MPNforum Magazine

On November 13, 2015 I lost the love of my life.

— Jim Flynn

Kathy Flynn was always the light in the room. People couldn’t help be attracted to her because of either her infectious smile or her incredible intelligence. Most times it was both. Any one would who knew her would say they were a better person for having met her. Kathy set a great example for her family and friends with her tenacious approach to fighting her ailments. She never let her disease be an excuse. She was determined to learn, understand, and share everything she could about her Myelofibrosis and Glioblastoma.

Through her participation in various forums, Kathy used “Plain English” to help educate newly diagnosed patients about their disease and the treatment options available to them. It was important to Kathy that what she shared was accurate which is why she spent countless hours doing the research. She wanted patients to have an accurate knowledge base that would allow them to become partners with their Doctors in the development of an appropriate treatment plan rather then bystanders being told what to do.

It has only been two months since Kathy left. My kids and I are slowly adjusting to our new “Normal.” We will go on with our lives just as Kathy urged us all to do. She made sure that we sought happiness and joy, not sadness and sorrow. Still, it is difficult not having her here with us. Even when she was sick and spending most of her days in bed, she was still here and it was her spirit that filled our household. Now she is gone and the house isn’t quite the same. It just seems big and empty. It will take time for that to change. In the meantime my kids and I will continue to pick up where Kathy’s example left off. We will focus our volunteer efforts on registering people for the bone marrow registry through the Love Hope Strength organization as well as fundraising with the American Cancer Society at the Relay for Life events.

Kathy may be gone physically but she is still here and will be for a very long time.

She had an amazing set of values which focused first and foremost on family and then on helping others. As a family, we honor her memory by doing the same and encouraging others to follow us along.

It’s what Kathy would have wanted.

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