Carol’s Story

Site created on December 4, 2018

Welcome to our CaringBridge page for Carol.  The purpose of this page is for communication and updates for family and friends, not donations, please disregard the CaringBridge donation plea. 
 
November 2nd Carol's world was turned upside down. She was experiencing some dizziness and had been taking medication for blood clots in her leg so was recommended to go to the ER where they found more blood clots in both legs and blood clots in her brain; they also found a tumor in her heart and believed the brain blood clots were coming from it. She experienced a small stroke with no lasting deficits. She was scheduled for emergency open heart surgery a few days later; meanwhile, to our surprise, they found cancer in her liver.

Carol's heart surgery was successful and she received a valve replacement.  Her cardiac recovery is going well. However, a couple of new blood clots have been found on her new valve. When she was in rehab for the open-heart surgery, she met with her oncologist who had the shocking news that she had 4th stage cancer that was aggressive and had spread to her liver with a large mass and many small pockets throughout her liver. A week or so later he informed her he had found the source- the bile duct. The cancer most likely is a major contributing cause of the blot clots. Due to her blood clots and small strokes he thought it dangerous to pursue chemotherapy. Also, the cancer couldn’t be cured by chemo and has damaging side effects.

Though she trusts her oncologist, Carol is seeking second opinions. 

Great news came on Tuesday, January 9th from her oncologist! She is a candidate for a targeted drug therapy. GAME CHANGER!

Carol is feeling healthy and regaining her strength and energy to walk and participate in normal activities - she is grateful everyday for this. This has all happened very fast and Carol would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your prayers and well wishes. She is choosing to focus on these three virtues: gratitude, compassion and forgiveness; all which exemplify her positive attitude, spiritual faith, wonderful nature and love.  

We appreciate your support, prayers and positive thoughts for Carol and her family. They give us strength and hope to BELIEVE in miracles.

Newest Update

In Memoriam

Journal entry by Courtney Peters —

Here is the link for Carol’s obituary:

https://www.donnellanfuneral.com/obituaries/Carol-Louise-Shaw-Woodard?obId=20075986#/obituaryInfo

Thank you for your love and prayers for our dear Carol as she fought her battle against cancer the past two years. Your support and kind notes to our family were greatly appreciated.  

On Saturday, May 22 we will be having our Memorial Mass for Carol in Winnetka, IL at Saints Faith Hope & Charity.  In attendance will be family and local friends. Following the mass, there will be a private Interment at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

The mass will be at 9:30am CST and streamed live at the following link and it will also be recorded for future viewing. 

https://vimeo.com/548497833/68e432e09c

 

With God's Blessing,

The Shaw Family

 

Author’s note: This is our last journal entry. Thank you for your engagement on this site...from the meal support when Carol was first hit with so many medical obstacles to the encouraging comments. Some of my most precious memories is when we wrote the entries together or when she wrote a few herself. Through it all she carried her special light, strength and positivity. Carol felt blessed to have all of the support here and throughout her battle. Thank you on her behalf as well as our entire family.  

 

May we all continue to shine brightly, live and love well and be kind to Mother Earth and each other.

 

We BELIEVE Carol is always with us. 

Read More of the journal titled "In Memoriam"
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