was so brave through all of it. We had to hire stronger and stronger caregivers (my Mom was a bit chubby), just so they were able to move her as she lost her ability to move from the couch to her walker, wheelchair, and near the end her ability to stand at all, on her own. She spent her last three weeks in the hospital, receiving intravenous antibiotics to fight the infection that kept popping up over and over again, until she finally died due to her kidneys failing from the constant barrage of anti-biotics.

It was the greatest loss I have ever experienced, although I felt fortunate that we knew that she was ill, as it gave us quality time to spend with her before the end. I loved, respected, and admired my Mom more than anyone else in this world (my Dad is a close second), so I can imagine what you must have felt losing your own Mother.

I'm not sure why I decided to write all of this on your page....I just saw you on an episode of 30 Rock last night and for some reason I decided to Google you.

Thanks for providing a forum for people to support this wonderful cause. Cancer is a terrible disease and I've lost several people very close to me to this affliction. I doubt we'll get to have lunch together, but I'm certain that if we did, we'd have a wonderful conversation.

Thanks again and sorry for rambling on.

Sincerely,

Gene

P.S. It wasn't a mistake.....I always capitalize the M in Mom and the D in Dad.

I don't have a video to upload, but I hope I'll be entered in the contest anyway.

I entered all of my contact information and details.

Thanks again.

Gene