Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving was always a holiday that Cindy took very seriously. She always took time to say thank you to the people she appreciated, often sending cards or treats as well.

During the last week of her life, she followed suit, thanking everyone that came to see her, thanking those who cared for her, thanking those that she loved.

On Cindy's behalf, I would like to thank everyone for their wonderful comments here and also thank those of you who wrote tribute posts on other sites.

I am thankful for the life of Cindy Woods and grateful that we have her essence here with us in her lines.

Ronda

Cindy Woods 1956-2008

Our dear friend has gone. Her passing was peaceful and with not much lingering, as she wanted.
This last week was a good one. She wasn't in any pain and felt up to visits from a multitude of friends and family. She was lucky enough to be able to tell everyone what she wanted to and to hear what she meant, the comments here included.
Thank you to everyone who has taken time to look at her drawings and follow her exploits. She has left us quite a legacy.

Ronda

An Open Thank You

Cindy,

I'm honored to say that you are my best friend. We've shared so many great experiences that were only better by being there together.

I have so many fond memories of our great adventures: good food, beautiful places, amazing art, inspiring music, terrific movies, and more. All of it was enhanced by sharing the joy of their discovery with you, seeing them through your eyes as they materialized on paper through your pen or pencil of choice.

The joy with which you approach learning and discovering new things is infectious, your curiosity and openness to try something new intoxicating catalysts. You've taught me so much!

You've navigated through life the way that you navigated a New York sidewalk, with courage and confidence and eagerness to get to the next interesting thing, mindful of potholes, and with a clear vision of where you were headed. Your steady determination and thoughtfulness has been an ongoing inspiration to me.

You are an exceedingly generous and kind friend, especially when being exceedingly honest and forthcoming with your opinions. I thank you for helping me grow and for all you have done for me.

The greatest gift you have given me is your love and friendship. I know that you have felt that love and admiration returned. I can honestly and proudly say that the most successful endeavor of my life has been being your friend.

The challenge of my life ahead is to carry the banner of our friendship on and to try to share with others the great legacy of wisdom, warmth and grace you have bestowed on me and all of the many people who love you. I hope you'll be proud of me.

Love,
Ronda

rest of the end of my story

The cancer I have began as a small ulcer on my tongue, I urge anyone who notices a spot of any sort in their mouth that has not healed in two weeks to consider mentioning it to your doctor or dentist. This website, The Oral Cancer Foundation is the best place I have found to learn more about this particular type of cancer. I was lucky, my cancer was discovered 7 years ago and was easily removed with minor surgery and very little damage to my tongue. The problem with this cancer is it is persitent, it reoccured on my tongue twice more, a grace period of 3 years between each reoccurance. The battle truly began once it metastasized to the lymph nodes in my neck. There is only a 50/50 survival rate once this occurs. So early detection is the best chance for a cure. The problem is that most doctors and dentists are uneducated about what this cancer looks like. They will often pass it off as something else. My doctor dismissed the possibility for 6 months, saying that only people who smoke or chew tobacco get this cancer. But, that's not true, anyone can get it! It was a great nurse who, alarmed at the doctor's dismissal of the problem, encouraged me to seek outside help. Only then was the cancer properly diagnosed. Again, the best place place to visit is the above links at the Oral Cancer Foundation.


tranfered out of Palliative Care Unit, first day in the New Hospital at MCV, quick sketch of a woman named Karen as she talked to my sister Betsy

memory drawing of tests

memory drawing of my sisters as they kept me company

sketching the private duty nurse staying with me, poor thing, she has two jobs and is taking care of her sick mother, she was very sleep deprived

my dear friend Anna Warmolts visiting me in the hospital, we did a portrait party exchange, here my sketch of her drawing me.

a memory drawing of the procedure, the cancer has damanged my throat, no longer able to swallow, a feeding tube inserted through my nose

finally food

last day in the hospital, waiting for discharge papers, my sister Wendy and I have a Portrait Party exchange.

end of story

whether I should post these drawings or not, I don't know. I spent last week in the hospital and these are a record of those days. I came home on Friday, my battle with cancer lost, and have entered a hospice program. I wanted to let those few visitors here know why I will soon stop posting altogether. Thanks to all who have visited me and left comments, I have enjoyed the exchanges between my all Internet friends immensely and want you all to know what joy it has given to get to know you as we have shared our lives online.

this first drawing of waiting in the emergency room of MCV

sketching a fellow patient also waiting to see a doctor

sketch of my dear friend Ronda as she chatted with my sister Betsy

a drawing from memory of some of the days events

finally admitted to the hospital very late in the evening, a drawing of my friend Sarah who stayed with me overnight

more drawings tomorrow

sketches

added Tuesday Nov 18: Many thanks Anthony, Kiri, Amanda, Linda and Duncan for your comments :)

hand tapping

"Yes We Can!"

watching victory speech and drawing that wonderful moment!

added:3:33 a.m. others I've found

Gabi Campanario did the same, see here!
love Randall Enos' celebratory illustration, see here!
here is Katherine Tyrrell's "queue"
and Paula Becker, her blog "Whateverings" sketching as events unfold on TV

finish the lyric

sing along Saturday

last of halloween drawings

more Halloween

Halloween at The Home

more from the Halloween Party.

also, my blog's anniversary today, 4 years old!

added 11/2: thanks Pedro, Kiri and Leila for still peeking in!
welcome Darien!