Saturday, April 04, 2009

Thinking of You, Barbara

Amy from My Friend Amy led a discussion the other day about connection versus community here on the blogosphere. I throw around the words "blogging community" all the time, and so you can guess where I stand on the issue.

This past week I found out that one of our own is in the hospital and not faring too well. The doctors are not hopeful; in fact, they are not sure what they are dealing with. Barbara and I are a part of an online book group, which is where I have gotten to know her. We talk about books and life and all that other good stuff. She's always struck me as an intelligent and thoughtful woman. Some of you may know her too. Perhaps you are in a reading challenge with her or have visited her blog, Heidi's Books. Maybe you've rubbed elbows with her in a reading group.

Barbara had a brain biopsy today and another test has been ordered. The surgeons are not sure what they will find. They are hoping to determine whether she has a hereditary illness or perhaps a virus that is attacking her brain. The prognosis is very poor at this stage regardless as her condition is deteriorating rapidly. She has had to deal with multiple health issues all her life but she has not let them stop her from living as full a life as possible. She has a wonderful family who are by her side right now.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. And think of her family too. I cannot imagine what they are going through right now, but I know they need all the love and support they can get.



Barbara, my friend, I am so lucky to know you.

27 comments:

  1. Wendy,
    Thanks for letting us know about Barbara and my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family and with you.

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  2. I'll pray for her and her family. Best wishes to all.

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  3. That's horrible! I hope she gets well soon! She'll be in my thoughts.

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  4. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Barbara, but I do hope that all goes well and she makes a healthy return.

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  5. How kind and thoughtful of you to let the rest of us know how we can pray for Barbara. Please keep us updated on her progress and diagnosis.

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  6. I am so incredibly saddened to hear this. Barbara and I had quite the "rivalary" going on this summer when the Red Wings were playing the Penguins for the Stanley Cup. We developed a friendship and I have been wondering what she has been up to lately, though I assumed it was because of her newest grandchild. Please, please keep me updated, and if you have some way to communicate with her please let know she is in my thoughts and prayers. She needs to stay strong... the playoffs are coming up! I wish I had her address still...

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  7. I will definitely keep her in my thoughts and prayers.

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  8. OMG, that's awful. I hope that something good will happen to turn it around for her. I wish her well and offer positive energy to you, her other friends, and most importantly her family.

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  9. Thoughts and prayers going up for Barbara, her family and you.

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  10. How kind and thoughtful to share about another blogger and you are right, bloggers are part of a community! I'll pray for Barbara and her family,please keep us posted on her progress.

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  11. I don't know Barbara, but I'll definitely be praying for her and her family. Thanks for letting us know, Wendy.

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  12. I'll keep her in my thoughts and prayers, Wendy.

    cjh

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  13. Wendy....So sorry to hear about your friend. I will say prayers and send White Light to surround her with healing power.

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  14. I don't know Barbara, but I wish her the best. It's amazing how close we can become to our online book groups. I've been a part of one for over 4 years now and would miss them terribly if I left.

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  15. Although I don't know her, it is always hard to hear about someone you know online who is going through such a difficult time. I will be thinking of your friend.

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  16. I don't know Barbara and I had not visited her blog, but I will be praying for her.

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  17. Thank you everyone for your kind words and positive thoughts and prayers. I am sure it means a lot to Barbara and her family. I know it does to me.

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  18. Thank you for posting these kind and beautiful thoughts about Barbara. I am so worried about her. Hopefully we will get some more answers tomorrow.

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  19. Oh my...this is so tragic, I don't know her but it's really sad to happen to anyone. Barbara is in my thoughts too, Hopefully she'll get well soon...

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  20. I don't know Barbara but I feel so sad for her and her family. I hope she'll get well soon!

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  21. What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing. I hope Barbara has more friends like you :)

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  22. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Barbara through her blog but my prayers and thoughts will be with her and her family. I pray that she will return to being healthy again.

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  23. Thanks for a sweet tribute to a dear member of our online reading group, Barbara. My prayers are with her and her family.

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  24. I've not met Barabara through her blog but am so sorry to hear this. I do believe that a lot of good thoughts, prayers and wishes help and definitely will send some her way.

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  25. Oh, I've never met Barbara, but my thoughts and prayers are now with her and her family. This was a very kind and thought-filled post, Literary Feline.

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  26. I'm thinking of her and her family and praying for them.

    --Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

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