A couple weeks ago I mentioned some friends going through a rough time.  I couldn’t say a lot  then because they were keeping things quiet.

Now, I can say a little more.  

A good friend and colleague of Chris’ (they have known each other about 28 years) just said a permanent good-bye to his wife (who Chris has also  known since they were in late grade school).

After experiencing extreme vertigo for about a month, Drs realized that there was more going on and started doing some tests.  4 weeks ago she was admitted to the hospital while they tried to figure out what was going on.

One early  possibility was a form of encephalitis which does have a treatment option that could possibly reverse some of the damage.

However, 2 weeks ago, she was officially diagnosed with sporadic CJD – a fatal disease with no cure and no treatment.  

Our friend was faced with the heart breaking task of telling his kids that their mom was going to die soon.  (The kids are 14 & 16.)

Her decline was rapid and Sunday evening she took her very last breath – thankfully it was not painful for her.

4 weeks ago a young woman (she turned 43 the day after being admitted to the hospital) – a wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend – went into the hospital just expecting to have a few tests done, a diagnosis and then to go home feeling better.  Neither she nor her family had any idea that she would never go home again.

This was a huge wake-up call for me!  I don’t want something like this to cause me to feel regrets for things I didn’t make the priority that I should have.

I know that I’m guilty of putting things off and saying – “tomorrow” or “soon” but I’m not guaranteed tomorrow.  I am going to take this brutal life lesson and make sure that I take advantage of all the nows in my life!!!

Happy Wednesday!!  Cherish your friends and family today and every day!!!

Kim