0a3905d5_e_Smoker_s_Memorial___Page_Two__Our_Memorial_Remembrance
[#] 13 [Date] 02/22/06 [Our Memorial Remembrance] 
This is the story of my Aunt Donna. I can remember her smoking since I was a young child along with my uncle, they both smoked Doral menthol lights. I don't know exactly how long she smoked but I'm sure it was at least 20 years, and it took it's toll on her. Aunt Donna was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer in late 1999. She had two teenage children, who I feel to this day have resented the fact that even after being diagnosed she continued smoking. In fact, her doctor told her that quitting was not the thing to do at the time due to the extra stress it would put on her. I was really suprised with his thoughts of her not quitting. She didn't and continued with chemo. Her children closed her out, acting like she wasn't even there for most of the last year of her life. She didn't want to be in a hospital so my mom and her sisters took care of her at her home, where they brought in a hospital bed and all the medication to make her comfortable. Late in 2000 we thought that the chemo was helping but the continuance of smoking, I'm sure, reversed any help the chemo may of done. Her health deteriorated drastically in early 2001. She wasn't able to eat much and was only drinking Tang. She was swollen and incoherent for most of the time during the day due to the medication she was on. September 11th was terrible day. I remember it well like all Americans do. But the day I remember most is September 12th 2001 the day cancer finally won it's battle with the life of my Aunt Donna. She had just celebrated her 39th birthday on February 8th. She left behind a husband and two children and has missed the birth of her granddaughter. She is a spitting image of the grandmother she will never know. We Love and miss you Aunt Donna!! Josh
The Smoker's Memorial - Page Two
Our Memorial Remembrance