Cheryl's Obituary

Family, friends and all who have prayed and offered your generous support, thank you for your support.

Cheryl's Obituary can be located at: Porter Loring

Sean and Rick

Three Roses, One Tear

Cheryl Lee Britton
19 August 1963-3 January 2008
Mother, Wife and Angel

At 1:50pm this afternoon, Cheryl finally decided we were prepared to follow on without her for a time. It was fifteen years ago today we spent our first night together in San Antonio as a family

We were able to place three beautiful pink roses beside her pillow before she passed, the nurses made an exception to not having flowers in the room for her. I have never smelled roses as sweet as those.

One rose representing her love for her family.
One rose to to mark her path through life and the happiness she shared.
The final rose and the largest, for her faith and strength and to show God and those preceding her and to shed her sunshine from high to better warm our hearts.

As I felt Cheryl moving on, one large tear ran slowly from her eye and down her cheek.

Sean and I and the rest of the family know you were saddened by leaving this way, the tear was noticed. We hope you enjoyed the small gift of flowers we were able to provide thanks to Mary Roza.

Good Night my darling.

Wednesday, 2 jan 08

Cheryl made it to the New Year.

Nancy, her mom arrived Monday night and Cheryl beamed when she came to the room. She stayed the night with Cheryl New Year's Eve.

Yesterday was really up and down for her. She was having trouble staying conscious and coherent and it was getting worse as the day went on. She's very frustrated and still having a lot of pain in her mouth.

Because of the damage to her mouth, she is still being fed IV and those supplements are playing hell on her system. Her pulse has been staying higher than normal and her B.P. is really going all over the place throughout the day. Also, her blood sugar is getting higher daily.

She was moved to ICU late evening to provide more thorough monitoring for her vitals and breathing. They are looking to give some type of respiratory support to help clear the fluids building up in her throat.

On the fight side for her though, she was giving the thumb's up and waving a lot yesterday and once as she was sitting on the side of the bed, she did a little dance to a commercial jingle on TV.

Its really between her and God now and I know she's towing her load.

Sunday Update

Whew, today has been a tough one.

Cheryl has developed severe pain deeper in her throat since early morning. Her cheeks and jaws have also caused her much pain today. She is very tired and while I know she will keep fighting, I can see that twinkle dimming just a little bit. She has relied on the morphine double today over any other day in her hospital stays this year.

Her mom is coming in tomorrow as is my brother. Her step-mom will be arriving in a day or two.

Kimberly and B visited this morning and Cheryl was able to tell Kimberly she wants her Ma here. Kimberly, B: I cannot thank you guys enough for being able to be here and have her tell you. It has been getting harder every day to find something to comfort her and being able to tell her Nancy is coming was a blessing.

Cheryl has another ten days or so for the ravages of the "suspect" DPD Deficiency / chemo drug 5-fu run their course. After that, she has the additional burden of any long term damage to her body and any infections that may create new problems.

Tomorrow will bring what it brings and we will pray for her strength to carry through.

For My Mother

Mom,

Fourteen years ago today you were called away. Through all this time, your love has been in my heart. You laughter in my ear. And you guidance in my spirit.

Cheryl and I have done our best to pass on to Sean all the good from those who taught us and I am certain you'd be proud of the young man he is tonight.

Today has been a challenge and I have put off clearing my thoughts for this day. I have felt you with me today and you have given me the strength and peace to accept things as they may be. I do admit that I had lost the optimism this week you would expect to help keep an eye on the good turn we pray will come. Thinking of you has helped me start to find that again.

Mother, Thank You