December 2001

« November     Charlotte        January »

I am very sad to report that our friend Charlotte passed away sometime in October. I do not have alot of details, but she had heart surgery and never came too, and she lived for about a week.

Charlotte has a disease called Wegener's Granulomatosis UK. Last spring she lost her toes due to circulation in her feet from this disease. She returned to part time work in August after weeks in a rehab learning to walk again. Since then she has been battling just one thing after and other from the side effects of the drugs and disease. In Oct she was hospitalized 3 times and was back to emergency this weeks for fever and infections. Wegener's Granulomatosis is a form of vasculitis- inflammation of blood vessels, and an autoimmune disease - the body's immune system attacks it's own body tissues. The uncommon nature of this disease leaves patients feeling isolated, in a strange kind of way separated from those around them. Sadly the average GP and perhaps even local hospitals will never have heard of the illness. The patient gets shut in and only has a specialist at the clinic to talk to. It essential for the WG patient to have support from family and friends, as his/her body goes through physical and emotional turmoil. Support groups can play an important part at this most difficult time, hence the need for publicity. Cards will lift her spirits and hope to help her through this difficult time.

2/16/02 - I received 2 letters today from Charlotte. One to me personally, and one to ShareaCard. Here is the one to the group:

2/9/02
To my wonderful friends at ShareaCard.org,

I wish I could thank everyone of you personally for all your prayers and well wishes. They have and will always mean so much to me. I am once again battling the WG in my sinuses as well as the vasculitis in my feet (again) and hands. But this time we're sure we've caught it in time before any real damage can be done. My hands just give out real fast making it difficult to get my leathercraft done - so I take a bit longer to do what I used to do fast! It's so wonderful to know that there are other people who are more ill than I , but willing to share their time, energy and prayers. I'll not forget it. One day when I finally have a computer of my own I'll be sending wishes and prayers your way. God Bless you all, Sincerely, Charlotte N./Arizona

Here are just a couple excerpts from the letter she sent to me:

If love, prayers, good wishes and generosity could be bundled, there would not be enough room in my apartment for myself and my 2 cats! I've never known such an outpouring in my 58 years!...you will never know how much it all means to me - Charlotte