Written 5/17/97 by Charlotte... In April of 1996, I joined BMT-Talk and met and made many friends as we worked together as a team to successfully fight cancer. Some of my friends have fought and won the battle, some are in the fighting process and others are those wonderful caregivers and bone marrow donors!! When Heath first sent a request for info to the group, something about his letter touched me and I quickly replied to him. Even though we had different types of cancer and he was in the fighting stage and I am a few years past that we shared a positive outlook, an inner strength not to give up and a great sense of humor. Heath and I also share a love for music. Everytime we would write to each other, we would always try to channel our positive feelings or frustrations into lyrics from a song. Two of his favorite songs are "I'm Free" and "High Hopes" which is about that ant trying to move that old rubber tree plant. When Heath entered the hospital in Tampa, he was able to get a 1-800 no. for me to call him at. We would speak on the phone 3-4 times a week durning my lunch hour from work. Heath was amazing...while in the hospital at Tampa he was trying to design a system to make a more positive, cheerful less frighting environment for patients as they spend weeks in the hospital for treatment. He wrote a proposal including a mission statement, environment scan, critical success factors, key objectives, action steps, etc. When Heath moved onto Seattle for his next stage of treatment, we lost the 1-800 no. so I had to call him from home. During those conversations, my ten year old daughter also spoke with him many times and she too fell in love with Heath. Heath profoundly changed, enriched everyone's life that met him. He was very successful in his battle, it's just the complications at the end that tired him out. Heath used to joke that Kim and I were his guardian angels sitting on each of his shoulders and I would reply we are the roses surounding a thorn. I still don't beleive Heath is gone, since I think of him constantly and feel very sad every Monday evening when I can't call him in Seattle. I treasure the snail mail, pictures and cards he sent to me. In addition to, his e-mail. I am also honored that I had a chance to speak with his mom Pixie and dad Robert on many occasions. As Heath's very brilliant light force was leaving him, he sent me a very special Christmas card which I will keep forever. The messages he wrote, with very painful handwriting were his good bye words to me, even though we didn't know it at that time. I miss & love you Heath and will still go to Planet H. in August and raise a glass of wine to you...Heath and I were going to meet there for lunch. He was going to meet the rest of my crazy family and we were going to celebrate his return to health. Love, Charlotte

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page