Sunday, June 10, 2012

Update on Paula

Thank you for your prayers for Paula. It is with a heavy heart that I share a note below from her friend in the UK who is letting everyone know, via a comment on Paula's blog, that she passed away peacefully this morning. He expresses beautifully how so many who knew Paula feel about her. I can only imagine the number of people she touched in her 42 years. Through tears, I can say that she certainly made an impact on my life and I will miss her terribly. These words from 2 Corinthians 5:1 bring comfort:

"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."  
 
Heaven is a wonderful place, full of glory and grace...Deepest sympathy to Paula's husband, B, and to her family. I would love to make a memorial collage online, full of photos showing people/children with the Myeloma Buddies she made for them. If you could, please email any photos you might have to baker.linda54@gmail.com so I can include them, and please pass the word to others in your circle for pictures. Thank you and stay strong, never losing hope for a cure.
 
Chris T Hi Everyone – I hope nobody minds me posting this message, but I’m sure you would all want to know that, sadly, Paula lost her fight today at around 12.05p.m. Apparently she went peacefully. Bernard has done a sterling job keeping all of us in the loop, when I’m sure he has much better things to do. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how very brave Paula was throughout this whole process. She may have only been small, but she had the courage of a colossus. She could make humour out of the most dire circumstances. Don’t know how she did it, but she had the admiration of everyone who knew her. I am sure she even amazed the staff at the Royal, who all seemed extremely fond of her. She probably caused some consternation among the consultants, as she seemed to know as much as them at times. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see her one last time, as we (Pat & I) were intending to go in tomorrow, but not to be, but it was obviously the time for her to leave us. She leaves behind many many people whose lives she has touched for the better and I can only say, “Thanks, Paula” it was great knowing you. Just sorry it was for such a short time. Sorry, will have to go now, as can’t see to type through the tears.

16 comments:

  1. Thank you, Linda. I shared your request for photos of Paula's Myeloma Buddies on my FB page.

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    1. Thanks Dianne...hope to get many pictures of joyous faces she blessed with her Buddies!

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  2. Yesterday as I was cleaning out some messages from my email I found a last message from Paula regarding our plans to work together on a knitting project for the twins our MM family is expecting. I know at the time she wrote it she felt sure she was going to feel well enough to do it. I was surprised at her offer, given what she had been going through, but at the same time I knew her big heart wanted to be a contributor in my life in another way. I shall miss her dreadfully.

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    1. She always remained positive and I loved that about her! We will all miss her dreadfully. Are you going to complete the knitting project for the twins? You will have to post a picture if you do!

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  3. So sad, so sad. Her spirits were always so strong. I never had gotten around to ordering one of her Myeloma Buddies. Another reminder to live today and not put off until tomorrow. She is at peace now. Deepest sympathies to her family.

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    1. Her spirits were always strong Susan...a good reminder to all of us to stay the course and fight the good fight against MM.

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  4. I first met Paula (I was a few years ahead of her in the MM journey) when she helped me with knitting and crocheting tips about doing needlework with PN attacking one's hands. Paula was so talented, and so kind about sharing her knowledge and patterns. It's incredible that she found the time to accomplish everything she did. There are oceans of tears in Paula's blogosphere. If ever there was anyone who fought the good fight and stayed the course, it was Paula.

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    1. Well spoken! Her talents were endless when it came to doing anything with her hands, be it knitting, crocheting, sewing or general crafting. Her gifts, given generously to so many of us, will always be a lasting treasure we can hold on to...

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  5. "Prayers for Paula" - a lovely post. What a blessing Paula was, and the memory of her will continue to be ....

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  6. Such a sad day in the MM community. I've been praying for you and Dad, as well as all those that knew Paula. I'll look through my pictures for any of the MM buddies. What a neat idea to make a collage of them. Love you.

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    1. Thanks Sweetie. Paula was truly one of a kind and I will miss her posts terribly. Thankful for our Myeloma Buddies...

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  7. Hi Linda. Thank you for your post. I too was thinking of getting people to send photos of themselves and their buddies or other special Paula makes along with a brief message that I could print and send to B. You beat me too it.
    We already miss her terribly, only last night we were laughing about something on the tv and thought Paula would have giggled for England. X

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    1. I'm sure B could never have enough wonderful testimonies of our love and and appreciation for Paula, so feel free to go ahead with your plan as well! Do you have a picture to send me? I know she was such a special friend to you and the void must feel like such heavy weight on your heart. I still can't believe I won't be able to read another one of her posts about her life at The Royal, Buddy's antics, her antics, her latest projects, or B. Life is hard, but the world was a brighter place because of Paula. She is now free from the effects of MM...

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  8. I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for you all and for Paula's family.

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    1. Thanks Jenn. With the passing of our two UK blog friends so close together, it has been difficult. Sean and Paula will forever be in our hearts.

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