Sheila’s Story

Site created on May 7, 2018

Welcome to our CaringBridge website for my sister Sheila. This site is a great way to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope--and HUMOR! (Sheila's drug of choice). Thank you for visiting and know that we are immensely grateful for the love and encouragement.

As you may know, in 2018 Sheila was  diagnosed with Stage 3 HER2 breast cancer--a very aggressive cancer.  She met that challenge head-on, with grit and courage, and for a time we thought she was out of the woods. However, over the past few months she developed debilitating headaches and extreme weakness, and tests revealed multiple growths in her brain. She underwent radiation for that and the headaches subsided somewhat.


More recently, she has lost strength in her legs and is experiencing severe pain in her back. Further tests detected additional masses on her spine and in a lung, as well as pneumonia in one lung. She is currently undergoing treatment for all of these, but the toll on her body and her psyche has been brutal.


Covid adds its own unforgiving slant to everything. We can't safely just 'drop in' on her..we can't hold her or lay with her when she just needs to be  held. 
She is fighting this with everything she's got, and those of you who know her know that THAT is a lot. 


I am asking you to continue sending prayers, love and grace her way to cradle her at this difficult time. 


My sister is strong and resilient and she continues to handle this with courage and humor.  Not only is she a wonderful mom, daughter, and sister, she is one of the most giving souls I've ever known.   Now she needs all of us to come together and help her through this very difficult time.  I have been through cancer--twice--and I can tell you that the prayers and positive energy make ALL the difference. She cannot do this alone.

I will be making frequent updates to this site, so we ask that you limit your personal texts and calls to Sheila at this time as it can feel overwhelming to her and that is counter productive.

From our family to yours, please stay safe and healthy......and BELIEVE.

Blessings*

Newest Update

June 29, 2020

Journal entry by Lisa Guilfoile —

To all family and friends...
It breaks my heart to share this. Our sweet Sheila transitioned peacefully on Thursday, June 25 surrounded by family.
She deteriorated so quickly those last few days that I couldn't bring myself to update her site. I was afraid to leave her side or turn my attention to anyone or anything else.

In true Sheila form, she fought bravely to the end and left in her own time. That last day she was visited by extended family and some very dear friends and we all got the sense that she felt at peace about everything. I am crying as I write this but I know I speak for all of us when I say it is a blessing to know that her suffering has ended. On every level. I find peace knowing that she is on the other side watching over us all.

We will be posting an obituary in the next couple of days and we'll send out the link for you to view and leave your comments/stories. Thank you for all the love, prayers and support these past couple of years. Sheila left an indelible mark on all of us.
Blessings to all and be mindful to cherish every moment. 


With gratitude,
Lisa     aka - Big Sister Extraordinaire!!!
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