I just learned a few hours ago that a former co-worker of mine passed away.
Emily was 33 and had a 2-year old baby girl. She was so happy and carefree. She and I used to walk together on our breaks and talk about work, we were never very close but we were friendly. I went to her baby shower and we talked about baby things.
When she went on maternity leave we all thought there was a chance she wouldnt come back. Her husband made decent money and they lived close to her sister, who also had a new baby. She decided to be a stay-at-home mom and we all missed her.
We learned yesterday that Emily had been slipping in and out of a comatose state. It turns out, after she had the baby she tested positive for cancer. Her cancer went into remission for a while, and then came back a few months ago with a vengeance. Emily and her twin sister went to the City of Hope to try and schedule a bone marrow transplant, but the doctors told her it was too late - her cancer was terminal.
In a few weeks she went from being ok (she could walk and talk, and was weak but could still leave the house), to being bedridden and in and out of a coma. A friend of mine went to visit her yesterday and called me with an update Emily wasnt eating anymore, she was nonresponsive, very skeletal, and her hair had all fallen out. Today she passed.
Although I didnt know Emily well I am pretty shaken. I think the last birthday I had (my 25th) has made me rethink a lot of things. Theres so much I want to do and see, and now that Im on the other side of 25 I realize that these are the years I need to get moving. I need to get active, I need to travel, I need to experience things. Today I cried for Emily, but I also think I cried a little for me too. I know Im young, but there are so many things I want to do maybe its time to get out there.
Emily was 33 and had a 2-year old baby girl. She was so happy and carefree. She and I used to walk together on our breaks and talk about work, we were never very close but we were friendly. I went to her baby shower and we talked about baby things.
When she went on maternity leave we all thought there was a chance she wouldnt come back. Her husband made decent money and they lived close to her sister, who also had a new baby. She decided to be a stay-at-home mom and we all missed her.
We learned yesterday that Emily had been slipping in and out of a comatose state. It turns out, after she had the baby she tested positive for cancer. Her cancer went into remission for a while, and then came back a few months ago with a vengeance. Emily and her twin sister went to the City of Hope to try and schedule a bone marrow transplant, but the doctors told her it was too late - her cancer was terminal.
In a few weeks she went from being ok (she could walk and talk, and was weak but could still leave the house), to being bedridden and in and out of a coma. A friend of mine went to visit her yesterday and called me with an update Emily wasnt eating anymore, she was nonresponsive, very skeletal, and her hair had all fallen out. Today she passed.
Although I didnt know Emily well I am pretty shaken. I think the last birthday I had (my 25th) has made me rethink a lot of things. Theres so much I want to do and see, and now that Im on the other side of 25 I realize that these are the years I need to get moving. I need to get active, I need to travel, I need to experience things. Today I cried for Emily, but I also think I cried a little for me too. I know Im young, but there are so many things I want to do maybe its time to get out there.