After two very long months of fighting the cancer, my mother passed away tonight.

It was very hard to watch her decline and also very hard to be her sole caregiver especially in the last weeks when her needs were greatest. However, I was richly rewarded tonight when she passed away storybook-peacefully in my arms, my months-long mission of keeping her comfortable and pain-free having been completed in the most magnificent of ways.

I shall miss her terribly--and far more even in the following week when it all catches up with me, but, for now, I revel in her finally being at peace an in a far better place.

Thank you all for you continued understanding and support these last few weeks. Many of you were extremely supportive to me, and I must give my deepest grattitude to  DMA , especially, as he continually lent an ear to my sadness, frustration, and confusion. I couldn't have gotten through in one piece without your friendship, I hope you know.

It'll be a long time before things are back to anything even close to normal--whatever this new 'normal' will be, but I am sure that with all of my friends' continued sujpport and care, I'll get there in one piece!

Thanks again for holding me in your heart and in your prayers.