Goodby from Elizabeth77

[Elizabeth77]

To all you wonderful, funny, fantastically knowledgeable and friendly people, this is a very hard thing to write.

Some of you know that I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in July 2014. Fewer of you know that I found out in November 2016 that it was back.  I've been fighting it everywhere, but losing steadily. I could still fight medically, except that it's in my brain and very inoperable. I had a long visit with my doctor on July 5 and she told me I have 4 to 9 weeks left to me. I am doing well at the moment and hope that bodes well for the immediate future.

I am so blessed to have so many friends and family care and help keep us going. Please keep us in your thoughts. We are leaving Indiana for Oregon by van on Wednesday morning. My brother is incarcerated out there and can't come to see me. We will use it as an unheard-of family vacation.

I have really enjoyed being a member of this board and found some dear friends here. I'm only sorry we've never had a chance to meet. Chances are I won't be posting again, but I will if I can. My beloved has volunteered to let you know when it's all over. It's hard to say that, but I don't want you left wondering.

If you are interested in knowing any more, I have periodically kept my friends on Facebook up to date. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013260228786

Thinking of each of you,

Raewyn Cheng (E77)

[TWOMULES]

This is so painful to read Raeweyn

My heart goes out to you and your family. The fact you are on this board is the reason I returned along with SK or I probably would never be back here. We are all sorry we have never had a chance to meet because right now we wish we could support you in person and not just in words.

I am finding it hard to write and heartbroken after reading your post. God bless you

Thank you for all the joy you gave me on the board. Thinking of you and your family and you will always been in our hearts.

[Matt]

Raeweyn,

It has been a joy to get to know you. You've always been such a kind and positive presence here on the board. As I told you once months ago, it's so hard for me to find the words in situations like this. Nothing I can say seems adequate or able to bring consolation. I'm at a loss when faced with such courage and dignity as you've shown through this. What do I have to offer?  I'm just heartbroken that you're going through this, but relieved you have such a wonderful family to be with you.

I'll miss you, my friend. You'll be thought of often. 

[KC]

Dear Raewyn,

I can only repeat one word from the messages of 2M and Matt: Heartbroken.

Thank you for taking the time, in the midst of so much hardship and suffering, to grace our board with your presence. Speaking of grace, the Hemingway line that "Courage is grace under pressure" might have been written with you in mind. You will be missed by everyone here.

I will be thinking of you and your family in the days and weeks to come.

I wish words didn't feel so horribly inadequate at times like this.

Goodby, my friend.

[Christopher]

I've looked at this thread a few times, not sure how or what to respond with. Thank you, Raewyn, for letting us know. Your family will be in my prayers.

[Aline]

I don't know what to say either. Life can be so hard and scary. I like to think God is in charge and you are in his hands, Raewyn. Bye

[AKA23]

Raewyn, I am so sorry to hear this incredibly sad news. You have been such an inspiration for all of us here on the board. Your passing will be a great loss. Your enthusiasm, your passion for life, your courage and your resilience in the face of everything you have gone through has served as a model for others to follow. We all do, and we all will, at some stage, experience what you are going through right now. Death is a part of life, but that unfortunately doesn't make it any easier to endure. You are in God's hands now.

I like to think that your spirit and your presence will live on, both here on the board but most importantly, in the lives of your friends and family. Those that you have touched will continue to benefit from your grace and your strength even after your body has been left behind. The lessons that you have taught will live on, as they are timeless, and so in some small way, you will never truly die because that will be your legacy, and it will be left behind for all time.

I think that sometimes when experiencing hardship that I cannot overcome, that it helps me to accept the hardship and to stop fighting it, because with that acceptance, peace sometimes emerges, and that peace can sometimes bring calmness and a serenity that I find I can't experience when I'm continuing to fight an unwinnable war. I've never faced anything like what you are enduring now, but I often find in my own life that I spend so much time fighting against that which I don't want that I fail to appreciate the many wonderful things that I do have. That act of fighting is exhausting, and for me, sometimes it really is better to accept what is and move forward secure with the knowledge that you have done all you could and that the rest is out of your control to impact. In some ways, that is freeing for me. How much time we have on this earth is not something we can ever know, or that we can ever control. You have fought so hard for so long, and we all admire you for it, but I hope that in these last few weeks of life, that you find some measure of peace as you transition into whatever might come next for you. We will miss you, Raewyn, but you will never be forgotten. I wish you and your family strength and peace during this very difficult time, and thank you for sharing your life and your heart with all of us here on the board.

