Blog: A Beloved Friend Lost to IBC

Jessica C. Disimoni, 59, born on January 14, 1953, in Los Angeles, CA, passed away July 17, 2012. She resided in Duarte, CA at the time of her passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Covina Hills, CA. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the aspca.org, gsrescue.org or sheprescue.org

Dear Readers: Over the past two years I have accompanied my friend as she battled Inflammatory Breast Disease and ultimately succumbed Tuesday morning.

Today, it seems as if everyone I meet has had the horror of cancer touch his or her family or friends. During the past three weeks since she announced her impending passing; nearly anyone I mentioned it to said, "I've been through it," or "I'm going through the same thing with a loved one."

It is one of the many forms of true self-love in which a person can honor him or herself taking care of his or her "body temple." Maintaining fitness, eating well, surrounding oneself with love, and in these modern times it is crucial to embrace preventive healthcare.

If you, Dear Reader, are resistant to annual exams and check ups. Please! If not for yourself do it for your loved ones. See your Dr. annually for preventive testing of any and all descriptions.

I've always been an advocate of preventive heathcare but walking this path with my friend was another lesson in caring for ourselves and families. Planning for the future also prevents hurt.

When I had a minor surgery on my pinkie the counselor at Kaiser asked me if I had an advanced directive. I responded, "WHAT? It's a tiny outpatient procedure!" Of course, that response was not unfamiliar to her. I should have said, "No, let's write it right now!"

We never know when it's our turn, or as my ex-husband so colorfully puts it, "when your number is up." Soooooooooooo, with that in mind I will be making all those advance plans. A trust so my son will have no hassles afterward, an advanced directive for the medical folks, and maybe I'll spring for the pre-paid cremation....ugh.

Let's consider our families, friends and loved ones as we embrace the moral of this sad, sad tale. We must all remember a broken heart can be as dibilitating as the illness itself.