[The Schofield Kid]

Thank you Raewyn for all the smiles and laughs you gave me over the years here on the board. I called you my little sis in the Aussie thread and the name stuck in our PM's after that. We never met in person but through this board and FB I've gotten to know you and I'll miss you.

God bless you and your family.

[Conan]

Every Which Way But Loose...I still enjoy this, but I need a few years between me and another viewing.

I'm aware of the odds based on what you are saying, but I still hope you get that chance at another viewing in a few years. 

I've always enjoyed reading your posts Raewyn, and I'm very sorry to hear the awful news.

[Brendan]

Raewyn,

Much like everyone here I have no words. I never do when news like this comes my way. It's truly awful. I can only wish for you that you spend all the time that you have with loved ones and cherish every moment. I know they will.

Thank you for being a member here all these years, all the posts and thoughts that you have given and for letting us know what is happening.

All that I ask is that you tell your friends and family that you love them. Speaking from experience this will be the greatest thing that you can do for them at a time like this.

Godspeed.

[Doug]

That is really heartbreaking news. That took a lot of courage to write that and I really admire your bravery. Maybe you don't feel brace but you're really inspirational. Everybody is hoping for a last minute miracle, but in the meanwhile enjoy every precious minute of life. Stay strong! You are an inspiration.

[-satu-]

Sad news. You and your family are in my thoughts and hope you can make the best of it with the time you have left.

God Bless.

[Elizabeth77]

Your many kind messages have made me smile, laugh and cry as may be. I thought you'd like to know that my very long trip out to eastern Oregon to visit my brother was a great success. We had a good visit and our travels were safe and uneventful, except for a couple of elk who decided to play dodge the cars across the highway. It was malicious and deliberate because they did it repeatedly.  Some pictures follow. We spent a night in the Tetons. It was nice and restful.



We got to see my brother's kids, who happened to be visiting their dad at the same time.



My uncle and his new wife drove 8 hours just to see us.



Doesn't my husband take nice pictures?



Our nice cabin for one night.



Old Faithful during lunch.



My one walk to the Fountain Paint Pot in Yellowstone.





I've been working on something called Master Guide in my Pathfinder Club. I got home on the 21st. They invested me on the 22nd.
I started the club in our church four years ago with 6 kids. This year we have at least 13 and we finally have 4 girls.



With my sons and our fearless leader from the state level.



Home again and my sister gave me the gift of a lifetime. My mother helped her to finish it while we were gone.



Me, my sister and our mom.



The quilt's title is "The Music in Me". Since my life and music are one in the same, there is no better.





I just thought you might enjoy. I'm mentally at the same stage I was 4 weeks ago, for which I am grateful every day. Unfortunately, my lungs are starting to give me trouble.

[KC]

Such beautiful pictures, Raewyn! Thank you for sharing them with us. I'm happy you were able to have such a good time with your family and enjoy such spectacular natural wonders. That quilt is amazing!

[Matt]

Glad to hear from you again, Raewyn. That's a gorgeous photo of the Tetons.

We had a good visit and our travels were safe and uneventful, except for a couple of elk who decided to play dodge the cars across the highway. It was malicious and deliberate because they did it repeatedly. 

   I guess they have to find their ways to get even with humans for hunting season. They don't get to carry guns, but they can run in front of cars.

[The Schofield Kid]

Great pictures E77.

Wonderful memories for you and the family.

[AKA23]

I am happy to hear that your visit to Oregon went well and that you are spending time visiting family. Your enthusiasm for life and positive outlook continue to impress me! 

[Gant]

Beautiful pictures and memories  Raewyn...

[allycat]

Thank you for sharing Raewyn and I send much love to you and hope the coming weeks are filled with good times with your friends and family X

[TWOMULES]

Beautiful photos and wonderful memories Raewyn.